Nature VS Nurture

Question 1

What does the nature debate argue?

Answer 1

• Behaviour has its roots in physiology (e.g. genes and the functioning of our bodies’ hormones and nervous system)
• Those who stress nature reduce behaviour to biology, specifically the influence of genes, physical factors and what we’re born with

Question 2

What does the nurture debate argue?

Answer 2

• Behaviour is largely driven by environmental influences (learning socialisation/social norms)
• Those who stress nurture reduce behaviour to the social environment and claim we learn most of our behaviour from our environment

Question 3

What does the interactionist argument suggest?

Answer 3

• The true answer to the debate is that both nature and nurture influence behaviour, such as phenotypes
• Suggests that key genes may give individuals genetic predispositions to certain behaviours, however this is moderated by environmental forces

Question 4

What is heredity?

Answer 4

The genetic transmission of mental and physical characteristics from 1 generation to another

Question 5

What is the environment?

Answer 5

Any influence on human behaviour that is non genetic

Question 6

How is heredity assessed?

Answer 6

• Using the heritability coefficient
• Numerical figure ranging from 0-1 which indicates the extent that the characteristic has a genetic basis (1 means its entirely genetic determined)
• General heritability for IQ is accepted to be 0.5m suggesting both genetics and the environment are important factors that influence IQ

Question 7

What does Lerner argue?

Answer 7

• The nature nurture debate is impossible to answer because it’s almost impossible disentangle nature and nurture influences
• E.g. in twin studies it’s often difficult to tell if high concordance rates are due to shared genetics or shared environments

Question 8

What are the 2 parts of the interactionist approach?

Answer 8

1. Diathesis stress model
2. Epigenetics

Question 9

What is the diathesis stress model and what does it suggest?

Answer 9

• A model of mental illness that influences the interaction of nature and nurture influences
• Suggests that both nature and nurture are critical for mental illness

Question 10

How does the diathesis stress model link to psychopathology?

Answer 10

Suggests psychopathology is caused by a genetic/biological predisposition (the diathesis, such as a faulty C4 gene in schizophrenia) which is triggered by environmental factors (the stressors, such as drug abuse with schizophrenia)

Question 11

What is the research to support the diathesis stress model?

Answer 11

Tienari et al found that, in a group of Finnish adoptees, those most likely to develop schizophrenia had biological relatives with a history of the disorder (diathesis) and had dysfunctional relationships with their adoptive families (stress)

Question 12

What are epigenetics?

Answer 12

• A change in our genetic expression without changing our genetic code
• A process that happens through life and is caused by interaction with the environment
• Aspects of our environment and lifestyle (e.g. smoking/diet) leave epigenetic marks on our DNA, which tell our bodies which genes to use and which to ignore

Question 13

What is the research to support epigenetics?

Answer 13

• Dias and Ressler trained lab mice to fear a chemical scent of which was compared to cherries and almonds
• They wafted the scent around a small chamber whilst giving small electric shocks to male mice
• They eventually learned to associate the scent with pain, shuddering in the presence of acetophenone even without a shock
• This reaction was passed onto their offspring
• Despite never having encountered acetophenone in their lives, the offspring exhibited increased sensitivity when introduced to its smell, shuddering in its presence
• A 3rd generation of mice also experienced this reaction

Question 14

If the point is:

There is evidence that shows nature drives much of our behaviour.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 14

Evidence- Nestadt’s review of twin studies found a concordance rate of 68% for monozygotic twins but only 31% for dizygotic twins in cases of OCD. Hence, the closer the genetic relationship to a sufferer, the greater the risk of developing OCD. However, this research also demonstrates that genes cannot be the only factor in the development of OCD because, if genes were the only explanation then monozygotic twins would show 100% concordance rates in OCD. As this isn’t the case, there must also be environmental influences, like the imitation of role models.

Link- This evidence implies that the genetic explanation of OCD could be seen as theoretically flawed.

Question 15

If the point is:

The research to support the nature approach is flawed.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 15

Evidence- Whilst twin studies are often used to provide support for the nature argument, nearly all twin studies also highlight the need for an interactionist approach. Whereas, these results do provide evidence of a strong genetic component, as the concordance rate of monozygotic twins is significantly higher than dizygotic twins, suggesting that behaviour is partly attributed to nature because monozygotic twins share 100% genetic relatedness. However, these results also highlight the role of nurture as the concordance rate is not 100%, again highlighting the importance of taking an interactionist approach.

Link- Hence, this evidence offers less than convincing support for nature arguments.

Question 16

If the point is:

There is evidence for an interactionist approach in explaining human behaviour.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 16

Evidence- Maguire et al studied the brains of London taxi drivers by using an MRI and found significantly more grey matter on their posterior hippocampus than in the matched control group. This part of the brain is associated with the development of spatial and navigational skills in humans and other animals. As part of their training, London taxi drivers must take a complex test called ‘The Knowledge’, which assesses their recall of the city streets and possible routes. Also, there was a positive correlation between the longer the person had been doing their job and how pronounced the structural difference was.

Link- This shows a clear relationship between nature and nurture as, by engaging with the environment, they underwent biological changes

Question 17

If the point is:

The nature nurture debate could be said to have mass practical application for the benefit of society.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 17

Evidence- By assuming parenting is a learnt behaviour, we could offer parenting classes to reduce poor communication and relationships in the household, hopefully minimising the risk of developing schizophrenia. Likewise, if we assume that schizophrenia has biological roots, such as high levels of dopamine, we could promote medication that reduces dopamine activity, such as antipsychotics, to help reduce symptoms.

Link- This implies that both sides of the nature nurture debate have far reaching implications that are useful to society. As a result, the debate could actually benefit our understanding of illnesses like schizophrenia which would lead to applications such as drug therapy.

Question 18

What are the evaluation points for the nature nurture debate?

Answer 18

+ There is evidence that shows nature drives much of our behaviour
– The research to support the nature approach is flawed
+ There is evidence for an interactionist approach in explaining human behaviour
+ Could be said to have mass practical application for the benefit of society