Nature/Nurture Debate

Question 1

Define Nature

Answer 1

refers to what we are born with - genes, hormones, brain structure and how these biological influences affect out behaviour

Question 2

Define Nurture

Answer 2

refers to how our enviroment eg. family background,education, role models, culture affect our behaviour

Question 3

Positions in nature/nurture debate

Answer 3

There is a debate in psychology over whether our behaviour is more influenced by our genes (nature) or our environment (nurture)

Question 4

Strengths of Nature

Answer 4

+ understanding biological influences on behaviour is important in identifying mental disorders

+ objective methods often used to look at how brain structure affects behaviour > scientific + establish cause and effect

Question 5

Weaknesses of Nature

Answer 5

• people not take personal responsibility as behaviour is due to genes/brain
• reductionist as doesnt show how behaviour is affected by both nature/nurture

Question 6

Strengths of nurture

Answer 6

+ enviro affects behaviour leads to practical applications eg. role models to change behaviour

+ encourages rehabilitation as changing enviro changes behaviour

Question 7

Weaknesses of Nurture

Answer 7

• reductionist + doesnt consider how human behaviour is likely to be combination of nature and nurture
• difficult to establish cause and effect > multiple enviromental factors