I and D: nature vs nurture debate Flashcards
What does the nature-nurture debate refer to?
The possibility that behaviour is governed by nature (genes) and nurture (environment and experiences)
It assesses the relative contribution of each influence on human behaviour.
What is the interactionist approach in psychology?
An approach that considers the interaction between biological and environmental factors in shaping behaviour
It emphasizes that both nature and nurture play a role in human development.
Define the diathesis-stress model.
A model suggesting behaviour is caused by a biological or environmental vulnerability (diathesis) expressed when coupled with a trigger (stressor)
This model highlights the interaction between predisposition and environmental factors.
Give an example of the diathesis-stress model.
A person with a genetic vulnerability for OCD may not develop the disorder unless triggered by a traumatic experience
This illustrates how genetic predispositions can interact with environmental stressors.
What does the study by Dias and Ressler suggest about heredity and the environment?
It suggests that environmental interactions can influence genetic activity and behaviour across generations
Mice exposed to a specific scent and shocks exhibited fear, which was also observed in their offspring and grandchildren.
explain Dias and Ressler’s study
they gave male mice electric shocks every time they were exposed to the smell of acetophenone
the mice displayed fear
their children and grandchildren also feared the smell
there’s an epigenetic mark left on DNA
What is epigenetics?
A change in genetic activity without altering the genetic code, influenced by environmental interactions
It involves epigenetic marks on DNA that can be caused by lifestyle and life events.
Fill in the blank: The diathesis-stress model involves a biological or environmental _______ that is expressed with a _______.
vulnerability; trigger
True or False: Epigenetics refers to permanent changes in the DNA sequence.
False
Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself.
how to measure nature and nurture
concordance rate is used to see the extent to which a trait is inherited
1 percent means genes contribute nothing, 100 percent means genes are the only reason for individual differences
AO3: real life application
applied to OCD
Nestadt put heritability rate at 76 percent
this informs genetic counselling so that people can get advise about their likelihood of developing OCD and try to prevent it by reducing stress
shows debate is relevant on a practical level
AO3: research to support epigenetics
applicable to WW2, 22,000 Ducth people starved due to food being blocked by Nazis
women who were pregnant had low weight babies > when they grew up they were twice as likely to get SZ compared to a control group
shows experiences of the previous gen leaves epigenetic markers
AO3: adoption studies
useful as it separates nature and nurture
if children are like adopted parents then nurture is more important, if they’re more like bio parents then nature is more important
AO3: constructivism
suggests genes and environment interact
people create their own nurture by choosing environments appropriate to their nature
eg: a naturally aggressive child will feel comfortable with children with similar behaviours and will choose their environment accordingly
therefore you can’t separate the influence of nature and nurture
