Essay On Nature Vs Nurture Debate

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Does nature or nurture play a significant part in human behavior and thought?
Numerous philosophers and scientists have been debating the nature versus nurture debate for many centuries. Their main goal was to find what drives human beings behavior and thought processes. They also wanted to see if human traits were evident at birth or if they were developed through experiences the human being encountered (Myers, 2013). This paper will discuss these aspects of the nature versus nurture debate:
1. What is the nature versus nurture debate?
2. What is the significance of the nature versus nurture debate?
3. How does it affect the field of psychology?
4. Is nature or nurture the primary driving force of human behavior?
What is the nature versus nurture debate?
The nature versus nurture debate has been prominent over the past couple of centuries. It all began with two philosophers by the names of Plato and Aristotle. According to Myers (2013), “the Greek philosopher Plato assumed that we inherit character and intelligence and that certain ideas are inborn (p. 6). Plato is implying that when humans are born they inherit genes that are passed down by their parents and humans are just born with these characteristics. Myers (2013) also found that “Aristotle countered that there is nothing in the mind that does not first come in from the external world through the senses (p. 6). Aristotle is implying that humans are born with no ideas and experiences are what shape a human beings behavior and thoughts. Other philosophers have analyzed the nature versus nurture debate but have implied the same things that Plato and Aristotle first discovered about the debate.
The nature versus nurture debate also explores into many different fields of psy...

... middle of paper ...

...assed down. These studies are on opposite sides of the spectrum but had one common goal and that goal was to figure out if genes or environment affected people the most.
How does it affect the field of psychology?
The nature versus nurture debate can affect psychology in many different ways. Psychologist will never really know what affects human behavior and thought, nature or nurture. The nature versus nurture debate seems to be leading psychologists to more discoveries and a better understanding of human behaviors, actions, thoughts, and mental processes. It also is leading into more than just humans and going into many other fields of studies like, gene mutations, parenting, modern agriculture, the way corporations are run, and etc. The assumption is that nature versus nurture is furthering the understanding of things in our world that surround our daily lives.

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