nature vs nurture

The inherited genetic makeup/code of an individual.

The observable physical and behavioral characteristics resulting from the interaction of the genotype with the environment.

What is Epigenetics?

The process by which environmental factors (e.g., diet, stress, trauma) alter gene expression (via mechanism such as methylation or acetylation) without changing the underlying DNA code.

What is the Diathesis-Stress Model?

An interactionist model suggesting psychological disorders develop from a biological predisposition/vulnerability (diathesis) triggered by environmental stressors (stress).

What neural/neuroanatomical evidence supports the Nature argument?

fMRI scans (e.g., Fallon, 2010) show distinct structural and functional brain abnormalities in specific psychological conditions, suggesting physical brain architecture drives behavior.

How does Dollard & Miller (1950) explain attachment from a nurture perspective?

Learning Theory of Attachment: Infants learn to attach to caregivers through classical conditioning (food = primary reinforcer, caregiver = secondary reinforcer) and operant conditioning (crying reduces hunger drive).

What is Beck's Negative Triad, and how does it represent a nurture model?

• A cognitive model explaining depression as the result of early environmental failure/trauma leading to negative schemas about the self, the world, and the future.

What is Bateson's (1956) Double-Bind Theory?

A family environment theory suggesting psychological conditions (like schizophrenia) stem from contradictory communications from parents, leading to confusion and withdrawal.

What are three real-world treatments/interventions derived from Nurture theories?

• Token Economy: Behavior modification using operant principles.

• Systematic Desensitization / Flooding: Counterconditioning for phobias.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Restructuring faulty cognitive patterns caused by past environment.

What real-world evidence supports the interaction of nature and nurture in deprivation studies?

Rutter et al.'s ERA (English and Romanian Adoptees) Study: Demonstrated that severe environmental deprivation altered biological and cognitive development, but early adoption before 6 months mitigated long-term deficits.

PEEL Point (Nature): How to structure an argument for genetic determinism using OCD.

Point: Genetic variations directly influence brain chemistry and behavioral traits.

Evidence: COMT and SERT gene variations linked to dopamine/serotonin imbalance.

Explain: Shows behavior has an innate biological blueprint independent of environment.

Link/Evaluate: Highly deterministic; ignores environmental triggers like trauma.

PEEL Point (Nurture): How to evaluate purely behaviorist explanations.

Point: Behaviorism assumes all behavior is acquired through conditioning.

Evidence: Skinner's operant conditioning boxes; Mowrer's Two-Process Model.

Explain: Demonstrates that environmental consequences reshape responses across species.

Link/Evaluate: Oversimplifies human agency by ignoring cognitive processing and hereditary factors.

Why is taking an extreme Nature or Nurture stance problematic?

Extreme Nature: Can lead to biological determinism and ethical issues (e.g., eugenics or ignoring social reform).

Extreme Nurture: Blames parents/environment entirely for disorders with strong genetic roots (e.g., refrigerator mother theory of autism).

Resolution: An Interactionist perspective (like Epigenetics or Diathesis-Stress) provides a more complete, scientifically supported view.