Nature vs Nurture

Nature

Human characteristics and knowledge are innate and hereditary. Transferred from generations. Nativism.

How is nature calculated?

The hereditary coefficient is used to assess how hereditary something is. From 0-1.0, if entirely genetically determined= 1 entirely determined by environment= 0

Nurture

Human characteristics is influenced by learning and environment. Empiricism.

What is the importance of hereditary and environment?

Nature and nurture both have an influence on most behaviours. Therefore, they focus on the impact. On scale which one has most influence

Interactionist approach

Nature and nurture are so linked that it doesn’t make sense to seperate them, instead look at how they interact and influence each other

Diathesis stress model

Belief that the best explanations of mental health illnesses are those that interact between nature and nurture. Suggests that psychopathology is caused by a biological vulnerability (diathesis) which is expressed by a trigger often environment (stressor)

Epigenetics

Environment leaves marks on our genetic code that is passed onto the new generation. Dias and Ressler have lab mice electric shocks each time they were exposed to a chemical. Mice showed fear when smelling the chemical. Children/grandchildren of the mice showed fear when smelling the chemical

Nature Evaluation- Practical Application

Can create biological based treatments.

Nature evaluation- Social Sensitivity

Can be seen as ‘scientific racism’. Jenson found average I.Q of black Americans were lower than whites and argued was a result of genetic factors

Nurture Evaluation- Practical Application

Behaviour shaping, leading to therapy. Desirable behaviours reinforced, undesirable punished

Nurture Evaluation- Social sensitivity

Theories such as ‘schizophrenic mother’ where there is blame towards the parents for the poor psychological development of the child. Heavier towards women

Interaction Evaluation- Research support

Suggests people create their own nurture by selecting an environment that is well suited to their nature.