8 - STUDYING BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Question 1

What are the five methods for investigating the effects of nature and nurture on brain development?

Answer 1

Animal experiment, Twin studies, cross-cultural studies, Newborn studies, brain damage studies

Question 2

explain animal experiments

Answer 2

Scientists study the effect of different environments on the same species, therefore, they study the nurture rather than the nature

Question 3

explain twin studies

Answer 3

Identical twins are raised separately so they’ll have identical genes but different environments and therefore differences between them are due to nurture, and any similarities are due to nature.

Question 4

explain cross-cultural studies

Answer 4

Children brought up In different cultures have different environmental influences and therefore scientists can study the effects of a different upbringing on brain development, therefore if there any differences it most likely due to nurture,

Question 5

explain newborn studies

Answer 5

the brain of the baby hasn’t been influenced by the environment, and therefore scientist can see the nature rather than the nurture

Question 6

explain brain damage studies

Answer 6

This is when scientists compare the development of chosen functions in children with and without brain damage. If the characteristic still develops in children who have brain damage, then brain development is more likely to be due to nurture. If It doesn’t develop in children who have brain damage, then brain development is more likely to be due to nature.