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Difference between nature and nurture in child development
Difference between nature and nurture in child development
What are the differences between nature nurture and their implications to education
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One of the longest debated issues in Psychological development is the Nature verses Nurture issue. The argument of whether cognitive development is based primarily on genetic makeup otherwise known as Nature, or the Nature argument; or whether development is based primarily on influenced learning from the environment, otherwise known as nurture, or the nurture argument. The definition of Cognitive Development is: “The process of acquiring intelligence and increasingly advanced thought and problem-solving ability from infancy to adulthood.” (Dictionary) There is a third theory of cognitive development derived from Nature theory and Nurture theory combined, known as the Nature plus Nurture theory. The Nature theory states cognitive development …show more content…
(Rider) Examples of hereditary universal maturational processes are Genes, innate predisposition or biology based influences because of evolution. (Rider) Biologically based influences are things such as hormones and neurotransmitters. (Rider) These are viewed as natural aspect and innate; carried down with genetic code from person to person. Maturation is a common outlook in the Nature theory. Maturation is the biological unfolding of the individual according to a blueprint contained in the genes. (Rider) Maturation is change within the brain; when this occurs it is attributed to cognitive changes like increased memory capacity and problem solving skills. Maturation is also contributed to psychological developmental understanding. Such as why we as an individual understand how someone, as another individual, feels. This process is guided by genetic influences causing most individuals to develop cognitively in the same manner usually at the same points in life. (Rider) The process of Individual Hereditary Endowment; Hereditary Endowment are traits passed down from generation to generation. (Rider) This is where the Nature theory finds its uniqueness in people. (Rider) Linking …show more content…
(Rider) External factors are influences that do not occur from within the individual but from elsewhere like the environment and others around you. (Alley) One example of the Nurture theory of cognitive development is if a child was learning to read, and the said child was exposed in a constant noisy environment and the child later in life was below the average in reading for his or her age group; this below average reading result would be because of exposure to said noisy environment from the child’s past. As a second example, that uses sexual intercourse looked at from the nurture standpoint would derive that teenagers between the age of 13 and 17 most likely engage in intercourse because of an exposure to sexual intercourse through the media, which is an environmental factor. (Rider) So rather this was by the Nature theory influenced from the environment, not genetic causation. In simple terminology the Nature theory states that when a baby is born that its mind is a blank slate and throughout life the baby will fill its mind with knowledge produced by the environment. (Simple) If someone had to choose one word to describe the Nature theory as a whole a good word to use would be learning. Learning is the foundation of the Nature theory.
The nature versus nurture theory is a way to distinguish whether certain traits or characteristics of individuals are impacted more by biological means or environmental means. What the “nature” part signifies in the the theory is that we are more impacted by heredity and biological effects of our personality and what defines us as a person. What “nurture” signifies is that environmental factors have a more powerful impact on our lives and personality. As we mostly know, most things aren’t black and white, and so it’s hard ro determine which type of factors is more effective. Most people believe that it’s a blend of both nature and nurture that makes us who we are.
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,...
"We used to think our fate was in our stars. Now, we know, in large part, that our fate is in our genes." ---James Watson
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)
A child is born in to a fast paced world. The child is influenced in every way, in every place, by every person they come in contact with. From the ages 1-5 the child is like a sponge, taking in all their brain can hold. Forming what will become, who they are as an adult. A main factor in this process is nature and nurture. Nature referring to the genes he/she inherited from the parents, shapes what the child will look like, if they will have diseases, if the child will be a boy or a girl, and much more. Nurture referring to the social, economic, surroundings, and culture. This shapes the child in personality, beliefs, and actions. Nature and Nurture are very important to the development of a child. If the child was to lack one or even part of one, he/she would be deprived of developing normally.
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.
Noted psychologist Jerome Kagan once said "Genes and family may determine the foundation of the house, but time and place determine its form" (Moore 165). The debate on nature versus nurture has been a mystery for years, constantly begging the question of whether human behavior, ideas, and feelings are innate or learned over time. Nature, or genetic influences, are formed before birth and finely-tuned through early experiences. Genes are viewed as long and complicated chains that are present throughout life and develop over time. Nature supporters believe that genes form a child's conscience and determine one's approach to life, contrasting with nature is the idea that children are born “blank slates,” only to be formed by experience, or nurture. Nurture is constituted of 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 behaviorism, character, and personality traits that constantly change and develop throughout life.
Nature versus nurture is an argument in psychology over whether a person’s innate qualities and behaviors are caused from their environment or if they’re born with it. Vygotsky places more emphasis on the social factors that contribute to cognitive development, in other words he is in favor of the nurture argument. He believes that everyone learns from their culture, environment, and social interactions. He talks about a few of his theories like the zone of proximal development, and a more knowledgeable other. He also expresses his thoughts on developmental tools and the importance of language to cognitive development. All of these factors together support his idea that children’s behavior is learned.
Notwithstanding, it is believed that environmental factors play an important role in enabling a child to grow and realize their potential. On the other hand, Nature theorists believe that nature plays an important role in the development of the child. It is stated that a child inherits lots of traits and looks from their parents and as a result, the child turns out to be a combination of the behavior trait and personality of the parents. For instance, if a two years of age mother and grandmother are both doctors then chances are, the child can also be a great doctor because genetically, it is in the child’s lineage. So, therefore, the factors of nature such as looks (head, neck, eye, skin etc.), temper, and abilities cannot be altered as they are inherited from the parents.
Nature is the word used to describe the biological aspects that shape behaviour, for example genes. Nurture is the word used to describe the social aspects that shape behaviour, for example interaction with parents. This essay will cover both sides of the argument referring to psychological theory. To start with the psychodynamic theory, this is defined, according to Dictionary.com as “The interaction of various conscious and unconscious mental or emotional processes, especially as they influence personality, behaviour, and attitudes”. This is a theory used on the side ...
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.
The study of nature development refers to the inherited characteristics and tendencies, these are genetic, and these which are inherited help influence the development through childhood. Some inherited characteristics appear in virtually everyone, For instance, almost all children have the capacity to learn to walk, understand language, imitate others, use simple tools, and draw inferences about how other people view the world. The coding of genes in each cell determine the different traits which we have, more dominantly on the physical attributes like eye colour, hair colour, ear size, height, and other traits. However, it is still not known whether the more abstract attributes
Developmental Psychology is an area which studies how we as humans change over the period of our life span. The majority of the focus is broken into three categories: cognitive, physical and social change. The creation of who we are today comes down to the everlasting debate of nature versus nurture. This ongoing debate of what makes us who we are and which one is the driving force in development may be so simple that it’s complex. Rather than it being a conflict of nature “versus” nurture, it is very well possible both play an equal part in the development of us as humans. In the beginning, we start off as single cell in the form of a zygote. In that moment, where the DNA begin to form and the first seconds of life take place, the zygote is already experiencing interaction with the womb. In the process of determining why we are who are it is better to look more at the interactions of nature and nurture, analyzing how both have shaped us.