Nature and Nurture

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

The view that behaviour is a product of genetics or innate biological factors.

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

The view that behaviour is a product of environmental influences.

Question 3

Hereditary

Answer 3

The process by which traits are carried down from one generation to another (genetic inheritance).

Question 4

Diathesis stress model.

Answer 4

A psychological theory that attempts to explain the cause of a disorder as the result of an interaction between a pre dispositional vulnerability (diathesis) and a stressor.

Question 5

Interactionist approach.

Answer 5

The view that both nature and nurture interact and work together to shape human behaviour.

Question 6

the approaches on a nature- nurture continuum

Answer 6

NATURE
biological approach (most nature)
fucus on genetic, hormonal and neuro-chemical explanations of behaviour.

psychoanalysis
innate drives of sex and aggression (nature). social upbringing during childhood (nurture).

cognitive psychology
innate mental structures such as schemas, perception and memory are constantly changed by environment.

humanism
Maslow emphasised basic physical needs. society influences a persons self concept.

behaviourism (most nurture)
all behaviour is learned from the environment through conditioning.
NURTURE

Question 7

positive implications of the debate
interactionist approach

Answer 7

Maguire et al. investigated the hippocampi volume of London taxi drivers brains. She found that this region of the brain was larger in taxi drivers in comparison to non-taxi drivers. The hippocampus is an area of the brain heavily involved in spatial skills in humans and animals. Maguire concluded that the rigorous training including learning and recalling of all of the London streets and routes as well as experience driving the taxi (nurture) actually had an effect on the size of the hippocampi (nature) supporting the validity of the interaction of nature and nurture.

Question 8

positive implications of the debate
nature

Answer 8

research like that of Gottesman (schizophrenia) that finds higher concordance rates for genetic similarities can be used as a strength. When looking at the influence of nature vs nurture anything with a high % influence of genetics or brain abnormalities can be used as a support for nature.

a further implication o the debate is real world application. Research suggests that OCD is a highly heritable mental disorder. For example Nestadt put the heritability rate at .76. Such understanding can inform genetic counselling and other psychological strategies. This shows that the debate is not just theoretical but it is important on a practical level.

Question 9

negative consequences of the debate
Plomin

Answer 9

research by Plomin suggests that people create their own nurture by actively selecting environments that are appropriate for their ‘nature’. Thus a naturally aggressive child is likely to feel more comfortable with children who show similar behaviours and this further influences their development. Plomin refers to this as niche picking as it suggests that it doesn’t make sense to look at evidence for either nature or nature as people create their own nurture through their natures.

Question 10

negative consequences of the debate
reductionism

Answer 10

each side of the debate is reductionist and can be considered deterministic. This is because they do not take into account any other stances on behaviour other than their own. (this of course does not apply to the interactionist idea).