Final answer:
The resistance to recognizing the role of biology in personality by some psychologists is due to the attractiveness of the 'blank slate' view which posits that personality is shaped entirely by environment rather than being influenced by biological factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The resistance by some psychologists to acknowledge the important role of biology in human personality may best be explained by the appeal of the blank slate view. This perspective has historical prevalence, suggesting that personalities are formed entirely through environmental factors and learned behaviors, rather than being influenced by genetic predispositions or inherent biological mechanisms.
Behaviorists like B.F. Skinner emphasized the role of the environment in shaping behavior, arguing against biological determinism. However, the biological approach to psychology considers genetic factors and physiological processes as significant in explaining variations in personality. Humanistic psychologists, such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, have introduced perspectives that focus on intrinsic growth potential, suggesting a balance between biological factors and personal agency.
Moreover, the introduction of sociobiology and its linking of genes with behaviors further challenges the pure behaviorist view by considering the role of natural selection and genetic inheritance in human behavior. Nevertheless, the debate between nature and nurture remains active, with modern psychological science generally recognizing the interactive effects of both biological and environmental influences on personality development.