Nature And Nurture Flashcards
Describe interactionalist approach linking to attachment
Cannot separate nature and nurture, relative contribution is what matters eg. Bowlby (parenting~) and kagan (child temperament)
What is the diathesis stress model?
Suggests behaviour caused by biological or environmental vulnerability, only expressed when coupled with a biological or environmental trigger/ stressor eg. OCD
What are epigenetics, list some risk factors
Change in our genetic activity without changing genes themselves. (Outside the double helix) caused by lifestyle and events. Eg. Smoking, trauma etc..
Can switch on or off DNA bases. May go on to influence offspring
Describe the nature side of the debate (Descartes)
Refers to inherited influences or hereditary.
Descartes argued all human characteristics are innate. Eg. Psychological characteristics determined by biological factors just as physical ones.
Describe the nature side of the debate (Locke)
Influence and experience of environment
Locke —> mind, blank slate at birth then influenced by environment (behaviourist approach)
How is the nature, nurture debate measures?
Correlation coefficient (concordance). Concordance can link to extent of a trait is inherited (heritability)
One strength (adoption studies) (AO3)
Useful as separate competing influences of nature and nurture.
Eg. If children more similar to adoptive parents more likely nurture influence. Vice verse
Meta analysis of adoption studies —> genetic influences accounted for 41% of variance in aggression.
Counterpoint of adoption studies (AO3)
Research suggests this approach may be misguided that they can be pulled apart and are two entities.
Plomin: people create own nurture by selecting environments that are appropriate for their nature. Eg. Aggressive child more comfortable with aggressive peers. (*niche picking)
One strength (epigenetics) (AO3)
One example of environmental effects can span generations presumably through epigenetics effects of WW2.
Dutch hunger winter: women whom pregnant during this had babies with low birth weights —> babies twice as likely to get schizophrenia. Suggests life experience can affect epigenetics.
