b1 - the nature / nurture debate

Question 1

nature

Answer 1

• genetic inheritance
• biological factors
• genetic makeup
• physical factors such as gender, weight, height, eye colour, hair colour etc.
• disabilities

Question 2

nurture

Answer 2

• external factors
• environment bought up in
• social influences
• quality of life (housing etc)
• ways of parenting
• secure / insecure attachments
• bonds with others / friendships

Question 3

maturation

Answer 3

• genetically programmed sequence of change

physical changes - puberty, menopause, greying of hair, physical appearance changing, wrinkles

Question 4

genetic or inherited factors - gesells maturation theory

Answer 4

• developed methodology or ‘normative approach’ in which he observed large numbers of children to find skills and abilities that they had with each age group
• findings used to establish norms or milestones for each developmental aspect
• gesell noted that that each child moved through sequence at their own pace
• concluded that development was predetermined and that envionment had little influence, so if a child experiences delayed development it is due to heredity rather than the environment or circumstances
• milestones are helpful for educators and parents to measure development and recognise delay
• however, it is important to recognise individual difference in children who are affected by environmental factors

Question 5

gesell evaluation - limitations

Answer 5

• critics suggest that the maturation theory is not helpful in explaining individual or cultural differences or for children with learning difficulties

Question 6

environmental factors - bandura’s social learning theory

Answer 6

• based on observations of learning occurring through observing behaviour of others
• suggested there are 4 stages of behavioural learning
• firstly, child notices behaviour of another person, likely to be someone close to them or someone they admire
• secondly, child internalises action by remembering what they observed
• thirdly, they will reproduce the behaviour when the opportunity arises
• lastly, depending on the outcome (positive or negative reinforcement), children will either repeat this behaviour or desist
• bandora based his theory on experiment using bobo doll in which he investigated children copying aggressive behaviour after observing an adult displaying this behaviour