The nature nurture debate

what is nativism

the term used to describe a stance that agrees with the nature side of the debate

who introduced nativism

Descartes- suggesting the human soul is equipped with an understanding of key concepts such as time.

No theory of genetics but formed the basis of the nativist point of being born with predispositions

where does support for the nativist view point come from today

biology and generics

suggests behaviour is the product of biological or genetic factors- biologically determined and the result of heredity

basic assumption that characteristics of human species are a result of evolution and that individual differences are a product of the unique genetic code

What is empiricism/ environmentalism

the opposing extreme viewpoint to nativism which says we are born without any innate mechanisms and that all we become is due to our experiences

the nurture viewpoint

what is the empiricist view point

the idea that behaviour is the product of environmental influences

the environment is everything outside of the body which can include people, events, and the physical world

characteristics and behavioural differences that emerge through infancy and childhood are results of learning

what is the interactionist approach

the idea that the 2 processes are intertwined with each other, eg in twin studies concordance rates may be due to shared genetics or shared upbringing

what does the interactionist approach argue

the true answer to the nature nurture debate is that both genetics and the environment play a part in behaviour

genetics give us a predisposition to certain behaviours but this is moderated by the environment

what shows the interactionist approach

intelligence- a genetic predisposition to attain a certain level of intelligence but reaching this potential is mediated by environmental factors eg diet, education, learning environment

where do the approaches sit in order from nature to nurture

biological

psycho dynamic

cognitive

humanistic

behaviourist

how does gender show the nature nurture debate

nature- genes and chromosomes

nurture- SLT, media

how does attachment show the nature nurture debate

nature- bowlbys monotropic theory

nurture- classical and operant conditioning

how does schizophrenia show the nature nurture debate

nature- genes, dopamine hypothesis, neural corelates

nurture- family dysfunction

how does addiction show the nature nurture debate

nature- genetic vulnerability

nurture- other risk factors including stress, peers, family

Nature nurture debate AO3

In evaluating the nature nurture debate it is important to acknowledge that separating the influences of nature and nurture is not possible

In evaluating the nature nurture debate it is important to acknowledge that separating the influences of nature and nurture is not possible

This is best illustrated by the genetic disorder PKU which is caused by the inheritance of 2 recessive genes, one from each parent. People with PKU are unable to break down the amino acid phenylalalanine which builds up in the blood causing brain damage. However, if the child is diagnosed early, they are placed on a low protein diet for the first 12 years which helps to avert this potentially lifelong disorder. Therefore the disorder PKU is not expressed, because of an altered environment

This highlights the importance of an interactionist approach which acknowledges that nature and nurture work together rather than separately