I&D4. The Nature/Nurture Debate

Question 1

Nature-Nurture Debate

Answer 1

• argument over whether development is mainly due to genes or environment
• ‘Interactionist’ approach between the two most widely accepted

Question 2

Environment

Answer 2

• non-genetic influence, everything outside of our body (e.g. people, events, physical world)
• LOCKE: mind is a ‘blank slate which experience writes upon’

Question 3

2 Environment ‘Levels’

Answer 3

• pre-natal: mothers physiological and psychological state during pregnancy
• post-natal: socio-historical context child grew up in

Question 4

Nature

Answer 4

• genetic influence (e.g. gene action, neurochemistry, neurotransmitters)

Question 5

Heredity

Answer 5

• traits passed from parents to offspring (genetic inheritance)

Question 6

Heritability Co-efficient

Answer 6

• quantify genetic basis of a characteristic
• (Plomin et al, 1994) e.g. intelligence = 0.5 = equal nature and nurture influences

Question 7

Interactionist Approach

Answer 7

nature and nurture work together, not in opposition

Question 8

Influence of Nature Example

Answer 8

• the closer individuals are related, the higher the likelihood they will develop similar behaviours
• schizophrenia concordance rates: 40% for MZ twins, 7% for DZ twins
• however, MZ twins concordance rates aren’t 100% (despite sharing 100% identical genetic info) which means environment plays significant role

Question 9

Influence of Nurture Example

Answer 9

• Behaviourism (behaviour explained using solely experience)
• Skinner: Classical and Operant Conditioning
• Attachment explaining through CC; food reduces discomfort of hunger (food = reward)

Question 10

+ Eval: Diathesis Stress Model and NN Debate

Answer 10

• diathesis = biological vulnerability/predisposition
• however, not everyone with candidate genes will develop the disorder
• expression of gene depends upon [diathesis + external stressor]
• Tienari et al. (2004); group of adoptees with schizophrenic mothers, and without (control)
• assessed after 12 years. Only 14 of the 300 developed it, and 11 were from ‘high risk’ group
• children in ‘tense environments’ with NO predisposition DIDN’T develop it
• children in ‘tense environments’ WITH predisposition DID develop it
• being raised in ‘healthy adoptive family’ has protective (positive) effect

Question 11

+ Eval: Constructivism

Answer 11

• nature effects nurture
• a naturally aggressive child is more likely to befriend other naturally aggressive children
• therefore increasing aggressiveness of child
• emphasises intertwining of nature + nurture