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Nature versus nurture
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The Nature vs Nurture Theory is one the most controversial debate topics in Psychology. This debate has been going on for years now. The Nature argument is supported by genetics and what is hereditary to a person. Psychologists who support the “nature” theory concentrate on what an individual is born with. For example, they focus on genes, DNA, personality traits and other qualities they just can’t change about themselves. Researches focusing on the results of neurotransmitters of an addict are usually conducted to further support this point. On the other hand, the Nurture argument is supported by events that have influenced a person's decision and way of living. Psychologists who support the “nurture” theory base their arguments by understanding one’s behavior. They focus on personal experiences that mold and shape a person. They also focus on how a person was raised, what and how they were educated in school, and their lifestyle. Usually, psychologists focus on influences like peer pressure and media when it comes to teenagers who turn to drugs or alcohol.
A study conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism proposes that Asians or anyone who has Asian ancestry have a certain gene that makes them feel faint, nauseated, and unpleasant when alcohol is consumed. It is believed that the more you enjoy the experience of alcohol, the more you will drink and possible develop alcoholism. Well, Asians with this gene are less likely to develop alcoholism due to the fact that they won't drink as much alcohol since it isn't enjoyable.
On the other hand, another study implies that there is a gene that makes alcohol more enjoyable and pleasant. Basically how this gene works is that it enhances the feeling of pleasure ...
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... to alcohol, the harder it would be to restrain their own actions.
However, some people believe that alcoholism is developed through both nature and nurture circumstances.
However, if I were to pick a side, I would support the Nature argument. It is not right to blame your race, heritage, or your parents for your mistakes in life. Just because your parent is an alcoholic, that does not mean it is acceptable for you to follow in their footsteps and blame them for how you turned out to be. Your personal life choices determine who you are. Maybe the way you were raised, peer pressure, or media influenced you, it is still you who make your decisions. You are still able to break out of that “narrow” thinking that you are supposed to live your life the way your parents lived. Everyone has a choice, if you choose to be an alcoholic, that is on you, not on your genes.
The nurture argument is based on how a person was raised and nature is the argument
The nurture argument is based on how a person was raised and nature is the argument
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.
Since the beginnings of psychology the debate of nature verses nurture has been going on. Certain psychologists take the position of the nature perspective. They argue that people are born with predispositions towards certain personalities, traits and other characteristics that help shape them into the people that they become later in life. Meanwhile multiple other psychologists argue the nurture perspective. They believe that people are born as a blank slate and their experiences over the course of life help shape their personalities, traits, and other characteristics.
Genetics predispose an individual to having an increased chance of becoming codependent upon drugs or alcohol. Studies of twins and of families that are prone to addiction suggest that about 50% of the risk for drug addiction is genetically based (EBSCOhost). One well-characterized relationship between genes and alcoholism is the result of variation in the liver enzymes that metabolize alcohol (NIH). The result of the liver breaking down the alcohol faster is a higher tolerance. Individuals with a higher tolerance to alcohol, need to drink more than the average person in order to seek the same biological effect. When heavy drinkers suddenly stop or significantly reduce their alcohol consumption, the neurotransmitters prev...
...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.
A research published by the Washington University in St. Louis concerning alcohol-dependence suggests that some people have a gene variant that allows signals of pleasure to move quickly from one portion of the brain to the other when alcohol is in use. As the brain continues to experience this pleasure, it will ask for more in return. Someone with this kind of gene might move from social drinking to continuous drinking in no time at all, mainly because of the genes involved.
Heredity, conditioning, and environment can contribute to the use of alcohol. One beverage can affect parts of the brain and nervous system. Sensory input then comes into play when alcohol is consumed. Symptoms depend on many factors such as one’s body itself and the amount of alcohol intake. Not only does alcohol affect the person consuming it but others around them, impact relationships, and group behavior. Therefore, after the individual has taken beverage after beverage of alcohol the body will start showing signs of damage to the body both internally and externally.
Alcoholism is an illness that is directly associated with persistent and excessive use of alcoholism (Mascott). According to Cunha, there is not a well-established cause for alcoholism but however there is a growing evidence for it being genetic. Recent research, believe that a gene (D2 dopamine receptor gene) that, when inherited in a specific form, might increase a person's chance of developing alcoholism. There are also a variety of elements that may trigger to the problem of alcoholism such as the environment around there such as family members, peers and availability of alcohol. Alcoholism is the physical and mental addiction to alcohol (Right Diagnosis).
There are many causes that may lead to alcoholism. Psychological, social, and genetic factors have been linked to alcoholism. The psychological argument is that many alcoholics feel a feeling of inferiority and inadequacy. Alcohol is thought to give them false courage needed to face life. They are not capable of feeling self-assured to function in real life. Another cause may be a social factor. Many alcoholics start and begin moderately due to social or peer encouragement. They build up craving and demand leading to increasing consumption. Eventually, the drinking progresses beyond control. There is another factor: genetics. According to studies, children of alcoholics tend to abuse alcohol themselves. Physiologically alcoholics are though to be weak, and predisposed and more likely to become alcoholics themselves. Children of alcoholic parents tend to be more likely to be alcoholics.
To understand alcoholism, it must first be understood what this affliction is dependent on. Alcohol is a substance that is made by the fermentation of fruits, grains, or miscellaneous other organic materials. The chemical, alcohol, is a depressant and acts on every cell in the human body. Due to this, the central nervous system, along with the pleasure centers of the brain, are affected resulting in a feeling of euphoria and a sense of well being. After repeated exposure, the brain becomes dependent on this drug to unburden itself whenever it feels the compulsion. Several factors that contribute to alcoholism are the individual’s psychology, genetics, culture, and the individual’s response to physical pain.
One of the hottest debates is and has been nature vs nurture for years, but what is the difference between the two? Nature is what people think of as already having and not being able to change it, in other words, pre-wiring (Sincero). Nurture is the influence of experiences and its environment of external factors (Sincero). Both nature and nurture play important roles in human development. Scientists and researchers are both trying to figure out which is the main cause in development because it is still unknown on which it is. The best position to side with is nature. Nature is also defined as genetic or hormone based behaviors (Agin). Regardless of the involvement in everyday life, or nurture, this argumentation centers around the effect genes have on human personalities. Although it is understandable on reasons to side with nurture, nature is the better stand in this controversy. Reasons to side with nature is because of genes and what genes hold. Genes is what
One of the most well-known debates in psychology is nature versus nurture. Nature is pre-determined traits, influenced by biological factors and genetics. Physical characteristics such as height, hair color, and eye color is all determined by the genetics we inherit. Nurture is the influence of environmental factors. Nature and nurture affects the physical, emotional, and social development of a child.
Nurture debate, which argues whether a person is predisposed due to their DNA makeup, or are a blank slate and are affected by the life experiences and environment that creates who they will be and adapt as seen fit. Scientists have determined that the presence of biological abnormalities will increase the likelihood of an individual doing criminal acts, but it will not force them to be one (it does not make them a criminal for sure), which is what individuals against biological theories tend to argue. Another argument is that biological factors will increase the possible criminal behaviors when other social/mental factors are also present, which is what the other factions of theories tend to
Nature vs nurture debate is one of the oldest arguments in the history of psychology. It is the scientific cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Nature and nurture are both equally important. They are the two are major influences that affect the person you grow to be and will determine what your children will be tomorrow. Nature refers to heredity, which are traits and features that are inherited from your parents and ancestors. At birth you, as a person, inherits 50% of each parent 's genetic material that are passed along through the chromosomes found in the DNA. Hair color, height, body type, and eye color are some examples of characteristics