nature-nurture AO3

Nature evidence (-)

• Twin studies highlight the need for an interactionist approach. These results do provide strong evidence for a genetic component, the concordance rate of MZ twins is 68%, higher than for DZ twins (38%), suggesting that behaviour is partially attributed to nature

• However, these results highlight the role of nurture as the concordance rate is not 100%, highlighting the importance of an approach that considers both sides

Interactionist research (+)

• Maguire et al (2000) studied the brains of London taxi drivers using an MRI, finding signficantly more grey matter in the posteior hippocampus than matched controls. This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals

• As part of training, Cabbies must pass ‘the knowledge’,, assessing their recall of the city streets and more possible routes. 

• The longer they had do e the job, the more pronounced the structural difference, showing a clear relationship between nature and nurture

Applications (+)

• By assuming parenting is a learnt behaviour, we can offer parenting classes to reduce poor communication and relationships in the household and hopeflly minimise the risk of developing schizophrenia

• If we assume schizophrenia has biological roots e.g. high levels of dopamine - promote medication that reduces dopamine activity i.e. antipsychotics to help reduce symptoms. 

• Both sides of the debate have far-reaching implications that are useful to society, leading to applications such as drug therapy

Evolution of debate (+)

• The debate now lies in how much each side affects behaviour

• E.g. schizophrenia is thought to be caused by biological and environmental factors. 

• Biological causes include the inheritance of faulty genes, such as the C4 variant causing hyperpruning. This is the diathesis (genetic vulnerability predisposing them to the condition)

• Environmental factors include the schizophrenogenic mother proposed by Fromm-Reichmann that causes internal conflict. This is the stress (factors that trigger the genetic vulnerability leading to the onset of the condition)