Nature & Nature Flashcards
What does the nature/nurture debate look at?
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
What is the nature viewpoint of the debate?
The view that all out behaviour is determined by out biology and our genes
What is the main assumption of the nature approach?
Any particular behaviour has evolved because of its survival value
What did Bowlby suggest? How does Bowlby’s theory link to evolutionary explanations?
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
What are some strengths of the nature viewpoint of the debate?
- 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
What are some limitations of the nature viewpoint of the debate?
- Problem of transgenerational effect which is that behaviour which appears to be determined by nature, may in fact be determined by nurture
What is the interactionist approach in terms of the debate?
The view that the processes of nature and nurture work together rather than in opposition
How are genetic explanations an example of the influence of nature?
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
What is the nurture viewpoint of the debate?
The opposite view that all behaviour is learnt and influenced by external factors such as the environment
What do empiricists believe? Which side of the debate do they support?
They believe that all knowledge is gained through experience
Support nurture
How does the behaviourist approach support the nurture viewpoint of the debate?
They assume all behaviour is learnt through the environment
What does the Social learning theory propose? How does this link to the nurture viewpoint?
They propose that much of what we learn is through observation and vicarious reinforcement
Example of SLT demonstrating learning through observation?
Bandura demonstrated through his Bobo doll experiment. Children watching aggressive adults towards the doll, went on to be aggressive towards the doll
What is another assumption of the nurture approach, relating to schizophrenia?
Double bind hypothesis
Suggests that schizophrenia develops because children receive contradictory messages from their parents
What is a strength of the nurture viewpoint?
Empirical evidence shows that behaviour is learnt and can be modified through conditioning`
What is a limitation of the nurture viewpoint?
Ignores any genetic influences
What is the main issue with just looking at one side of the debate?
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
What is an example of a theory that looks at both nature/nurture?
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
Which study supports the idea that nurture affects nature?
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.
How does epigenetics link to the nature/nurture debate?`
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.
What do nativists believe?
That anatomy is destiny and the environment has little impact
What is constructivism?
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
