Nature Vs Nurture Debate

Nature vs. Nurture

One of the oldest philosophical conflicts within psychology today is the controversy behind the nature versus nurture debate. The large question that is asked within this issue is whether genetic or environmental factors affect behavior or personality more. Nature refers to “all of the genes and heredity factors that influence who we are- from our physical appearance to our personality characteristics” (Cherry n.pg.). Inherited genetics characteristics are common traits of a nature perspective. On the other side of the debate is the nurture outlook. Nurture refers to “all the environmental variables that impact who we are, including our early childhood experiences, how we are raised, our social relationships, and our surrounding

Nature has to do with genes in humans that determine physical traits. Examples of these traits are height, weight, skin color, eye color, and other physical differences. Although nature can determine human’s physical characteristics, nature cannot determine a person’s personality, behavior, or intelligence. Nature focuses on neurologically and genetically based development. Research has shown that “some scientists think that people behave as they do according to genetic predispositions or even animal instincts” (Powell n.pg.). An animal instinct is a behavior that a person is born with. Scientists that have studied the nature versus nurture debate have been researching this topic for hundreds of years. The majority of scientists and philosophers from the early 1800’s believed in nature because there was more experiments and evidence that supported that side. According to Kimberly Powell, “it has been reported that the use of the terms nature and nurture as a convenient catch-phrase for the roles of heredity and environment in human development can be traced back to the 13th century France” (n.pg.). Throughout different time periods, two contrasting sides have been reinforced. Even though many early scientists believed that the effects of nature affected a person’s personality more, philosophers found arguments why nurture has a key role in shaping a

Nurture is how one develops based on the environment, and behavior that is learned from a person’s surroundings. One of the early philosophers who strongly believed in the concept of nurture was John Locke. He believed that when a person is born, their minds are blank slates that grow through experience and environment. Studies have shown that “nurture affects children’s development through multiple channels: physically through nutrition, activity, and stress; intellectually through informal experiences and formal instruction; and socially through adult role models and peer relationships” (Ormrod n.pg.). These development characteristics are each unique experiences that can shape a person’s being, mind, and body. Early theorists who believed in nurture assumed that people can be formed into whatever the environment shapes them into being. Compared to nurture, nature does not contribute nearly as much to a child’s development or abilities. According to the “Introduction to Psychology” “even working together, genes are not so powerful that they can control or create our personality” (n.pg). Having certain genes does not guarantee particular traits that will develop personality. An example of this is a person may have genes that are prone to increase the risk of developing emphysema. However, if this person does not smoke, the disease will most likely not