Nature vs Nurture: Twin Studies and Adoption

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The nature- nurture debate has many different case studies, which often questions environmental and hereditary aspects of the nature- nurture debate. A tangent which is focused on in this essay is how the case studies of schizophrenia and IQ, specifically affect twin and adoption studies. This essay will firstly, give a brief outline of the nature-nurture debate and the definitions of twin and adoption studies. Secondly, it will illustrate two main case studies, which are IQ and Schizophrenia studies. Thirdly, will contrast and compare the two and research’s impact on the case studies in regards to nature vs. nurture and finally, will conclude with the impact of the nature-nurture debate and twin and adoption studies. “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) Nature, which is also known as hereditary, is the genetic makeup (DNA) that an individual carries from birth until death. Hereditary characteristics are different in each individual, group and humans in comparison to other species. Nurture on the other hand refers to environmental factors and similar to nature, an individual is also exposed from birth until death. These factors involve elements such as physical environments (prenatal nutrition) and social environments (media and peer pressure). (Social Issues Referencing, 2007) Similar to ... ... middle of paper ... ...obert Plomin, D. W. (1997). Nature, Nurture, and Cognitive Development from 1 to 16 Years: A Parent-Offspring Adoption Study. Psychological Science , 8 (6), 442-447. Rutter, M. &. (1999). Developmental catch-up and defcit, following adoption after severe global arly privation. In The nature-nurture debate: The essential readings (In S. Ceci & W. Williams ed., pp. 108-133). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. Smith, S.E. (2010). What is nature versus nurture. Retrieved from (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-nature-versus-nurture.htm) Social Issues Referencing. (2007) Heredity Versus Environment- The Nature- nurture controversy, Exploring Heredity And Environment: Research Methods, Beyond Heredability. Child Development Reference , 4 . Retrieved April 22, 2010, from Social Issues Referencing: http://social.jrank.org/pages/300/Heredity-Versus-Envrionment.html

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