M1 :Discuss the nature-nurture debate in relation to the development of an individual In this assignment I will be discussing the nature- nurture debate in relation to the development of an individual. The nature- nurture debate has been around for many centuries which argues about the role of heredity and environment in human development. The nature – nurture debate is concerned with particular aspects of behaviour which are believed to be either a product of inherited or learned characteristics. Some philosophers and theorists have argued that we are just born to be the way we are. Whereas other theorists have argued that is is the way we are brought up and influenced by our surroundings that makes an individual the way they are.
THEME: NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY Module code: PSYC 322 Module Supervisor: Dr Van der Merwe Module Facilitator: Ms Marinda Henning Subject Facilitator: Dr Walker-Williams Student: 23269200 C.P Blaai Date: 10 -09-2014 1. Introduction Neuropsychology is the study of brain–behaviour relations, and developmental neuropsychology is the study of how those relations develop in both typical and atypical cases. More recently, with advances in neural network models, neuro imaging, and genetics, a field of developmental cognitive neuroscience has emerged that tests links across several levels of analysis: etiology, brain development, neuropsychology, and behavioral symptoms (Pennington, 2009, p.72). This chapter consists of integration of the branch of neuropsychology and branch of psychopathology with particular reference to the case study provided. 2.
THEORIES OF LEARNING: Piaget’s Theory of Intellectual Development. Piaget’s theory has two main parts, the first relates to how knowledge is acquired, and the second deals with the particular order in which different ways of thinking develop(Nixon & Aldwinckle, 2002).Piaget suggests that intelligence is adaptation, and as we begin to experience our environment we must adjust to it. Piaget also reflects that humans are naturally predisposed in acquiring information in an order that makes sense to survive in the world (Nixon & Aldwinckle, 2002). Piaget also explains the term “schemata” as the way we mentally organize our experiences of the world, and adaptation occurs as a result of assimilation and accommodation, which is the process of responding to new events, or objects, using existing mental structures (Nixon & Aldwinckle, 2002). Piaget’s theory of intellectual development is broken down into four stages; Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete operational, and Formal operational (Nixon & Aldwinckle, 2002).
An individual’s response to their environment can appear as though it is an impulse act. This occurs because information is transmitted to the mind, is processed immediately, and the behavior is the result of completion. Cognition involves discovering, recognizing, studying, investigating, learning, or making decisions (Ruisel, 2010). It is composed of the ways that the mind functions, thinks, and uses information that results in an individual’s behavior. Interdisciplinary Perspective Cognitive psychology is a branch of psychology;
Definition of Cognitive Psychology Cognition is a term referring to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, including thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem solving. Not only is cognitive psychology central to everything a person does in his or her everyday life, it is also central to psychology’s quest to understand how people think and act. Cognitive psychology is a key player within the interdisciplinary field of study termed “cognitive science.” Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary effort to understand the mind. Cognitive science includes a number of disciplines, five of them plus cognitive psychology lying at its core. Interdisciplinary Perspective in relation to cognitive psychology Cognitive psychologists’ focus on these various functions of the mental process and how information is acquired, processed, and stored.
Synaptic Plasticity explains how the brain changes and adapts in fundamental ways. When the brain is engaged in a new learning experience, the brain creates neuron pathways. neural pathways, also known as circuits, are passageways made for communicating neurons. When a person has the ability to learn new ideas quickly, the neurons receive and create new passageways for a quicker route to store information. All of the neurons have a meeting point called the Synapse.
Running Head: BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER Biological Psychology Paper Robyn A. Cole Biopsychology, PSY 340 Rebecca L. Wilson, Psy.D. University of Phoenix February 1, 2010 Biological Psychology Paper Encyclopedia Britannica defines biological psychology as being, “… concerned primarily with the relationship between psychological processes and the underlying physiological events—or, in other words, the mind-body phenomenon. Biological psychology concentrates on the role of the brain, along with the central nervous system (CNS), with behaviors such as thinking, learning and feeling. Psychology began its journey in the 18th century and started out as a part of philosophy. As the text states, it started with a concern for, “…explaining the processes of thought by using the technique of introspection (i.e., self-reflection)” (Wickens, 2005).
Feldman (2009) defines the nature nurture debate as the issue of the degree to which environment and hereditary factors influence the behaviour. According to Flanagan (2002) nature refers to behavioural or physical traits found in a developing child that are due to genetic factors. Feldman (2009:39) says “nature refers to hereditary factors, characteristics and tendencies that influence development.” Thus nature can be defined as inborn characteristics such as generic diseases evident in a developing child. Santrock (2004) defines nurture as environmental factors that have an influence on the development of a human being. According to Bernstein (2011) nurture refers to all environmental influence, after the birth of a child that affects development.
Introduction State what you are doing in the essay This response will attempt to uncover the assumptions and interrelationships of the evolutionary explanation for emotion, in particular, disgust. Define evolution Evolution is the changing in the inherited traits of a species over time. Describe the theory of evolution Evolutionary psychology is at the biological level of analysis and aims to explain all behaviour by evolutionary means. Charles Darwin – the father of evolutionary psychology – proposed the theory of evolution. He suggested those who adapt best to environmental challenges will have a greater chance of survival, reproduction, and passing on genes.
The Cognitive Learning Theory explains why the brain is the most incredible network of information processing and interpretation in the body as we learn things. This theory can be divided into two specific theories: the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and the Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). When we say the word “learning”, we usually mean “to think using the brain”. This basic concept of learning is the main viewpoint in the Cognitive Learning Theory (CLT). The theory has been used to explain mental processes as they are influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which eventually bring about learning in an individual.