Nature Vs Nuture

Socialisation

The process by which individuals learn and adopt the values, norms, and behaviors of their culture, often through family, peers, and education.

Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment

A study demonstrating observational learning where children imitated aggressive behaviors after being exposed to aggressive models.

Feral children

Children who have grown up with minimal or no human contact, showing deficits in language and social skills, highlighting the importance of socialisation.

Cultural differences

Variations in social norms across different societies, which shape and influence behavior.

Mead’s study of Samoan vs. American adolescents

Research showing that Samoan adolescents transition to adulthood with less stress than American adolescents, attributed to differing cultural norms.

Life experiences / trauma

Life events, particularly traumatic experiences, that shape personality and behavior throughout a person's life.

Widom’s longitudinal study

Research demonstrating that childhood abuse or neglect significantly increases the risk of adult aggression and mental health issues.

Genetic influences

The impact that heredity has on traits such as intelligence, aggression, and mental health.

Gottesman twin studies

Research finding higher rates of schizophrenia in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins, indicating a genetic component.

Biological predispositions

Innate tendencies for certain behaviors that can be observed in individuals regardless of environmental influence.

Chomsky’s theory of Universal Grammar

The theory that humans possess an innate capacity for language acquisition.

Lorenz’s imprinting

A phenomenon where certain animals form attachments during a critical period immediately after birth.

Physiological factors

Biological elements such as hormones and brain structures that influence behavior.

Dabbs et al. study on testosterone

Research highlighting a correlation between higher testosterone levels and aggressive behavior in males.

Amygdala activity and aggression

Research showing a link between amygdala function and aggressive behavior in violent offenders.

Diathesis-stress model

A psychological model explaining disorders as the result of genetic predispositions interacting with environmental stressors.

Twin studies

Research comparing traits in identical twins to show the influence of genetic and environmental factors.