Nature and Nurture - AO1 Flashcards
1
Q
What do me mean by nature ?
A
Behaviour is seen as a product of biological or genetic factors. Our personality traits and abilities are in our nature.
2
Q
What do we mean by nurture ?
A
Behaviour is a product of our environmental influences. e.g upbringing and life experiences determine our behaviours.
3
Q
‘Debate’ ?
A
Relative contribution of nature and nurture to behaviour.
4
Q
2 Examples of the influence of nature:
A
1) Genetic explanations
2) Evolutionary explanations.
5
Q
Example of the influence of nature : Genetic explanations.
A
- Twin and adoption studies show closer 2 individuals are genetically the more likely they will develop the same behaviours.
- Example : Concordance rate for MZ twins (genetically identical) for schizophrenia is about 40% and 7% for DZ twins (50% genetically identical).
6
Q
Example of the influence of nature: Evolutionary explanations.
A
- An explanation based on behaviour promotes survival. Because such behaviours are adaptive.
- Example: Bowlby proposed attachment was adaptive because it meant the infant was more likely to survive. Also attachment promotes close relationships which would foster successful reproduction.
7
Q
3 Examples of the influence of nurture:
A
Behaviourism
Social learning theory
Other explanations.
8
Q
Behaviourism:
A
- Behaviourists all experiences can be explained in terms of experience alone, Skinner used classical and operant conditioning to explain learning.
- Example: behaviourists believed attachment could be explained in the terms of classical or operant conditioing (mother+food)
9
Q
Social learning theory:
A
- Bandura on top of classical and operant conditioning believed learning could also be learnt through vicarious reinforcement.
- He acknowledge biological factor had a role to play but the way someone expresses their behaviour is acquired through environmental influences.
