Nature vs Nuture

Introduction

The nature-nurture debate is about whether behaviour is caused by nature (genes and biology) or nurture (environment and experience). Nature includes genetic and biological influences, while nurture includes factors such as upbringing, education and culture. Psychologists now generally believe that both nature and nurture influence behaviour.

Nature: AO1

One argument for nature is that behaviour can be influenced by genes. Twin studies can be used to investigate genetic influences. Identical twins share 100% of their genes, whereas non-identical twins share around 50%. Therefore, if identical twins are more similar in behaviour than non-identical twins, this suggests that genes may have an influence.

Nature: AO3

However, twin studies have limitations. Identical twins usually experience very similar environments because they are often raised together. This means that similarities between them could be caused by their environment rather than their genes. Therefore, it is difficult to separate the effects of nature and nurture.

Nurture: AO1

Nurture refers to the influence of the environment on behaviour. Environmental factors include parenting, education, culture and social experiences. For example, children may learn behaviours by observing and imitating people around them. This suggests that behaviour can be shaped by experience rather than being completely determined by genes.

Nurture: AO3

A strength of the nurture explanation is that environmental influences can sometimes be changed. For example, improving education or providing a supportive environment may affect development. This suggests that behaviour is not necessarily fixed by genetics and that experiences can influence how a person develops.

Interactionist Approach: AO1

The interactionist approach argues that nature and nurture work together. A person may inherit a genetic predisposition towards a particular behaviour, but environmental experiences may determine whether this predisposition is expressed. For example, the diathesis-stress model suggests that a biological vulnerability may only lead to a disorder when combined with environmental stress.

Interactionist Approach: AO3

The interactionist approach is useful because it provides a more complete explanation of behaviour. It avoids treating nature and nurture as completely separate causes. Instead, it recognises that genes and the environment can influence each other. This means that it may be more realistic to explain behaviour as the result of an interaction between biological and environmental factors.

Conlusion:

Overall, the nature-nurture debate should not be viewed as simply choosing between genes or the environment. Evidence suggests that both nature and nurture influence behaviour. Genes can provide a predisposition, while environmental experiences can influence how this predisposition develops. Therefore, the interactionist approach provides a way of understanding how both factors can contribute to behaviour.