2A Nature versus Nurture Flashcards
What does the term ‘psychological development’ refer to?
Cognitive, emotional and social growth over time
Psychological development refers to how we grow and change over time, including personality traits, temperaments, skills, and passions developed over a lifespan.
What are hereditary factors (nature)?
Factors that influence development, which are genetically passed down from biological parents to their children
Hereditary factors include genetic predispositions to traits, diseases, and personality traits.
What are environmental factors (nurture)?
Factors from an individual’s physical or social surroundings that influence development
Environmental factors can include family relationships, cultural context, and educational experiences.
What is genetic predisposition?
An increased likelihood to develop certain traits, including diseases, if certain conditions are met
At age one, children recognize on average how many words?
50 words
By age three, how many words do children recognize on average?
1,000 words
By age five, how many words do children recognize on average?
10,000 words
What is the primary debate in the nature-nurture discussion?
Whether hereditary factors or environmental factors make us who we are
What is the key takeaway regarding the interaction of nature and nurture?
Most traits result from a combination of both hereditary factors and environmental influences
What is the difference between hereditary and environmental factors in regards to psychological development?
Hereditary factors refer to genetic material, whereas environmental factors refer to the physical and social context
Fill in the blank: Psychological development results from a combination of _______ and _______.
hereditary factors, environmental factors
True or False: Psychological development is primarily a result of hereditary factors.
False
True or False: Psychological development results from a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
True
What are some examples of hereditary factors that influence psychological development?
- Personality traits, such as kindness
- Genetic predispositions to traits and diseases
- Mental health disorders
What are some examples of environmental factors that influence psychological development?
- Family relationships
- Cultural context
- Educational experiences
What does the biopsychosocial model take into account?
The interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding human development
Describe the impact of nature and nurture using Josh’s example.
Josh inherited sporting skills from his mother and had his interest nurtured through family support and participation in sports
