nature v nurture Flashcards
nature debate
suggests that human characteristics are innate - the result of our genes
nurture debate
suggest that the mind is a blank slate at birth, and is shaped by interaction with the environment.
example of intercationist debate
Diathesis stress model is an example of this because behaviour is caused by a biological/environmental vulnerability which is only expressed when coupled with a biological/environmental trigger
nature synoptic - point
The biological approach argues that behaviour stems from the genetic blueprint we inherit from our parents, though the expression of this is influenced by the environment.
nature synoptic - evidence
In psychopathology, Nestadt et al. reviewed twin studies and found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins.
nature synoptic - explain
This supports the nature debate as it means that Mz twins are genetically similar (share 100% of their genetic make-up) and are more likely to share OCD, meaning it is determined by a person’s nature.
nature synoptic - however
However, Cromer et al found in one sample over half of people with OCD experienced a traumatic event. OCD severity correlated positively with a number of traumas. Therefore suggesting that both nature and nurture play a role in human behaviour.
interactionist synoptic - point
The diathesis-stress model supports the interactionist approach because behaviour is caused by a biological/environmental vulnerability which is only expressed when coupled with a biological/environmental trigger.
interactionist synoptic - evidence
In forensics, Mednick et al. studied Danish adoptees having at least one court conviction. Conviction rates were 13.5% (when the biological or adoptive parents had no convictions), 20% (when one biological parent had a conviction), 24.5% (if both adoptive and biological parents had a conviction).
interactionist synoptic - explain
This supports the interactionist approach as it suggests that both genetic inheritance and environment influence criminality, supporting the interactionist approach.
nurture synoptic - point
SLT supports the nurture argument as they argue that we learn through
observation and imitation that takes place in our environment.
nurture synoptic - evidence
In Key Approaches, Bandura’s study of children watched an adult behave aggressively or non-aggressively towards a Bobo doll. He found that when given their own doll to play with, the children who had seen aggression were more aggressive towards t h e doll.
nurture synoptic - explain
This shows that the environment plays a key role in human behaviour as
the children imitated acts of violence they had observed in adult role models
nurture synoptic - however
However, as consistent findings of the study showed that boys were more
aggressive than girls, their behaviour maybe explained by biological factors, such as testosterone. Therefore suggesting that both nature and nurture play a role in
human behaviour.
one strenght in nature-nurture research is adoption studies
if adopted children are more similar to their adoptive parents, suggetss an environmental influence, if more similar to biological parents, suggests and genetic influence
Rhee and Waldman found in a meta analysis of adoption studies that genetic influences accounted for 41% 0f variance in aggression
this shows how reserach can seperate nature and nurture influences
one limitation is the implications of the debate
The extreme nativist stance is deterministic and has led to controversy, for example, linking ethnicity, genetics and intelligence to eugenics policies
empiricists suggest that any behaviour can be changed by altering environmental conditions, this may lead to a society that controls citizens
this shows that both positions, taken to extremes and may have dangerous consequences for society. so, an interactionist position is preferred
