Nature & Nature

Question 1

What does the nature/nurture debate look at?

Answer 1

the extent to which our behaviour is determined by out biology and the genes we inherit (nature) , versus the influence of environmental factors (nurture) such as home and friends

Question 2

What is the nature viewpoint of the debate?

Answer 2

The view that all out behaviour is determined by out biology and our genes

Question 3

What is the main assumption of the nature approach?

Answer 3

Any particular behaviour has evolved because of its survival value

Question 4

What did Bowlby suggest? How does Bowlby’s theory link to evolutionary explanations?

Answer 4

Suggested that attachment behaviours are displayed because they ensure the survival of the infant and the perpetuation of the parents’ genes. This survival value is further increased because attachment has implication for later relationship formation which will ultimately promote successful reproduction

Question 5

What are some strengths of the nature viewpoint of the debate?

Answer 5

• Bowlby’s explanation of attachment foes not ignore environmental influences
• The experience of sensitive caregiving leads a child to develop expectations that others will be equally sensitive

Question 6

What are some limitations of the nature viewpoint of the debate?

Answer 6

• Problem of transgenerational effect which is that behaviour which appears to be determined by nature, may in fact be determined by nurture

Question 7

What is the interactionist approach in terms of the debate?

Answer 7

The view that the processes of nature and nurture work together rather than in opposition

Question 8

How are genetic explanations an example of the influence of nature?

Answer 8

Higher concordance rates in monozygotic twins (share 100% of DNA) compared to dizygotic twins (Share 50% of DNA)
However, never 100% concordance rates for MZ which would be expected which means that nurture and the environment play a significant role

Question 9

What is the nurture viewpoint of the debate?

Answer 9

The opposite view that all behaviour is learnt and influenced by external factors such as the environment

Question 10

What do empiricists believe? Which side of the debate do they support?

Answer 10

They believe that all knowledge is gained through experience
Support nurture

Question 11

How does the behaviourist approach support the nurture viewpoint of the debate?

Answer 11

They assume all behaviour is learnt through the environment

Question 12

What does the Social learning theory propose? How does this link to the nurture viewpoint?

Answer 12

They propose that much of what we learn is through observation and vicarious reinforcement

Question 13

Example of SLT demonstrating learning through observation?

Answer 13

Bandura demonstrated through his Bobo doll experiment. Children watching aggressive adults towards the doll, went on to be aggressive towards the doll

Question 14

What is another assumption of the nurture approach, relating to schizophrenia?

Answer 14

Double bind hypothesis

Suggests that schizophrenia develops because children receive contradictory messages from their parents

Question 15

What is a strength of the nurture viewpoint?

Answer 15

Empirical evidence shows that behaviour is learnt and can be modified through conditioning`

Question 16

What is a limitation of the nurture viewpoint?

Answer 16

Ignores any genetic influences

Question 17

What is the main issue with just looking at one side of the debate?

Answer 17

It is limiting as it underestimates the complexity of human behaviour
You need to look at how they interact with each other to get a complete explanation of behaviour

Question 18

What is an example of a theory that looks at both nature/nurture?

Answer 18

The diathesis stress model of schizophrenia
Suggests that people may inherit a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia but it has to be triggered by an environmental stressor for the illness to be caused

Question 19

Which study supports the idea that nurture affects nature?

Answer 19

Maguire et al - London taxi drivers
Taxi drivers had a larger area of the brain which is associated with spatial memory than in the controls.
Positive correlation between increasingly pronounced changes and an increasing length of time that individuals had been taxi drivers.

Question 20

How does epigenetics link to the nature/nurture debate?`

Answer 20

Material in each cell which acts like a switch to turn genes on or off and these can be controlled by life experiences and then this is passed on when the DNA is replicated.

Question 21

What do nativists believe?

Answer 21

That anatomy is destiny and the environment has little impact

Question 22

What is constructivism?

Answer 22

People create their own ‘nurture’ by selecting environments that are appropriate to their ‘nature’.
Eg. naturally aggressive children are more likely to play with and befriend other aggressive children as this is where they are comfortable but this would increase the aggressiveness of the child