Their basic assumption is that the characteristics of the human species as a whole are a product of evolution and that individual differences are due to each person’s unique genetic code. Environmentalists hold the assumption that at birth, the human mind is a “blank slate,” and that this is gradually filled as a result of experience. From this point of view, psychological characteristics and behavioral differences that emerge through infancy and childhood are the result of learning. It is how you are brought up that governs the psychologically significant aspects of child development” (McLeod, 2007). HOW HAS CURRENT THEORY BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE NATURE VS. NURTURE CONTROVERSY?
Someone could be born with genes to give them a normal height, but be malnourished in childhood, resulting in stunted growth and a failure to develop as expected. Both of these topics develop a person as a whole, Nature and Nurture determine the development of a person, but heredity, location, and environment affects the upbringing. During the upbringing of a child, heredity plays a vital role in determining a person’s predispositions as well as developmental potential. Scientists for years have known that traits such as eye color, hair color, and even how tall a person will be is determined by specific genes encoded in each human’s cell. The nature theory goes further in describing in more detail that intelligence, aggression, and even personality are also in an individual’s DNA.
Effects of Nature Versus Nurture on Human Behaviour Emily Lampson July 2, 2015 Nature versus nurture is the debate over what causes the development of an individual’s specific psychological and behavioral characteristics. On one side is nature, which lends our development to genetics and believes our behaviour and psychology is formed before birth. Typically, the earlier certain traits appear the more likely they are to be determined by genetics (1). On the other side is nurture. The nurture stance believes we are born as a blank slate and our specific psychological and behavioural characteristics are determined by our environment.
The Bible warns us that our influences can change our behaviors (see 1 Corinthians 15:33). Therefore, I do believe that our personality, intelligence, and other factors are partly genetically influenced, but I also believe that environments in which we are placed are also responsible for shaping us as well. History of the Nature Versus Nurture Issue The debate over nature vs. nurture is an ancient one (Myers, 2013, p. 6). The
Therefore, the role differences we observe are more of a product of our biological inheritance than acquired through socialisation. As the evolutionary approach is a biological one, it suggests that aspects of human behaviour have been coded by our genes because they were or are adaptive. However, a debate of this approach is the nature vs. nurture approach, nature supporting the evolutionary approach being that we have evolved through survival value and its ability to increase an individual’s opportunities to pass on their genes, an example showing this was Bowlby’s theory of attachment – concerning the role of evolution is the explanation of stress as an adaptive response to environmental pressures. Animals born without such responses die quickly. Nurture, on the other hand, is a view proposed by the social approach suggesting behaviour is affected by experience and environment.
The twin studies are a popular debate, which challenges the thought of nurturing rather than nature. If they are identical it is certainly genes but having the same interests doesn’t show much evidence it can be thought as just a coincident. Other evidence that nature is a big possibility. Looking at the ‘Bruce Reimer’ case it shows how nature is a big part of life. As he had a failed circumcision operation as a child his mother got in touch with a highly famous doctor at that period, ‘Doctor Money.’ His theory was fairly simple, as Bruce was only a young baby when the operation had taking place, Doctor Money thought he couldn’t possibly know the difference between being a boy or a girl.
We often think what makes us who we are today or why we act the way we do. Is it the environment that leads us to think and act in certain ways or is it already in our genes. These thoughts cause us to think about the nature and nurture debate. The 2 life stages I am going to talk about are 4-9 (childhood) and 10-18 (adolescence). Nature is all of the genes and hereditary factors that influence who we are such as our physical appearances (eye colour, hair colour, height, weight and skin colour) and our personalities (physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills) you could also get genetic diseases such as down’s syndrome , fragile X syndrome.
The nature vs. nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Nature is often defined in this debate as genetic or hormone-based behaviors, while nurture is most commonly defined as environment and experience. History of the Nature vs. Nurture Debate The nature vs. nurture debate is an ongoing one. The modern debate often centers around the effect genes have on human personalities as opposed to the influences that early environment and development might have. As cultural mores have changed, so have popular understandings of this debate.
(2000) viewpoint is most valid. However, there will no question continue to be numerous research on this highly disputable topic. An individual may get their green eyes from their mother and their brown hair from their father, but neither of their parents have a talent for singing and neither of them like roller coasters. This person, however, can belt it out with the best of them and seeks out thrills. From where do these characteristics come?
Those who favor the nature side believe that an individual grows in a chronological order that is affected by evolution and genetics. For instance, they believe because humans usually walk before they talk or speak one word before two words, everything in which a human does has a place in the chronological order of development. Those who believe in nurture believe that environmental experiences are what most important factors that aids in development. They believe that environmental experiences are biological and social. A biological environment can be in the form of nutrition and medical treatment and experiences.