Nature vs Nurture Flashcards
Outline the nature-nurture debate.
Suggests that people are either the product of their genes and biology (nature) or that they are the product of their environment (nurture).
It is highly deterministic, as it suggests that there is always a cause for our behaviour, whether that be nature or nurture; not both.
Instead, a diathesis-stress model could be used, demonstrating how both should be considered, (less deterministic).
Outline nature.
Nature does not simply refer to abilities present at birth, but to any ability determined by genes.
Outline nurture.
Nurture is everything learned through interactions with the environment, both physical and social.
State an example of psychological research with nurture.
Maternal sensitivity hypothesis: how far mother looks after child, is how developed it will be.
State an example of psychological research with nature.
Lorenz’s goslings: organisms form innate attachments, part of their biological make-up.
What is nativism? Who introduced the term?
Nativism is the term used to describe a standpoint that agreed with the nature side of the debate.
It was introduced by Rene Descartes (1596-1650), who suggested that the human soul, when born, is already equipped with an understanding of certain key concepts e.g. time. There was no theory of genetics then, so his ideas were unsubstantiated. However he did form the basis of nativist point of view that we are born with pre-dispositions and pre-programmed behaviour.
Give 3 examples of pre-programmed nativist behaviour.
Breathing.
Hunger.
Sleeping.
Hearing.
Seeing.
Pain.
What is empiricism? Who introduced the term?
The opposing extreme viewpoint to nativism which says that we are born without innate mechanisms and that all we become is due to our experiences.
John Locke argued that we are born as a ‘tabula rasa’. He proposed that it is our experience that leads to the formation of self.
Where does the cognitive approach sit within the nature-nurture debate? Why?
Middle.
Biologically innate mental structures such as schemas, perception and memory - constantly changed by the environment
Where does the biological approach sit within the nature-nurture debate? Why?
Far nature.
Focuses on genetic, hormonal, and neuro-chemical explanations of behaviour.
Where does humanism sit within the nature-nurture debate? Why?
Weak nurture.
Maslow emphasised basic physical needs.
Society influences shape a person’s self-concept.
Where does neo-behaviourism sit within the nature-nurture debate? Why?
Strong neo-behaviourism.
Social learning theory suggests behaviour is learned from observing the reinforcement the model receives.
There were also gender differences within Bandura’s Bobo Doll Study, suggesting minor elements of genetics may be influencing.
Where does behaviourism sit within the nature-nurture debate? Why?
Far nurture.
All behaviour is learned from the environment through conditioning.
Where does the psychodynamic approach sit within the nature-nurture debate? Why?
Weak nature.
Innate drives of sex and aggression (nature).
However, also considers social upbringing elements, such as those in childhood (nurture).
What is heredity?
The genetic transmission of mental and physical characteristics from one generation to another.
