Debates- Nature vs Nurture

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

our behaviour is explained as a result of our genetic inheritance (we are born that way)

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

our behaviour is explained by how we have been brought up (all behaviour is learned after birth)

Question 3

interactionist

Answer 3

that your behaviour is a combination of both nature and nurture.

Question 4

Strengths of claiming behaviour can be explained by nature

Answer 4

Supported by evidence appearing to be difficult to change

Could potentially be useful, albeit only be pointing towards genetic modification or other biological interventions

Probably not ethnocentric as biological factors will affect people the same way anywhere

Question 5

Weaknesses of claiming that behaviour can be explained by nature

Answer 5

Of limited accountability: it may not be possible to do anything to change a person’s nature

Too reductionist: behaviour is too complicated to be attributed to single genes

Could be socially damaging if identifying a problem that someone can’t change about themselves

Question 6

Strengths that behaviour can be claimed by nurture

Answer 6

It is supported by evidence of behaviour being open to change (e.g. via operant conditioning or social learning)

Can be useful, suggesting ways to change behaviour by changing how a child is brought up

Question 7

Weaknesses of claiming that behaviour can be claimed by nuture

Answer 7

Might be ethnocentric as cultures will vary in how people are brought up within them

Could be socially sensitive, leading children to blame their parents for how they were brought up