Questions of Developmental Psychology Nature versus nurture has been a subject for debate for an extended period of time. Although some psychologists prefer to take a side of either nature or nurture, in human development both are equally important. Undoubtedly, genes play a vital role in predetermination of preferences, personality traits, and overall character of an individual. However, the environment plays an equally important role in human development. Derived characteristics are as strong representation of a human being as genetics. Essentially, an individual is built as a result of both nature and nurture. Often, the combination of environmental and genetic influences is so complex, that in order to better understand this relationship, …show more content…
Children begin by learning from parents and caregivers, then transition into a broader social pool of teachers, mentors, peers, colleagues, and so on. Whether consciously or unconsciously, people tend to mimic the behavior of their role models and avoid behavior of more disliked individuals. Often, a way to self discovery is found through understanding the behavior of others and comparing it to self characteristics and habits. Contrarily, social influence may force to camouflage own behavioral characteristics under pressure of social norms. So forth, individual behaviors reflect the traits of an individual as well as adjustments to social demand, making human behavior even more complex. Social learning experience is more complicated than learning about the physical world, because values, morality, relationship, and other aspects of society are not tangible and are not fully understood. However, the process of social learning makes learning about the physical world appear with more clarity and help build relationship among individuals. Relationships classify into different types by characteristics and the purpose and nature they present. However, just as human behavior and development, relationships can be complicated and unique among individuals. Essentially, the basis of relationships, as most perceive it are experienced similarly among individuals. Yet, such experiences may …show more content…
However, some developmental psychologists still debate regarding the passive learning versus active learning of a child. Children do to repeat every move of their immediate family or friends, they begin by processing and analyzing. The ability to think critically develops with age, but children tend to show that they are capable to control their beliefs, behaviors, and relationship independently from learning. This model remains with an individual though lifetime. In general, the ability to control emotions and behaviors is human genetic potential. So forth, an individual is capable to shape his own character and discipline to meet his own goals. Since this is a task performed by mental processes, those who experience complications or mental disabilities may encounter difficulties with active learning. Another factor that can affect the ability for active learning is medication. The affect can be both positive and negative variable among individual circumstance. Medications directly affect brain receptors by either stimulating a certain receptor or inhibiting one. Depending on the purpose of a specific medication, the results may be beneficial or not beneficial. Although, this subject is highly debatable, avoiding medication to protect mental equilibrium, when possible, is always a best idea. Normally, the risk factors will be weighted by a medical professional prior to making a decision, and parents will be encouraged to research the topic
Have you ever thought about whether the way you are is based on your genetic makeup? Do you believe our environment shapes us into who we are, instead? In the psychology debate of nature versus nurture, I believe that nurture plays a big role in who
The debate of nature vs. nurture continues today in the world of psychology. The effects of an individual’s genetics and the effects of their environment on their personality and actions is an age old debate that is still inconclusive. However, it is evident that both sides of the argument carry some form of the truth. It can be contended that the major characteristics of an individual are formed by their environment, more specifically, their past experiences. An individual’s past moulds and shapes their identity, if they do not make an effort to move on from it.
The nature vs. nurture controversy is an age old question in the scientific and psychological world with both camps having evidence to support their theories. The controversy lies in which is more influential in the development of human beings. While there is no definitive answer for this, it is interesting to look at each of them separately.
“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)
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,...
...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.
When discussing human characteristics many statements are made regarding whether or not an individual was born with certain traits, or if they were raised in an environment that instilled the traits in them. This conflict is what is known as the nature and nurture argument, and in the study of behavior this argument is difficult to avoid. However the general consensus is that there is interplay between nature and nurture, that the characteristics and mannerisms that make up an individual are not dependent on one or the other. Generally there are two conclusions are made by research that is done concerning this argument; research that concludes that there is interplay and research
Select and answer 3 of the questions below. Note: You must answer #4 however. Each of your responses should be about 10-15 single-spaced lines in length
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.
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.
In attempt to understand individuals, psychologists debate whether nature or nurture accounts for human abilities and capacities. The term “nature” refers to the characteristics and abilities that derive from genetics, such as eye color. The term “nurture” indicates the abilities and capacities we acquire from society and the environment around us – the things we learn. Both nature and nurture influence how humans behave and function. Determining where the qualities and characteristics derive from will help us understand and assist the subject we desire to learn about.
In Ethics Kant described his ethical system, which is based on a belief that the reason is the final authority for morality. Actions of any sort, he believed, must be undertaken from a sense of duty dictated by reason, and no action performed for suitability or merely in compliance to law or custom can be regarded as ethical. Kant described two types of commands given by reason. The first was hypothetical imperative, which dictates a given course of action to reach a specific end, and the categorical imperative, which dictates a course of action that must be followed because of its rightness and necessity. The categorical imperative is the basis of morality and was stated by Kant as "Act as if the maxim of your action were to become through
The nature versus nurture debate is an old issue within the field of psychology. “The nature-nurture issue is a perennial one that has resurfaced in current psychiatry as a series of debates on the role that genes (DNA) and environments play in the etiology and pathophysiology of mental disorders” (Schaffner) The debate is essentially about what is inherited (nature) and what is experienced by environmental factors (nurture) and how they affect human development. Naturally, the nature versus nurture debate relates to many controversies such as intelligence, gender identities, violent behaviors, and sexual orientation. There are countless studies on whether intelligence is an inherited trait or if it is influenced by environmental factors.
Behavior and social learning are two theories that are inherently intertwined. Behavior to some extent is taught for social reasons, and social learning can very much shape and create behaviors. While behavior is something intentionally taught, social learning can teach and reinforce many unintentional behaviors, such as dishonesty or aggression. In order to adequately discuss these two interrelated topics, theory exploration is in order.
Issues in Developmental Psychology Psychology is defined as a science of behavior. Developmental psychology is a science of human lifespan development. Developmental psychology studies how individuals change over time and the process that create those changes. Human development is generally described in terms of periods or stages. The most widely used classification of eight developmental periods are in the following order: prenatal period (conception-birth), infancy (birth-2 years), early childhood (2-6), middle and late childhood (6-11), adolescence (12-18), early adulthood (19-35), middle adulthood (36-60), and late adulthood (60-death).