The nature- nurture debate has many different case studies, which often questions environmental and hereditary aspects of the nature- nurture debate. A tangent which is focused on in this essay is how the case studies of schizophrenia and IQ, specifically affect twin and adoption studies. This essay will firstly, give a brief outline of the nature-nurture debate and the definitions of twin and adoption studies. Secondly, it will illustrate two main case studies, which are IQ and Schizophrenia studies. Thirdly, will contrast and compare the two and research’s impact on the case studies in regards to nature vs. nurture and finally, will conclude with the impact of the nature-nurture debate and twin and adoption studies. “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) Nature, which is also known as hereditary, is the genetic makeup (DNA) that an individual carries from birth until death. Hereditary characteristics are different in each individual, group and humans in comparison to other species. Nurture on the other hand refers to environmental factors and similar to nature, an individual is also exposed from birth until death. These factors involve elements such as physical environments (prenatal nutrition) and social environments (media and peer pressure). (Social Issues Referencing, 2007) Similar to ... ... middle of paper ... ...obert Plomin, D. W. (1997). Nature, Nurture, and Cognitive Development from 1 to 16 Years: A Parent-Offspring Adoption Study. Psychological Science , 8 (6), 442-447. Rutter, M. &. (1999). Developmental catch-up and defcit, following adoption after severe global arly privation. In The nature-nurture debate: The essential readings (In S. Ceci & W. Williams ed., pp. 108-133). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. Smith, S.E. (2010). What is nature versus nurture. Retrieved from (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-nature-versus-nurture.htm) Social Issues Referencing. (2007) Heredity Versus Environment- The Nature- nurture controversy, Exploring Heredity And Environment: Research Methods, Beyond Heredability. Child Development Reference , 4 . Retrieved April 22, 2010, from Social Issues Referencing: http://social.jrank.org/pages/300/Heredity-Versus-Envrionment.html
...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.
Nature versus Nurture is a very debatable topic within our society today. The nature versus nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture (Good Therapy, 2014). This debate is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behavior that promote intelligence, athletic ability, and overall success are a product of either inherited or acquired characteristics (McLeod, 2007). Nature is often defined in this debate as genetic or hormone-based behaviors, while nurture is most commonly defined as environment and experience (Good Therapy, 2014).
Nature versus Nurture has been a topic debated in all kinds of settings all over the world.
Davies, Kevin. "Nature vs. Nurture Revisited." PBS. 17 Apr. 2001. PBS. 28 Mar. 2012 .
Perry, B (2002) Childhood Experience and the Expression of Genetic Potential: What Childhood Neglect Tells Us About Nature and Nurture. Journal Brain and Mind. Vol. 3 N1 April, 2002.Retrived January 30, 2010 from http://www.springerlink.com/content/e4h7b2e6nq9ew9mm/fulltext.pdf?page=1
Nature is the development of a human character through genetics or inherited factors. Nurture, on the other hand, is the development of human character through environment, culture, and experiences. Nature and nurture both hold prominent places in the maturation of one’s life. An article by Kendra Cherry on “What Is Nature Versus Nurture?” states “Other things like life expectancy and height have a strong influence by environmental factors and lifestyle.” This quote expresses that both nurture and nature strongly affect human development. This quote holds significance because it voices that nature is primarily impacted by nurture, for instance, life expectancy through genes
Nature vs. Nurture which one of both makes more contribution to development? Nature is inherited through genes or nurture which is learned by experimenting and learning. These are tough questions, difficult to answer because history has shown that both work together to shape the cognitive development of children. They both work together to shape children’s personalities, abilities, disabilities, intelligence and mental illness.
“The nature vs. nurture debate is concerned with the relative contribution of both [nature and nurture] influences make to human behavior.”(McLeod). The debate discusses whether the environment, which may include, where a person lives and the people they interact with; or the way their caregivers nurture them by providing the necessities they need in order to sustain life, including a positive environment. “What is clear, however, is that neither genes nor environment alone can account for how we live our lives.”( Franzoi 76).While most people focus on determining whether nature or nurture is the most influential, researchers state that the two cannot function without each
"Nature Plus Nurture." Read "" by Begley, Sharon. N.p., 13 Nov. 1995. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
Steen, R. Grant. DNA and Destiny: Nurture and Nature in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Press, 1996.
Throughout the history of Psychology, “Nature vs. Nurture” has reigned supreme as one of the most heated debates among psychologists and educators. In the context of intelligence in particular, many are curious as to how an individual’s “nature” or “nurture” histories might influence their ability to obtain knowledge. While there may never be a sure answer as to which theory is technically correct, one must first understand the differences between the two theories and perhaps reflect on their own history in order to reach their personal conclusion.
Undoubtedly, humans are unique and intricate creatures and their development is a complex process. It is this process that leads people to question, is a child’s development influenced by genetics or their environment? This long debate has been at the forefront of psychology for countless decades now and is better known as “Nature versus Nurture”. The continuous controversy over whether or not children develop their psychological attributes based on genetics (nature) or the way in which they have been raised (nurture) has occupied the minds of psychologists for years. Through thorough reading of experiments, studies, and discussions however, it is easy to be convinced that nurture does play a far more important in the development of a human than nature.
Child growth and development is a process that consists of some building blocks, which are components that combine in an infinite number of ways (Cherry, n.d.). As a result of the variations of building blocks in a child’s development, educators, psychologists, and philosophers have been constantly engaged in the debate of nature versus nurture debate. Many researchers agree that child development is a complex interaction between his/her genetic background (nature) and his/her environment (nurture). In essence, some developmental aspects are strongly affected by biology whereas other aspects are influenced by environmental factors. From the onset of an individu...
McDevitt, T and Ormrod, J (2010) Nature and Nurture, Education.com [online] Available from www.education.com Accessed on 4th April 2014
Heredity Versus Environment - The Nature-nurture Controversy, Exploring Heredity And Environment: Research Methods, Beyond Heritability