Nature vs nurture

Question 1

The nature vs nurture debate

Answer 1

The argument around what has made you into the person you are. Is it within your nature (genes) or your nurture (socialisation). Most sociologists argue that nurture is more important. Some aspects of culture are clearly leanred as we are not born knowing norms and values. Norms and values differ between culture and time.

Question 2

Nature

Answer 2

Argue that genes are a major influence on our intelligence and behaviour, and therefore out culture.

Question 3

Nurture

Answer 3

Argue that out intelligence, behaviour and culture are learned through a complex process known as socialisation.

Question 4

Evidence to support nurture debate

Answer 4

1. Feral children such as genie wiley 1970s, and oxana mayla from Ukraine who was raised by dogs. 2. Twin and adoption studies such as the Minnesota twin study 1979-1999. 3. Cultural and social influences: the Margret meads study of samoa 1928. 4. Gender socialisation such as baby x studies (condry and condry 1976)- showed that adults treated babiies differently based on assumed gender, indicating that gender roles are socially constructed. 5. Social learning theory by bandura and the bobo doll experiment.

Question 5

Evidence to support the nature debate

Answer 5

1. Twin studies: bouchard et al 1990 found that identical twins, eben when raised separately, had strikingly similar IQ scores, interests, and temperaments, suggesting a strong genetic component.
2. Genetic influences on behaviour: warrior gene (MAOA- variant) aggression
3. Neurological and Brain studies such as Phineas gage
4. Hormonal and biological differences: testosterone and aggression are linked and so are social bonding and oxytocin.