Nature/Nurture Flashcards
What is the nature/nurture debate?
-The nature/nurture debate is the argument about the extent to which a behaviour can be
explained by innate factors, genes, neurotransmitters, hormones, brain structure/activity (nature)
or by factors such as the environment and experience (nurture).
-This dichotomy is best illustrated by using biological psychology and learning theories.
What are the arguments for the nature explanation of behaviour?
-Arguments for nature come from any
biological theories and explanations for
behaviours.
-Biological psychology uses explanations from
genetics such as the innate structure of the
brain, abnormal activity in the brain and the
release of neurotransmitters or hormones
(nature).
-Evidence for the nature approach can come
from twin and adoption studies, or cross-
cultural studies that demonstrate similarities.
What are the arguments for the nurture explanation of behaviour?
-Arguments for nurture come from the
learning theories as they focus on the effects
of experience and environmental factors.
-Operant conditioning explains learning in
terms of consequences, such as rewards and
punishments, which are experiences that
shape future behaviour (nurture).
-Evidence for the nurture approach can come
from many places e.g. animal studies,
longitudinal studies, or cross-cultural studies
that demonstrate differences.
How are nature and nurture not mutually exclusive.
The nature nurture debate is not as dichotomous as previously thought and it is
now widely accepted that heredity and environment do not act independently
from each other, but they actually interact.
How does nature and nurture work together to shape behaviour?
-The role of neurotransmitters, hormones and the brain govern sleep (nature) but stress
levels and someone’s surroundings (nurture) will also play a role.
-Taking a recreational drug (environment) alters the biochemical processes in the body by
releasing dopamine in the brain (biology).
-The brains ability to reorganise itself by breaking and forming new neural connections
through life (nature) based on experiences (nurture).
Define the interactionist approach.
-An interactionist approach argues that several levels of explanation are necessary to explain a particular behaviour. These explanations range from lower levels (biological) to higher levels (social and cultural).
-An example of the interactionist approach is illustrated by the genetic disorder PKU. A child inherits the disorder PKU from their parents (genetic) but a low protein diet (experience) prevents the disorder from being expressed.
Describe the solution to the nature/nurture debate, the diathesis stress model.
-Diathesis: Biological vulnerability, eg inheriting a gene for the disorder. Genetic predisposition (nature).
-Stress: Environmental stressor to trigger the disorder. An appropriate environmental trigger (nurture).
The combination of the two results in a psychological disorder developing.
