Nature Vs Nurture Flashcards
What is the difference between nature and nurture?
- Nature refers to our genetic inheritance and other biological factors; this is what we are born with and is innate.
- Nurture refers to the environmental around us and how it influences us ( our behaviour etc)
What is maturation?
- A genetically programmed sequence of change (example: onset of menopause)
Explain Gesell’s maturation theory
Aim: To see if part of children’s growth is determined by genetically determined physiological processes (biological maturation)
- His findings from the observations were used to establish norms/milestones for each developmental aspect.
- From his observations he concluded that development is predetermined and that the environment has little influence.
- Gesell believed that if there was a delay in the child’s development then it was down to heredity.
- Critics of Gesell’s theory said that the maturation theory is not helpful in explaining individual or cultural differences or for children with learning difficulties.
- Applies the principles of nature.
Explain Bandura’s social learning theory
- Bandura believes that children learn though observing the behaviour of others.
- 4 stages of Bandura’s social learning theory: Attention, internalisation, motivation and motor reproduction
- Modelling from adults is important for a child to set a good example of appropriate behaviour.
- This theory is based on the bobo doll study
- Applies the principles of nurture
What is positive reinforcement?
- Being rewarded immediately/ has personal satisfaction so they repeat the behaviour again. For example giving a child pocket money for showing a desired behaviour ( they will be now more likely to repeat it in order to get rewarded)
What is negative reinforcement?
- When behaviour is not repeated to avoid a negative consequence. for example; taking away toys as a result of bad behaviour.
Explain the stress diathesis model
- the stress diathesis model helps explain how stress caused by life events can interact with an individuals genetic vulnerability to impact their mental wellbeing.
- high levels of stress can be caused by life events
- high levels of stress can trigger mental illnesses (onset pre-disposition)
- If you have a high predisposition and you suffer from stress then this theory suggests that you are more likely to develop a mental illness.
- This applies both nature and nurture.
What are 3 key physical milestones that you would expect to re from infancy to childhood?
- crawling, cruising and walking
How many pairs of chromosomes does each living cell in the human body have in its nucleus?
23
What do genes determine?
-physical characteristics
What are genes made of?
DNA
What does DNA contain?
Nucleotides
What is a predisposition?
- The possibility of developing a certain condition
What is a genetic predisposition ?
When you inherit the possibility from one or both biological parents
What are the signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
- defective protein being produced, causing lungs to be clogged with thick sticky mucus
- problems absorbing nourishment from food
- respiratory and chest infections
What is cystic fibrosis caused by?
- Faulty gene that is recessive (both parents must be carriers)- 1/4 chance of developing it.
What support is available for cystic fibrosis?
- physiotherapy to help clear mucus
- drugs to control breathing, throat + lung infections
- special diet and drugs to help with absorption
What are the sign/symptoms of Brittle Bone disease?
- high risk of fracturing/breaking their bones easily due to not enough collagen.
What is brittle bone disease caused by?
- can be developed from a genetic mutation or is passed from parents
What support is available for people with brittle bone disease?
- physiotherapy
- assistive equipment
- drug treatment
What are the signs/symptoms of Phenyl Ketonuria (PKU)?
- Eating foods that contain phenylalamine leads to the build of harmful substances which damages brain development.
- undetected PKU can cause failure to meet developmental milestones and experience developmental delay.
- severe learning disability and even death
What causes PKU?
- genetic disorder
What support is available for individuals with PKU?
- incurable but:
- special diet and medication to prevent buildup up of harmful substances
- all UK babies are screened by dong a heel-prick test ( if they have a high phenylaline then they will receive immediate treatment)
What are the signs/ symptoms of huntingtons disease?
- progressive damage to certain nerve cells in the brain
- effects muscle coordination
- mental decline, behavioural changes
- psychiatric problems
What are the causes of huntingtons disease?
- occurs between ages 35-55yrs
- inherited neurodegenerative genetic disorder
What support is available for huntingtons?
- other people for care and support
What are the signs/symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome?
- slow reaching milestones
- born with undescended testicle
- poor muscle power, delayed communication and passive personality
- difficulty socialising and expressing feelings of
- mild learning difficulties
- low energy
-lack of testosterone
What are the causes of Klinefelter syndrome?
