nature vs nature debate

Question 1

define the nature side of the approach

Answer 1

• we are shaped by our genes, the inate structure of our brains, levels of NT’s and hormones

Question 2

define the nurture side of the approach

Answer 2

• we are shaped by our life experiences and the environment around us, including people and events that happen to us

Question 3

how does biology influence the environment?

Answer 3

• humans seek the company of others, need to bond and produce behaviours for this
• e.g. newborn babies respond to closeness with lower HR and respiration rates
• encouraged by social releasers such as eye contact

Question 4

what is an example of animal studies be used to investigate biology and the environment?

Answer 4

• rats that live in bare, dark cages grow fewer neural connections than rats raised in spacious and bright cages
• understimulated rats do poorly in tests of problem solving and slower to learn

Question 5

how do humans show an interaction of both genes and the environment?

Answer 5

• twins who share identical genotypes still grow up to develop different preferences and abilities (phenotype)

Question 6

what is the finnish adoption study that supports the diathesis stress model?

Answer 6

• 155 adopted children whose mothers had Sz
• also looked at quality of parenting through questionairres and interviews
• Sz mother group = 10% rate of Sz
• when the family environment was rated healthy then Sz levels were below general population rates

Question 7

what is the role of genes?

Answer 7

• many genes could impose a susceptibility to develop in a certain way
• a genetic potential that may of may not be realized by environmental circumstances