Nature & Nurture

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

Assumes hereditary is more important in determining behaviour. Founded in nativist theory that characteristics/knowledge are innate

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

Assumes environment/experiences are more important in determining behaviour. Founded in empiricist theory that the mind is a blank slate, later shaped by experience

Question 3

Interactionist approach

Answer 3

Idea that both nature and nurture work together to shape behaviour. Psychologists consider relative contribution

Question 4

Diathesis-stress model

Answer 4

Idea that behaviour is caused by biological vulnerability but environmental stress can trigger it

Question 5

Epigenetics

Answer 5

Genes can be switched off/on as a result of environmental changes. Some epigenetic changes can be inherited

Question 6

Strengths of nature & nurture

Answer 6

NAT - Nature (eg. Tienari found after 12 years 7% of Finnish adoptees with genetic predisposition developed schizophrenia compared to 2% without)
NAT - Real world application (eg. Nedstat found heritability rate of OCD is 0.76 so genetic counsellors advise mitigation strategies)
NUR - Epigenetic research (eg. Women pregnant during Dutch hunger winter 1944 had low weight babies twice as likely to develop schizophrenia)

Question 7

Limitation of nature v nurture debate

Answer 7

• Difficulty separating nature and nurture (eg. Maguire study could be due to environmental factors or innate plasticity + twin studies)