Nature Vs Nurture

Individuals who support nature as the dominant influence will oppose the argument. Naturists believe that genetics and biology determine a child’s predisposition relating to development, they also argue that environmental factors, nurture, have little impact. Twin studies have found a correlation between intelligence and genetics, since twins have identical genes, by measuring their intelligence quotient scientists could establish a connection. “According to the Minnesota twin studies, identical twins IQ scores have correlations as high as .86, 1.00 being a perfect score,” (Hull, Licht, & Ballantyne, 2014). Although this information is valid, it isn’t correct for it doesn’t capture the entire picture. Genetics may influence intelligence determining

our genotype, but our environment determines which genes are expressed through our phenotype (Sigelman & Rider, 2015). This is what naturists fail to acknowledge, even if identical twins have a predisposed equivalent IQ, their socioeconomic status ultimately controls how their intelligence is expressed. After the Minnesota twin’s studies were conducted, a new factor was introduced, environment. By separating the twins, one in a financially stable environment and the other in a socioeconomically deficient environment, the correlation between their intelligence significantly dropped to around .71 (Hull, Licht, & Ballantyne, 2014). Interestingly enough, the correlation is still higher than that of fraternal twins who were “reared” together which have a correlation of .60. Yet, the decrease still proves that environmental factors have a greater influence because they regulate which genes develop into fruition.
Culture influences behavior rather than social relationships, is another popular counter argument. This statement is one-hundred percent true, but the type of culture that has argued in favor of having greater influence over social relationships is entirely different. Within society, there are two kinds of behavioral cultures that each human can relate to, individualism or collectivism. Since America is primarily an individualist’s culture, people view themselves responsible for their own actions, thoughts, and decisions which all dictate behavior (Hopper, 2015). All these statements are true; however, children operate differently from functional citizens requiring a figure of guidance to develop the behavior. What separates a child from an adult is the development that is required for a child to become an adult. For children to successfully develop, they must establish a secure attachment with their guardian, if they instead develop a resistance, avoidant, or disorganized attachment, their behavior will permanently be altered throughout their life span. To establish a secure attachment the guardian must be sensitive and responsive to the child, if the parent is inconsistent, unresponsive, or abusive, the child will develop a negative attachment. Children experience a sensitive period around eighteen months in which they easily imprint onto a caregiver. From that point forward, whoever the child imprints on will help shape his/her behavior. The more quality time a guardian spends with the child, the more likely the child will properly develop both social skills and behavior etiquette. Research done by the Foundations Counseling concluded that parents who adopt authoritative and secure parenting styles produce greater chances of avoiding behavioral disorders in their children (Greenwood, 2013). How is it that an individualist culture has greater influence on child development than social relationships? A more accurate statement would be that behavioral culture influences social relationships, so through social relationships culture influences behavior.