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Nature v nurture debate
Debate over nature or nurture
Debate over nature or nurture
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Nature v nurture debate
Debate over nature or nurture
Debate over nature or nurture
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Nature v nurture debate
In the popular nature vs nurture psychological debate, nurture argues that people are molded or influenced by their environment. Aileen Wuornos was influenced by her environment in her childhood. Jane E Brody states, “Children learn from what they see around them, and if what they mainly experience is
1. It seems to me that if our variables in the nature vs. nurture controversy are a) biological and b) environmental, then twins would, in theory, illuminate the biological variable since we can assume that a set of identical twins will be the same biologically. It also seems to me that this assumption may be false, but if it is correct then looking at twins that were raised apart will give some good data on the nurture variable. If the twins are raised apart, did they develop the same level of intelligence or not. Which brings us to number 2.
An obstacle in the middle of developmental psychology’s advancement has stumped psychologists for many decades. Psychologists from all over the spectrum have argued this question, but with particular interest from those with a nativist view in which “certain kinds of knowledge are innate or inborn” (Schacter 5) and nurturists which believe that rearing is stronger than innate characteristics. The nature and nurture discussion has been prevalent for many years in history and has had its share of debates for decades from renowned scientists like Rene Descartes, an early explorer of the human brain (Lecture), and John B. Watson, founder of the behaviorist school of thought (Lecture). More recently, however the deliberation has been illustrated in the case of Bruce Reimer. Bruce Reimer was born with an identical twin, Brian Reimer, on August 22, 1965 in Winnipeg, Canada to parents Ron and Janet Reimer.
The textbook explains biopsychosocial perspectives the best when it comes to human behavior and psychology. I believe that to understand psychology and human behavior, there needs to be a combination of all three: biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. The textbook explains that the "biopsychosocial perspective suggests that these factors are highly interactive: It 's not just the convergence of factors that matters, but the way they interact" (Licht, Hull and Ballantyne 13). I would feel that when a person would need to be assessed, in order for the evaluation to be comprehensive, there would definitely need to be a multi-faceted approach that integrates all three: biological, psychological, and social factors. A perfect example
The evolutionary perspective of psychology focuses on how natural selection has given rise to traits that promote the survival of genes. The tendency of depressive symptoms is not always maladaptive; natural selection has proven it to be adaptive in certain environments. The functional purpose of depression is the ability to withdrawal from unfavourable situations as a defense strategy. Evolution has favoured certain depressive symptoms for just that purpose: being anxious and uneasy encourages skepticism and attentiveness towards potential threats or threatening situations, mental and physical fatigue motivates conserving energy and motivation when the continued attempts are not likely to be successful, and the obsessive replaying of negative events, called rumination, can play a crucial role in understanding the causes and consequences of situations and how to avoid repeating the same mistakes. These depressive symptoms to unfavourable situations have become adaptive and encouraged our ancestors to survive.
Nature is the genetics in which a child inherits from their ancestors through DNA. Certain traits, such as intelligence, are proven to be passed through nature. Others however, such as anger, are debated both ways. Nurture is the external factors in one’s upbringing, including one’s environment, family, and culture. Both of these factors are proven to be the cause of a child’s disposition later in life, through the novel Frankenstein.
Chapter 1: History, Theory & Research Strategies 1.) When we say that an ability or trait is due to nature, we are saying that the ability or trait was inherited genetically from one’s parents at the moment of conception. The concept of nature is different from the effects of nurture because nurture is conceived traits that one gets from their environment. An example of a nurtured trait will be someone’s personality while an example of a natured trait will be eye color. There is also the idea of nature via nurture this means that both genes and environment affect every human characteristic.
For years, the nature versus nurture debate has caused a fuss and has been a functioning component in the field of psychology. The debate simply analyses the amount of contribution of certain factors to one’s life. Depression was one of the continuous debates undertaken in the science of psychology for years. According to Rowe (1983), “Depression is as old as the human race, and rare is the person who has not felt its touch”. Furthermore, depression has affected everyone but in different levels.
The controversy started back in the sixties, which theory makes more sense, the nature theory or the nurture theory? Both have great points of idealism in each theory. The nature theory is based more on the genes of the person, and the nurture theory is based on the environment the person is in. Which one makes more of a difference in personality and behavior? In the nature theory, the belief is that the genetics of a person play a huge role in the behavioral and thought processes.
Nature vs. nurture has been a long ongoing debate for many years. This is also the case for how nature vs nurture relates to intelligence and intellectual functioning. In this paper we 'll take a close look at how intelligence and intellect are different and how they are defined. The historical foundations of intelligence will be discussed along with some of the researchers that came up with different ideas for intelligence and how it works. What role and how much heredity and environment play in intelligence and intellect.
Nature and nurture is a psychological debate that has been going on for many years and it questions whether our genes or our environment have a greater impact on how we develop, grow and act the way we do. When you are born you don’t have certain preferences or traits, it is as you grow up that you develop into a unique individual. There are many people that argue on the side of nurture meaning the way you are raised and the environment you are in and how that impacts you as a person and who you become and also that your personality develops as you grow. However others argue that your life is controlled by the nature side of things where it’s entirely your genetic makeup that makes you who you are. Zimbardo and Milgram would be two well known people who would support the idea that our environment is critical in who we become.
The nature vs. nurture debate centers on whether human behaviour and personality are inherited (nature) or acquired (nurture); in other words, whether a person’s environment or a person’s genetic inheritance determines their behaviour and personality. Goldsmith and Harman (1994) adopt a neutral position, in which both nature and nurture influence people, stating that they “believe that the fundamental issue concerns the interplay between characteristics of the individual and of the relationship” (54). Goldsmith and Harman discuss temperament and attachment for infant, with temperament being linked to the nature side of the debate and attachment being linked with the nurture side; as a result, the infant’s temperament influences the attachment bond between the infant and the mother, but the attachment bond influences the temperament of the child as well. Therefore, both nature and nurture interact with each other to produce people’s behaviour (Harman et al. 54). Andersen and Berk (1998) take on the nurture perspective, while Leary (1999) claims that nature is the determining factor of a person’s personality.
For nearly 150 years, research scientists have studied and debated the origins of human intelligence. The phrase “Nature vs. Nurture” has become the proxy by which scientists and philosophers signal their beliefs: the “nature” argument for those who believe in hereditary origins and the “nurture” position which proposes that environmental factors can influence this human trait (“Intelligence Debate”). Modern theorists, such as Professor Eva Krapol from King’s College and Professor Regina Sullivan of New York University are major proponents of the “nature” and “nurture” position, respectively. These spokespersons continue to advocate vociferously their positions in stark, black and white terms. However, the more rational approach is less stark
The topic of nature-nurture is one that has been disputed over many years by social scientists within expert writings and trendy media outlets. Arguments made by Nature enthusiast challenge the nurture devotees by saying that there are biological considerations and genetic compositions to explain the human mannerism. Meanwhile, the nurture devotees contradict by saying environmental influences, such as family, religion, schooling and social media, are the outlines of behavioral growth. Also keep in mind that some characteristics, such as social aptitude, are
In the former years there has been continuous debate pertaining to the factors that influence a child’s development. Some say that child development is influenced by genetics, also known as nature. While others are certain that despite your genetics, environmental influence is the most important determinate. I on the other hand, say that nature and nurture are inseparable constructs of prenatal development. Research done on teratogens, prenatal nutrition, and Down syndrome support this claim.