Why Is Nurture More Important Than Nature

Many psychologists have argued over what influences shape a person, whether they are biological or environmental. Comparing these to my own thoughts and personal experiences, I was able to come to conclusions about development. I believe that nurture is much more influential on a child’s development than nature is.

I had to look into the argument in order to accurately make a decision. In my research I found out that the majority of social, emotional, and intellectual make-up is determined through connections of one hundred billion nerve cells in the brain the first three years of life. These connections are strengthened by everyday activities and in time strengthen from the interaction with people such as the parents. Children are considered “sponges” because these connections are made so frequently and are kept with the child as they grow and mature.

John Watson, the man whom created Behaviorism in psychology, believes that environment is much more influential than genetics. He once said “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants,

tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors (1930).” This with the prior example of nerve cell connections shows that no-matter who and where one came from you can change and achieve one’s dream.
Consider musical intelligence as an example of human capabilities.

For a very small population, genetics allows them to easily learn and play piano. These few are born with this talent and will have it for the rest of their life. However, for the majority of the population, one is introduced to music through their environment at home and struggle to learn it through education based on their own developmental patterns. But at the conclusion of the practicing and devotion, both are capable of playing the piano. This allows me to believe that even if genetics determine what we look like for example, we can always change it with surgery, scares, and even

sunlight.
Having great genes alone is worth little if it is not nurtured in healthy and stimulating environments. Sometimes people assume that they were born with extreme intelligence and they think that they do not have to work hard at being smart. They may be hurt by their own assumption that nature alone is important in developing their potential. Nature and nurture always work together but I do believe that even without specific genes that allow one to be gifted in something, one can still work hard and achieve. In conclusion, I do believe that environmental events impact a person more so than genes.