Nature vs Nurture Flashcards
What is the nature-nurture debate?
It is concerned with the extent to which aspects of behaviour are a product of inherited or learned
(acquired) characteristics.
What is Heredity?
It is the genetic transmission of mental and physical
characteristics from one generation to another.
What is the Environment?
It is any influence on human behaviour that is
non-genetic. Varies from pre-natal influences in the womb to
cultural and historical influences at a societal level.
What is the interactionist approach?
It is the idea that nature and nurture are
linked to such an extent that it does not make sense to separate the
two.
Explain what is meant by the term nature in psychology and give an
example from a topic you have studied. (4 marks)
The nature stance of the nature-nurture debate
argues that human characteristics are a result of heredity.
This means that humans are born with pre-dispositions and pre programmed behaviours, this could be explained as genetic vulnerabilities to mental health disorders.
An example from a topic would be the biological
approach, this supports that nature side of the
nature-nurture debate as it suggests that all human behaviour is influenced by our genetic make-up, brain structure and evolution.
This means that mental health disorders such as
depression can be explained through an imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Explain what is meant by the term nurture in psychology and give an
example from a topic you have studied. (4 marks)
The nurture stance of the nature-nurture debate argues that human characteristics are learned without the influence of genetics.
This means that humans are suggested to be born
as a ‘blank slate,’ proposing that it is our
experiences that lead to the formation of the self.
An example from a topic would be the behaviourist approach, this supports the nurture side of the
nature-nurture debate as it suggests that all human behaviour is learned through stimulus-response.
This means that phobias (a form of anxiety) can be explained through learned experiences. They are learned through classical conditioning and maintained through operant conditioning.
What is Pre natal?
It is the mother’s physical and psychological state during
pregnancy.
What is Post natal?
It is the social conditions the child grows up in and cultural
and historic context that they are part of.
What is an example of the interactionist approach?
Intelligence is an
appropriate example
here because we have a
genetic predisposition
to attain a certain level of intelligence.
We either reach our
potential (in an ideal
environment) or we
underperform due to
environmental factors
such as diet, poor
education, brain injury.
What is the Diathesis-Stress Model?
This model suggests that
psychopathology is caused by biological/genetic
vulnerability (the diathesis) which is only expressed when coupled with an environmental
or biological trigger (the
stressor).
What is an example of the diathesis-stress model
Tienari et al (2004) found that in a group of Finnish adoptees, those most likely to develop schizophrenia has biological relatives with a history of the disorder (vulnerability) and had
relationships with their adoptive families that were defined as
‘dysfunctional’ (the trigger)’
What are epigenetics?
Epigenetics is a change in genetic activity without changing our
genetic code.
This is caused by an interaction with the environment. For example,
when we smoke or we are exposed to pollution, epigenetic marks
are left on our DNA.
These tell our bodies which genes to ignore and which to use and
these can then be passed on to our children as well as their
children. They are like bookmarks of the life experience of
previous generations therefore affects us.
What are the negatives for choosing one side of the nature nurture debate?
Evaluation
P: There are implications for a strong commitment to one side of the
debate or the other.
E: For example, nativists (nature) believe that human behaviours can
be explained solely by genes. This belief has led to controversial
research in to how race and IQ are linked. Conversely, empiricists
(nurture) would suggest that any behaviour can be changed by
shaping the environment. In extreme terms, this could lead to a
society which controls and manipulates its citizens.
I&D: A strong commitment to either the nature or nurture position
corresponds to a belief in hard determinism. This equates to
biological determinism and environmental determinism
respectively.
L: Either one
What is a point about research into epigenetics?
P: There is evidence to support from research into epigenetics.
E: Scarr & McCartney (1983) put forward a theory of
gene-environment interaction. Passive interaction (parent’s genes
influence the way they treat their children – musically gifted parents
are likely to play to their children). Evocative interaction (child’s genes
influence and shape the environment in which they grow up –
musically talent child will be picked for school concerts) & Active
interaction (child creates its own environment through the people and
experiences it selects – child chooses musically talented friends).
L: This points to a complex and multi-layered relationship between
nature and nurture.
