Perhaps one of the most common issues presented in Psychology today is the issue of Psychological Development. There are many factors the affect an individual’s development physically, mentally, and socially. However, perhaps the most controversial and debatable topic in regards to human development is the issue between Nature and Nurture. Nature and nurture are two opposite things that play an influence on the life of an individual. Many psychologists agree that both aspects of the issue play an important role in the lives of all individuals. However, there is an obvious discrepancy between the ideas of psychologists when discussing which aspect of development plays more of a significant role towards development. Even before psychology was founded by Wilhelm Wundt, the role of both nature and nurture have shown much importance people of all ages. After careful examination of both subjects, one can distinguish between which has more of an impact on development, but it is undeniable that both have an impact on the lives of every individual. The topic of discussion is the decision between which topic in regards to Human Development is more important in psychology: Nature or Nurture. Every individual can tackle the question at hand in many different ways. However, it is important to first have a clear understanding and definition about the controversy and both aspects involved in it. Nature vs. Nurture is a debatable topic in which one must decide what is more important to a child’s development: his or her genetic and hereditary qualities or the environment and external influences that shape him or her into the being he or she becomes. Nature is defined as the traits passed down to an individual by the means of reproduction and gene... ... middle of paper ... ...all relatives. Brandweek, 45(33), 22. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/218083962?accountid=41640 Glass, J. (2000, Dec). Nature vs nurture. Parenting, 13, 156-164. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203312490?accountid=41640 Henderson, M. (2001). The dependent gene: The fallacy of nature vs. nurture. Library Journal, 126(19), 95. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/196788489?accountid=41640 Kenny, D. (2001). Nature vs nurture. In Reader's guide to the social sciences. Retrieved from http://dbprox.vinu.edu/login?url=http://search.credoreference.com.dbprox.vinu.edu/content/entry/routsocial/nature_vs_nurture/0 LeDoux, J. E. (1998). Nature vs. nurture: The pendulum still swings with plenty of momentum. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 45(16), B7-B8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/214728572?accountid=41640
...s may never agree on a conclusive degree to which both nature and nurture play roles in human development, but over the years, more improved studies have shown that both are crucial aspects. With all the knowledge we are gaining from these studies, it would be quite limiting to believe that a criminal and his actions are the sole result of heredity. Even in people who do not commit crimes, genes themselves are affected by the prenatal environment. Undoubtedly, the fetus experiences changes in environment, forcing possible changes in heredity and reactionary response. We are likely to never find the answer to how much or how little either, nature or nurture, impacts our lives, but at least we can agree that they both do, in fact, have major roles. Our development is not the culmination of heredity alone, but of a tangled web of experiences and genetics entwined.
Davies, Kevin. "Nature vs. Nurture Revisited." PBS. 17 Apr. 2001. PBS. 28 Mar. 2012 .
The nature vs. nurture debate: the nature side, are those such as biologists, psychologists and others in the natural sciences, argue that behavioral traits can be explained by genetics. Those taking the nurture side are sociologists and others in the social sciences, they argue that human behavior is learned and shaped through social interaction. This argument should be dismissed because you don’t have to look far to see that both genetics and our environment, plays a role in who we are and our behaviors. (Glass). The point is there is a complex relationship between nature and nurture, either one alone is insufficient to explain what makes us human. (Colt). Our heredity gives us a basic potential,...
Since the beginnings of psychology the debate of nature verses nurture has been going on. Certain psychologists take the position of the nature perspective. They argue that people are born with predispositions towards certain personalities, traits and other characteristics that help shape them into the people that they become later in life. Meanwhile multiple other psychologists argue the nurture perspective. They believe that people are born as a blank slate and their experiences over the course of life help shape their personalities, traits, and other characteristics.
A common dispute that has left people speechless for years is the debate between nature and nurture. Are humans influenced by their environments or their genetic make-up? This theory has not gone unnoticed while many theorists attempt to sway the opinions of their audience. Nature is comprised of our genetic and biological components that make us who we are while nurture is founded on the principle that humans are influenced by experience. I believe nature and nurture fall on a spectrum. Within the spectrum environmental, cultural, and genetic influences comprise a person’s unique
nurture argument. Theorists have wondered how much of development is affected by genetics and the environment. Ultimately, nature and nurture intertwine to shape the lives of children. Nature may predispose children to certain behaviors if placed in specific environments, however the timing of the environmental exposure and the child’s natural tendencies also play a role. Theorists have also discussed the extent to which development is universal and how much of it is unique to individuals. There are consistencies that have been noted universally yet; theorists have observed variations in their competency in different tasks and way of life that may be contributed to genetics or the environment. Lastly, theorists debate about whether changes in development can be portrayed as qualitative where it involves dramatic changes or quantitative in which development is a steady progression. These debates have merits independently but require each other for a better understanding of child
The nature vs. nurture debate is about what causes human behavior. For example, if someone is a superior basketball player, how much is intense training and motivation, and how much is genetic. Nature means that it is the environment. It is most likely places, or even a person's biography. For example, forests, mountains, myself, you, us, etc. While nurture means taking care of. For example, Nurturing your child means taking care of your child.
Steen, R. Grant. DNA and Destiny: Nurture and Nature in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Press, 1996.
On the other side of the argument, the nurture proponents are certain that the environment in which we are raised holds far greater sway with the people we become. This argument can even be traced back to biblica...
“The term “nature versus nurture” is used to refer to a long-running scientific debate. The source of debate is the question of which has a greater influence on development: someone's innate characteristics provided by genetics, or someone's environment. In fact, the nature versus nurture debate has been largely termed obsolete by many researchers, because both innate characteristics and environment play a huge role in development, and they often intersect”. (Smith, 2010 p. 1)
and behavior of the child. In fact, the more we understand about development and behavior, the better. the more obvious it becomes that nature and nurture are similarly influences. rather than determinants, not only singly but also in combination. Here below, I will endeavour to expose the leading theories dealing with the question of nature.
Nurture is constituted by the influence of millions of complex environmental factors that form a child's character. Advocators of nature do not believe that character is predetermined by genes, but formed over time. Although often separated, nature and nurture work together in human development. The human conscience is neither innate from birth or entirely shaped through experience, instead, genetics and environmental influences combine to form human behavior, character, and personality traits that constantly change and develop throughout life. The debate on nature versus nurture has existed for thousands of years.
While the concept of nature vs nurture has been debated for centuries, that wasn’t the literature I was looking for. I wanted to find perspectives
The Effects of Nature and Nurture on Shaping of Behavior The nature/nurture investigation has been studied for many years by psychologists and it is a subject that is still in debate today. It brings up the question, how is our behaviour shaped, and the two sides of the answer are nature and nurture. Behaviour in the context of a human being can be described as; the way humans act and think in situations. What is meant by nature and nurture?
In 1874, Francis Galton said, “Nature is all that a man brings with him into the world; nurture is every influence that affects him after his birth”. The human body contains millions upon millions of cells and each of these cells contains hereditary information and DNA. However, there is no proof that the information carried in these genes predetermines the way in which we behave. I believe it is our life experiences and what we see and are told that shape the way in which we behave. Therefore, it appears to me that nurturing plays a far more governing and dominant role in a human being’s development rather than nature.