I&D- Nature vs Nurture

Question 1

What is the nature vs nurture debate?

Answer 1

• A debate about the relative contribution of nature/hereditary factors like genes and nurture/experiences from interaction with world in determining an individual’s behaviour.

Question 2

nature theory

Answer 2

• The nature theory is rooted in the NATIVIST theory that knowledge and abilities are innate
• Nativists assume biological/hereditary genes are more important undermining behaviour

(eg: levels of dopamine in SZ)

Question 3

What are evolutionary explanations based on?

Answer 3

• Evolutionary explanations are based on the principle that a characteristic which promotes survival and reproduction will be naturally selected because it is far more likely to be passed on to subsequent generations.
• Bowlby (1969) proposed that attachment is adaptive because it means an infant will be more likely to be protected and therefore more likely survive.
• Attachment also promotes close relationships which would foster successful reproduction.

Question 4

How does the biological approach offer genetic explanations for behaviour?

Answer 4

• The biological approach offers many genetic explanations for behaviour.
• The concordance rate for a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, in monozygotic twins is 40%, but for dizygotic twins. is only 7%.
• The closer concordance rate for individuals with the
  same genes shows that nature is a major cause of mental disorders.

Question 5

nurture theory

Answer 5

• The nurture theory is rooted in the EMPIRICIST theory that knowledge derives from learning.
• Environmental influences are acquired through interactions with the environment.
  -This includes both the physical and the social world and is often referred to as experiences.
• Pre-natal environmental influences are part of
  nurture, for example whether or not a mother smokes during pregnancy.

(EG: SLT, Bobo Doll study shows behaviour can be learnt from environment)

Question 6

What does the behavioural approach assume?

Answer 6

• The behavioural approach assumes that all behaviour can be explained in terms of experience alone.
• For example, it claims that babies attach to their mothers because they associate them with the pleasure they get from food (classical
  conditioning) .

Question 7

What is the social learning theory?

Answer 7

• Social Learning Theory is a little less extreme than traditional behaviourism.
• Studies have shown that that behaviour, such as aggression (Bandura, 1963), is learnt through observing the behaviour of others (nurture) but does acknowledge that the urge to behave aggressively is biological (nature).
• The important point is that the way a person expresses anger is acquired through environmental influences.

Question 8

Which approaches support the nature debate?

Answer 8

Biological Approach

Question 9

Which approaches support the nurture debate?

Answer 9

• Humanistic Approach

- Behaviourist Approach

Question 10

Which approaches support both the nature and nurture debate?

Answer 10

• Psychodynamic approach
• Social Learning Theory
• Cognitive Approach

Question 11

Evaluate the nature or nurture debate.

Answer 11

1) According to the Interactionist Approach nature and nurture are so closely intertwined that it makes little sense to separate them.
- The general heritability figure in IQ tests is around 0.5, this means that both genetics and the environment are important factors in determining an individual’s intelligence.

2) Diathesis Stress Models are models of mental illness which emphasise the interaction of nature and nurture in causing mental illness.
- This means that a psychopathology, such as depression or schizophrenia, is caused by a genetic
vulnerability (diathesis) which is only expressed when there is an environmental trigger (stress).
- Tienari et al. (2004) found that in a group of Finnish adoptees, those most likely to get schizophrenia had biological relatives with the disorder and relationships with their adopted family that were dysfunctional.

3) A person’s nature can affect the nurture they receive.
- Scarr and McCartneyet al. (1983) found that as children get older they seek out experiences that
suit their genes.
- The influence of genetics actually increases as a child gets older.

4) Several studies have shown that nurture affects nature.
- Maguire et al. (2000) found that London Taxi drivers have a larger hippocampus than a control group.
- This is because the hippocampus deals with spatial memory.
- They were not born this way, the hippocampus has responded to increased use.