L4 - Nature or Nurture Debate Flashcards
what is the nature nurture debate?
its possible that behaviour is governed by nature AND nurture, the nature nurture debate is about the relative contribution of these influences in determining an individual’s behaviour.
The nature side of the debate assumes that heredity, genes, hormones and biological factors are more important and the nurture side assumes that environmental factors and a person’s experiences are more important.
what is the NATURE ARGUMENT?
this is rooted in the NATIVIST THEORY that knowledge and abilities are INNATE, this does not simply refer to abilities present at birth but to any characteristic determied by genes.
The BIOLOGICAL APPROACH offers many genetic explanations for behaviour, the CONCORDANCE RATE for a mental disorder such as schizophrenia in MZ twins is 40% but its only DZ (dizygotic) twins its only 7% - the clloser concordance rate shows that nature is a major cause of mental disorders.
EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATIONS are based on the principle that a characteristic will be passed on via natural selection if it helps ensure our survival. BOWLBY proposed that ATTACHMENT is ADAPTIVE because it means and infant will be more likely to be protected and therefore more likely to survive. Attachment also promotes close relationships which would foster successful reproduction.
what is the NURTURE argument?
the nature argument is rooted in the EMPIRICIST THEORY that knowledge derives from learning. Our behaviour and traits are influenced by our environmental influences both in the physical and social world. Even pre natal environmental influences are part of nurture, like whether or not a mother smokes during pregnancy.
The BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH assumes that all behaviour can be explained in terms of experience alone. E.g it claims that babies attach to their mothers because they ASSOCIATE them with the pleasure they get from FOOD (CLASSICAL CONDITIONING). Social learning theory is a little less extreme than traditional behaviourism but essentially proposes that behaviours are learnt through environmental influences (observing others) and this supports the NURTURE debate.
The DOUBLE BIND theory of schizophrenia suggests that schizophrenia develops in children who frequently receive contradictory messages from their parents - e.g a mother telling their son they love them but showing a disgusted facial expression, these mixed messages prevent the child from developing an internally consistent construction of reality.
- INTERACTIONIST APPROACH
according to the INTERACTIONIST APPROACH nature and nurture are so closely intertwined that it doesnt make sense separating 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.
- DIATHESIS STRESS MODEL
DIATHESIS STRESS MODELS are models of mental illness which emphasise the interaction of nature and nurture in cauisng mental illness. This means that a mental disorder such as depression or schizophrenia is caused by a genetic vulnerability (diathesis) which is only expressed when theres an environmental trigger (stress).
TIENARI et AL 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.
- SCARR and McCARTNEY
a persons nature can affect the nuture they receive. SCARR and McCARTNEY et AL 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.
- MAGUIRE ET AL
several studies have shown that NURTURE AFFECTS NATURE. MAGUIRE ET AL 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 responded to increased use.
- EPIGENETICS
EPIGENETICS refers to a change in our genetic activity without changing our geneti code. It is a process that happens throughout our life and is caused by interaction with the environment.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, pollution leave EPIGENETIC MARKERS ON OUR DNA. These marks tell our bodies which genes to ignore and which to use, and in turn can influence the genetics of our children, and even their children.
EPIGENETICS therfore introduces a third element to the nature or nurture debate, the life experiences of the previous generation.
