nature v nurture debate

Question 1

what is the nature vs nurture debate

Answer 1

• the debate about whether variations in psychological and behavioural traits are caused by innate or environmental factors

Question 2

what is nature

Answer 2

• innate
• internal process
• biological influences
• universal

Question 3

what is nurture

Answer 3

• learnt
• external processes
• environmental influences

Question 4

universality vs culturally specific

Answer 4

• universal features (found everywhere) would suugest an innate basis for behaviour and support the nature view
• culturally specific features (found in some places not others) would suggest that behaviour is learned and support the nuture view

Question 5

interactionist approach

Answer 5

• the view that nature and nurture work together to shape human behaviour

Question 6

evaluation - interactionism (twin studies)

Answer 6

• Nestadt et al found that 68% of MZ twins and 31% of DZ twins experience OCD
• role of genes: not a full explanation as rate is 68% not 100% for MZ twins
• other 32%/69% must come from environment
• diathesis-stress model explains role of genes and environment, diathesis is a biological vulnerability; being born with certain genes that predispose a person to developing a disorder, expression of these genes depends upon experiences a stresses which triggers the condition

Question 7

evaluation - interactionism - neuronal plasticity

Answer 7

• nature, hippocampus is an innate structure specialised for memory
• nurture environmental experience of learning routes modified the structure of hippocampus

Question 8

epigenetics

Answer 8

• genes can be switched on and off
• life experiences can switch specific genes
• switches are passed onto subsequent generations
• offspring inherit switched on/off genes depending on the experience of its ancestors

Question 9

interaction between heredity and environment

Answer 9

• passive heredity
• active heredity
• re-active heredity

Question 10

passive heredity - environment interaction

Answer 10

• intelligent parents provide a stimulating environment for their child and the child responds to this environment with increased intelligence
• nature, intelligence is innate
• nurture, stimulating environment increases intelligence

Question 11

active heredity - environment interaction

Answer 11

• an intelligent child actively seeks out stimulating friends and activities reinforcing and increasing their innate intelligence
• nature, intelligence is innatw
• nurture, actively creates stimulating environment

Question 12

re-active heredity - environment interaction

Answer 12

• an intelligent child actively seeks out a stimulating environment, other people react to this child by providing stimulating information materials
• nature, child is intelligent
• nurture, seeks out stimulating environment, fulfilled by other people