comparisons: nature vs nurture

Question 1

How does the biological approach support the nature side?

Answer 1

It is the strongest form as it states that behaviour is a result of genetics which we inherit from our parents.

Question 2

How does the behaviourist approach support the nurture side?

Answer 2

It sees babies as blank states at birth and suggests that all behaviour is learnt.

Question 3

Why is the psychodynamic approach hard to categorise?

Answer 3

Freud thought that most of our behaviour is driven by biological instincts but he also suggested that relationships with parents influence behaviour.

Question 4

How does the humanistic approach support the nurture side?

Answer 4

It says friends, family and wider society have a critical impact on a person’s self-concept.

Question 5

How does the cognitive approach support the nurture and nature side?

Answer 5

it recognises that information and schema are innate but they also point out that these are constantly refined through experience.