Nature v nurture

Question 1

Nature approach

Answer 1

Biological approach

Question 2

Nurture approach

Answer 2

Behavioural approach

Question 3

Interactionist approaches

Answer 3

Psychodynamic, cognitive, humanistic approach

Question 4

Nature

Answer 4

Our innate influences are referred to as nature

The nature side of debate argues that all behaviour is a product of biological/genetic factors

Family, twin and adoption studies have shown that the closer 2 individuals are genetically, the more likely it is that both of them will develop the same behaviours e.g. concordance rate for schizophrenia in MZ is 48%, 17% in DZ

Behaviours that promote survival are adaptive and are passed onto future generations via genetics

Question 5

Nurture

Answer 5

Environmental influences are acquired through interactions with the environment, there are referred to as nurture

Nurture side of debate argues that all behaviours are a product of learning (e.g. through upbringing, schooling, peers and family)

Behavioural psychologists say that all behaviour can be explained in terms of experience alone and how we have learnt through classical, operant and SLT

Question 6

Interactionist

Answer 6

View that the processes of nature and nurture work together to determine our behaviour rather in opposition

Question 7

Psychodynamic approach interactionist

Answer 7

Psychodynamic approach states that we are born with innate biological instincts and unconscious drives (nature),

but how we resolve these conflicts and progress through the psycho-sexual stages of development is largely affected by our upbringing and experiences (nurture)

Question 8

Cognitive approach interactionist

Answer 8

Cognitive approach believes that we are all born with abilities and capabilities in terms of information processing (nature)

but the types of thoughts we have (e.g. schemas and therefore stereotypes) are based on our experiences (nurture)

Question 9

Humanistic approach interactionist

Answer 9

Humanistic approach favours nurture because it recognises that as unique individuals we all have different experiences which contribute to us achieving self-actualisation,

However it also recognises the influence of biological drives and needs (eg. Physiological needs must be met first before progressing up maslow’s hierarchy of needs)

Question 10

Diathesis

Answer 10

A biological vulnerability e.g being born with a certain gene which predisposes you to developing a certain disorder

Question 11

Phenylketonuria

Answer 11

An inherited disorder resulting in brain damage, however, if detected at birth, brain damage can be avoided

Question 12

Epigenetics

Answer 12

Material in cells in the body which acts like a set of switches to turn genes on or off

Question 13

Diathesis-stress model

Answer 13

Idea that expression of a gene depends on experience in the form of a stressor which triggers the condition

Question 14

Peel 4

Answer 14

An interactionist approach would give the best explanation of behaviour

This is the view that the processes of nature & nurture work together to determine our behaviour rather than in opposition

The disorder PKU is a genetic disorder (nature) but if it is identified at birth, the infant can be given a restricted diet (nurture) to avoid brain damage

This highlights the importance of taking an interactionist approach when considering both nature and nurture