- Extra X chromosome is acquired after the baby is conceived (only in boys)
What support is available for Klinefelter syndrome?
- treatment for low testosterone levels
What are the signs/symptoms of Down’s syndrome ?
- varying levels of disability
- physical characteristic features
- higher incidence of depression
- common hearing, visual and heart problems.
What causes Down’s syndrome?
- genetic condition as a result of an extra chromosome
What support is there for people with Down’s syndrome?
- improved h&sc support
- education has provided opportunities for them to leave home + live independently to form relationships + employment.
What are the symptoms of blindness?
- difficulty distinguishing between different colours
What is colour blindness caused by?
- Genetic abnormality in the retina
- could be as a result of diabetes and multiple sclerosis
- ageing
- side effect from medications
What support is available for people with colour blindness?
- using appropriate colour schemes when producing printed information
What are the signs/symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
- prevents body from producing a vital muscle protein called dystrophin
- gross motor skills are severely affected.
- severe health problems as the muscles in heart and lungs weaken
What causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
- inherited genetic condition which gradually weakens muscles lead ing to disability
- changes in the genes which are responsible for the structure and functioning of a persons muscles
- inherited on the female gene but is only passed on to male offspring
- genetic mutation on X chromosome.
What support is available for those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy ?
- research and medical advances which is increasing the life expectancy
- correct specialists in h&sc
According to the world health organisation , what do diseases involve?
- environmental factors and complex interaction of many genes
What does susceptibility mean?
- An increased likelihood of acquiring a disease because of an individuals genetic make up
Examples of diseases/disorders that are more likely to occur in individuals with a susceptibility?
- cancer, diabetes and high blood cholesterol
What are the sings and symptoms of cancer?
- lumps in the body
- unexplained bleeding
- changes to bowel habits
What can cause cancer?
- cell disease that results in them becoming abnormal and dividing to make even more abnormal cells
- attributed to environmental and lifestyle factors
What support is available for individuals with cancer?
- chemotherapy
- surgery
- radiotherapy
What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?
- high/low insulin levels
- tired, low energy levels
- blurry vision and unexplained weight gain/loss
What can cause diabetes?
- chronic condition
- environment and lifestyle
- genetic predisposition
What support is available for individuals who have diabetes?
- insulin
- weight loss
- islet cell transplant
- medication
- diet and exercise
What are the signs/symptoms of high blood cholesterol?
- too much fatty substance causing build up in artery walls
- can cause heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases
What causes high blood cholesterol?
- unhealthy diet, smoking and lack of exercise
- fatty substance carried around the body by proteins
- inherited condition; gene alteration
What support is available for individuals with high blood cholesterol?
-healthy diet
- exercise
- medication
-what can be some of the effects of a child born from a mother who smokes?
- reduced weight
- prone to infections
- twice as likely to die of cot death
- learning disability
What are the signs and symptoms of foetal alcohol syndrome?
- developmental and physical defects
- smaller heads and poor brain development
- heart defects and learning disability
- neurological problems
What causes foetal alcohol syndrome?
- drinking alcohol during the pregnancy
What support is available for individuals with foetal alcohol syndrome?
- support groups
What are the signs and symptoms of maternal infections during pregnancy?
- impaired hearing and eyesight
- damaged heart
- learning disability
What causes maternal infections during pregnancy ?
- exposed to or acquired infections such as rubella
What support is available for individuals with maternal infections during pregnancy?
- vaccinations
What does congenital mean?
- present at brith
What are the most common and severe congenital defects?
- heart defects, neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome.
What other factors can be responsible for congenital defects?
- socio-economic factors: lack of access to sufficient nutritious foods during pregnancy
- environmental factor: working or living in polluted areas, causing harmful exposure to substances
- infectious disease during pregnancy: rubella and syphilis for example.
List physical characteristics which are determined by genetic inheritance
- Colour of eyes
- straight or curly hair
- skin pigmentation
Make a list of physical characteristics which are strongly influenced by genetics from birth parents
- height
-weight - life expectancy
