Evaluation: The nature-nurture debate

Question 1

State the 1st evaluation point of the nature-nurture debate

Answer 1

Diathesis-stress

• Diathesis = biological vulnerability - genes that predispose a person to developing a disorder
• Gene depends on experience in a form of “stressor” which triggers the condition

therefore a person’s nature is only expressed under conditions of nurture
emphasises the importance of taking interactionist approach

Question 2

State the 2nd evaluation point of the nature-nurture debate

Answer 2

Nurture affects Nature

• life experiences shape your biology
• London Taxi drivers - region of their brains associated with spatial memory was bigger
• Not born this way - their hippocampi had responded to increased use

these give a clear demonstration of how nurture can affect nature

Question 3

State the 3rd evaluation point of the nature-nurture debate

Answer 3

Nature & Nurture can’t be separated

e.g the disorder phenylketonuria - prevents phenylalanine amino acid from being metabolised - causes brain damage

infant can be given diet devoid of phenylalanine - brain damage averted

if prevention can be achieved through environmental manipulation - condition is due to nature or nurture

highlights importance of interactionist approach