nature vs nurture Flashcards
What is nurture?
the environment influencing an individual (includes social + environment)
examples of nurture
living conditions, education, upbringing, parenting class, religion
what is nature?
genetic inheritance, which determines biological physical characteristics
examples of nature
hair + eye colour, life expectancy, weight/height
what is the nature debate?
Gesell -> maturation study
what was Gesell’s maturation study?
he observed children through a one way mirror to prove that development was only a result of genetics
What were Gesell’s findings in his maturation study?
Children develop according to a natural, biological schedule.
-identified norms at each age - created milestones
What was Gisells aim during his research?
What could children do at each age group?
2 strengths of Gisells research?
- sample size was large so it generalised to a wider population
- one side mirror
no demand characteristics and the children were not influenced
what is the nurture debate?
Bandura - social learning theory
What did Bandura believe?
All behaviour is learnt
Development is the result of learned observation
What is the sequence for the social learning theory?
- child notices behaviour of another person eg. phrases
- child internalises behaviour/ action by remembering what they observed
- child reproduces the behaviour not necessarily straight away but when the opportunity occurs
- depending on outcome (positive or negative) reinforcement, children will either repeat or not repeat the behaviour
What was Bandura’s experiment?
the bobo doll experiment (1961)
What happened during the Bobo Doll experiment?
- children aged 3-5
- a child + adult are in the same room with toys and a bobo doll
- adult begins to beat bobo doll for 10mins
- child is then left alone in the room with the toys
- 100% children who observed the behaviour copied the adult
- control group → adult played calmly → same behaviour was copied
What did the Bobo experiment show?
behaviour is learnt
What are the positives of the results of Bandura’s study?
- encourages parents/ teachers to consider how they role model
- supports nurture
What are the problems of Bandura’s study?
- ethical issue → long-lasting damage
- not all behaviour is repeated due to reinforcement
- doesn’t simulate real life → children may not be willing to hurt a person
- doesn’t consider individuals backgrounds, cultural + individual circumstances
What makes us more likely to copy behaviour?
- if we see behaviour being rewarded
- if we like + respect the person whose behaviour we observe
- if we see ourselves as similar to the person we observe + their behaviour
- if behaviour can be copied without too much difficulty
EVALUATION: Bandura’s social learning theory positives - what does it help explain?
- behaviour is shaped by more than just rewards + reinforcement
- positive role models encourage positive behaviour
- why people carry out behaviours even when there is no external reward
EVALUATION: Bandura’s social learning theory negatives - what does it help explain?
- Not all behaviour is copied from someone else, eg, crime
- not all observed behaviour is copied, even young children know the difference between fantasy violence + the real thing
- doesn’t take personality traits into account (innate biological)
What is the name of the model that uses both nature and nurture to explain development?
Stress-diathesis model
What is the stress - diathesis model?
- psychological model that explains stress is caused by life events (nurture)
- impact this has on an individual is linked to the individual’s genetic makeup (nature) + impact on mental wellbeing
what does the stress - diathesis model explain?
some individuals have either a biological or genetic predisposition to mental illness (referred to as a diathesis)
However, a person who has a genetic predisposition to mental illness may never develop the disorder if they never experience a stress trigger in their life
2 weaknesses of Gisells research?
- sample consists of white/british, similar backgrounds
- does not consider learning/ sensory disabilities + cultural differences
