2.3: The nature-nurture debate

Question 1

Briefly outline one problem of the nature viewpoint and one problem with the nurture viewpoint (4 marks)

Answer 1

One problem with the nature viewpoint is that if behaviour was solely a result of genetics, then twin studies would show concordance rates of 100% between identical (MZ) twins.
However, they do not, which suggests environmental influences also play a part

Question 2

Briefly outline one problem of the nature viewpoint and one problem with the nurture viewpoint (4 marks).
One problem with the nature viewpoint is that if behaviour was solely a result of genetics, then twin studies would show concordance rates of 100% between identical (MZ) twins.
However, they do not, which suggests environmental influences also play a part.

One problem with the nurture viewpoint

Answer 2

One problem with the nurture viewpoint is that research indicates biology does play an important role in determining behaviour.
For example, evolution can explain differences between male and female reproductive behaviour, which suggests that relationships are best explained by reference to nature, not nurture

Question 3

Jamie is a healthy 18-year-old of average intelligence. When he was six days old, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. His parents were informed that, as a result of the disorder, Jamie would have severe learning difficulties unless he was kept on a special diet. His parents followed this advice and Jamie has not suffered any damage to his intelligence or to his learning abilities.
In the context of the nature-nurture debate in psychology, outline what is meant by an interactionist approach.
Refer to Jamie’s case in your answer (4 marks)

Answer 3

An interactionist approach is behaviour due to combined influences of nature and nurture.
One mark for elaboration e.g. what is meant by nature/what is meant by nurture or reference to phenotype/genotype distinction

Question 4

Jamie is a healthy 18-year-old of average intelligence. When he was six days old, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. His parents were informed that, as a result of the disorder, Jamie would have severe learning difficulties unless he was kept on a special diet. His parents followed this advice and Jamie has not suffered any damage to his intelligence or to his learning abilities.
In the context of the nature-nurture debate in psychology, outline what is meant by an interactionist approach.
Refer to Jamie’s case in your answer (4 marks).
An interactionist approach is behaviour due to combined influences of nature and nurture.
One mark for elaboration e.g. what is meant by nature/what is meant by nurture or reference to phenotype/genotype distinction.

Answer 4

Jamie has inherited a genetic disorder (nature).
However, whether or not the effects of this condition are expressed depend on the environment (nurture).
This shows that it is not possible to separate nature and nurture