Nature Nurture Debate - 1499 Words

This report compares and contrasts the nature-nurture debate in relation to the development of the individual. Introduction The nature vs. nurture debate focusses on the extent to which aspects of behaviour are a due to either inherited (genetic) or acquired (learned) characteristics1. Historically, some theorists have argued that we are born to be the way we are. Others have argued that it is the way we are brought up and influenced by our surroundings that makes us the way we are2. A fixed belief in either one of these theories is referred to as Determinism, whereas a belief that a person’s life can be influenced by the choices they make is known as the ‘free will’ viewpoint. The most commonly held belief, however, is that it is a†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, children who are exposed to second-hand smoke may develop cancers more often than those who do not3. While it is well established that traits such as eye and hair colour are determined by specific genes, the Nature Theory takes this further, attributing some traits such as intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation to an individual s DNA. The search for behavioural genes is the source of constant debate, one of the most controversial of which is the existence of a gay gene, suggesting that there may be a genetic component to sexual orientation4. Similarly, can aggressive behaviour and criminality be the result of a behavioural gene? The study of twins has indicated this possibility to some extent as when twins are brought up separately, they show similarities in behaviour and response as if they had not been apart5. According to Maturation Theory, child development is a biological process that occurs in predictable stages over time6. Some parts of development, such as the ability to speak, are thought to be due to genetic processes. Children ‘naturally’ become interested in their environment and the sounds and signs they see around them, bringing out their ability to speak. Although development may be guided by genes, they cannot work without an environment. For example, a deaf child will not start to speak a language but instead may learn sign language, if the people around them are usingShow MoreRelatedNature Nurture Debate922 Words   |  4 PagesThe nature versus nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Within the field of psychology, this so-called nature-nurture debate, is very often associated with the issue of intellectual quotient, better known as I Q. In the past psychologists have argued that the way in which a child developed was based solely on nature, genetic or hormone-based behaviors, or nurture, environmentRead MoreThe Debate On Nature And Nurture1055 Words   |  5 PagesThis is possibly one of the hardest debates to try and describe to someone. On its face, it’s pretty simple, or black and white. It’s an â€Å"either/or† debate. Having had similar debates where nature and nurture were discussed as possible reasons for X, I have always been more comfortable with the idea that it’s not so much a matter of Nature or Nurture, but rather a sliding scale on which Nature and Nurture represent the opposing ends of the scale. The research I’m finding is showing this to be theRead MoreThe Debate Of Nature And Nurture1771 Words   |  8 Pagesall know, the debate of nature and nurture is one of the oldest debates in the history of psychology. The argument between the two is concerned with whether behavior is inherited or acquired. Nature is behavior that is genetically inherited. Nature is thought of as pre-wiring because it is believed that we inherit our genes from our parents, therefore, our traits are directly linked to our behavior. Nurture on the other hand is behavior that is learned or acquired over time. Nurture is thought ofRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture : The Debate Of Nature Versus Nurture895 Words   |  4 PagesNature vs. Nurture The debate of nature versus nurture has been an ongoing debate for a long time. When applying this argument to education there is no proven winner. The nature side of the coin believes that a person is born the way that they are. This could include intelligence level or personality traits such as being outgoing or shy. The other side of the argument of nurture believes that the type of upbringing that someone has will play a large role in the way they develop. It is thoughtRead MoreNature Vs Nurture Debate1343 Words   |  6 Pagescontroversial to psychologist since the phrase was created in 1869 is â€Å"Nature vs Nurture†. Although the debate was started well before then, 1869 was the first time it was tied to the debate. The nature vs nurture debate is over whether you get your behavior from genetics, what you inherited from your biological parents, or if they are learned characteristics, what you learn from the environment and what you get taught. The debate can be traced back to early western philosophy and is still relevantRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture Debate1427 Words   |  6 Pagesparents use authoritarian methods and punishment.† The nature Vs nurture debate has been around since 1690 created by the philosopher John Locke who believed we as humans do not have natural, inborn ideas; that our minds are a blank page, upon which experience shall write. Nurture is everything and nature is simply nothing. â€Å"Nature is what we think of as pre-wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors. Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external factorsRead MoreThe Debate Of Nature V. Nurture1688 Words   |  7 Pages statistics, and the macro perspective of experiences, only then can we find what we think may be the truth. A specific example of a controversial sociological topic is the debate of nature v. nurture. This debate has been going on for a very long time, and it really depends on who you talk to about it. What nature v. nurture refers to is that you are either the person you are because of heredity, or you are who you are because of society and are thus, a product of your environment. People s experiencesRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture Debate878 Words   |  4 Pagespersonalities and traits produced by genetics or shaped by the environment? Or, is there a relationship between nature and nurture with regards to child development? The debate continues. While some believe â€Å"nature and nurture work together, others believe they are separate and opposing influences† (McDevitt, 2010). Nature vs Nurture In regards to the nature vs. nurture debate, â€Å"this debate is a major issue in many social science disciplines and is concerned with the influence that biology, geneticsRead MoreNature Vs. Nurture Debate1366 Words   |  6 PagesPSYS 150 Assessment Task 1 Nature-Nurture Debate Scientists and biologist have argued the Nature versus Nurture debate for decades. This debate argues the degree to which our genetics or environment, affects our behaviour and developmental stages. Nature is described as the genetic material that makes up an individual. Nurture can be described as the way in which the environment and experiences of an individual influence their behavior and development. The debate has centered on which is a greaterRead MoreThe Debate On Nature Versus Nurture Essay969 Words   |  4 Pagesdetermine its form† (Fraser). The debate on nature versus Nurture has been a mystery for years now, constantly begging the question on what has a greater effect on the human development of humans. Is human behavior, ideas, and feelings innate or are they learned over time. Nature, or genetic influences, are formed before birth and shaped through early experiences. Genes are viewed as long and complicated chains that are present thought life and develop over t ime. Nature supporters believe that genes