Nature vs Nurture

Question 1

Explain the Nature viewpoint

Answer 1

• Behaviour is determined by innate biological/genetic factors
• Innate physical and psychological characteristics are passed down (“wired in”)
  
  • (Psychological) They are not always observable at birth but become observable later in life through maturation
• We have a biological clock which switches certain behaviour ‘on’ or ‘off’ in a pre-programmed way after experience e.g. Genotype and Phenotype

Question 2

Topics that take a Nature approach

Answer 2

• Attachment
  
  • Bowlby - children programmed to form attachment to help survival (primary and secondary drive)
• Schizophrenia
  
  • Family, twin and adoption studies show the more related someone is, the more likely they will show the same behaviour.
  • Gottesman 48% MZ twin

Question 3

Explain the Nurture viewpoint

Answer 3

• Behaviour is caused by environmental influences
• Environmentalists assume the mind is a tabula rasa (blank slate) which is filled through experience
• The psychological and behavioural differences seen in young children are caused by learning

Question 4

Topics that take a Nurture viewpoint

Answer 4

• Attachment
  
  • Learning theory - classical conditioning, food (UCS) + mother (NS) -> CS = CR. Child forms attachment based on pleasure experienced by being fed
• Schizophrenia
  
  • Bateson Double Bind Theory - SZ caused by disordered communication in the family, Mixed messages right and wrong, confused, scared to seek clarification. Prevents the development of a coherent construction of reality - manifests itself in SZ symptoms

Question 5

What is the Interactionist Approach?

Answer 5

• The idea that both nature and nurture affect behaviour e.g. diathesis stress model
• Nature (genetics, brain chemicals, abnormalities) + Nurture (upbringing, diet, schooling)
• Case study Genie
  
  • Left brain lack stimulation -> language deficit
  • Growth -> at 13yrs looked like 6yr old
  • Smaller brain size
  • Movement, motor regions - struggled to walk properly
  • She learned large vocabulary but couldn’t form sentences because of the brain damage through neglect

Question 6

Implications of Interactionist approach (maguire)

Answer 6

• ✅ Physical changes to brain (INT) (Slab Head)
  
  • Maguire et al found larger hippocampus in London Taxi Drivers taking The Knowledge test (involved in spatial skills)
  • The rigorous training including learning and recalling all of the London streets and routes as well as experience driving the taxi (nurture), had an effect on the size of the hippocampi (nature)
  • Supports the validity of the interaction of nature and nurture

Question 7

Implications of Nature approach (concordance)

Answer 7

• ✅ Concordance rates (NA) (Goat)
  
  • Gottesman higher concordance rate for genetic similarities (48% MZ twin)
  • Any study that finds higher concordance rate for genetic similarities is a strength of naturist approach

Question 8

Implications of nature and nurture (treatments)

Answer 8

• ✅ Practical applications (NA + NU) (Sutherland’s Nest)
  
  • Nestadt et al (Nature) higher concordance rate OCD in biological similarities (68% vs 31%)
  • Suggests OCD can be inherited, informing counselling and other strategies
  • Shows the debate is not just theoretical but also practical
  • Sutherland DAT (Nurture) has practical application too (take people out of deviant groups, reform of prisons)

Question 9

Consequences of Nature and Nurture (pick)

Answer 9

• ❌ Nature causes nurture (Plum) (NA + NU)
  
  • Plomin = people create their own nurture by seeking environments that fit with their nature
    
    • E.g. naturally aggressive child likely to feel more comfortable with children who also aggressive
  • This is called “niche picking” - so we shouldn’t look at evidence for nature or nurture because create their own nurture through natures

Question 10

Consequences of Nature and Nurture (socially sensitive)

Answer 10

• ❌ Socially sensitive (NA + NU)
  
  • Behaviour is caused by nature - can’t be changed
  • Behaviour caused by nurture - difficult to change (e.g. family environment)
  • Makes is a sensitive topic to explain behaviour with because we don’t have much control over either side

Question 11

Consequences of Nature and Nurture (reductionist)

Answer 11

• ❌ Individual side (NA + NU)
  
  • Each side of the debate on it’s own can be seen as reductionist and deterministic because it doesn’t take into account any other stance other than its own
  • (excl interactionist)