nature-nurture debate eval

Question 1

Implications of nativism and empiricism

Answer 1

Nativists suggest that in that our inherited genetic make-up determines our characterisitics and behaviour whilst the environement has little input. Extreme determinist stance has led to controversy such as that which attempted to link race,genetics and intelligence and application of eugenics. Behaviour shaping has had practical application in therapy. Desirable behaviours are selectively reinforced and desirable behaviour are punished or ignored.

Question 2

Shared and Unshared environments

Answer 2

Idea of shared and unshared environments introduced by Dunn and Plomin suggests that individual experiences mean that siblings may experience life events differently.

This would explain finding that even MZ twins reared together do not show perfect concordance rates which supports the view that heredity and the environment cannot be meaningfully separated.

Question 3

Constructivism

Answer 3

Notion that genes and environment interact is elaborated by constructivism. People create their own nurture by actively selecting environments that are appropiate for their nature. Thus, a naturally aggressive child is likely to feel comfortable around children who show similar behaviours and will choose their environment accordingly. This environment affects their development. Plomin refers to this as niche picking and niche builiding further evidence that it is impossible and illogical to try and separate nature and nurture influences on the childs behaviour.

Question 4

Genotype-environment interaction

Answer 4

Scarr and McCartney have put forward a theory of gene-environment interaction that includes three types. Passive interaction - the parent genes influence the way they treat their children. Evocative interaction- child’s gene influence and shape the environment in which they grow up. Active interaction- the child creates its own environment through the people and experiences it selects.