Nature VS Nurture

Question 1

what does the nature vs nurture debate centre around?

Answer 1

the role of heredity (inherited factors) and the environment in influencing behaviour.

Question 2

Define nature -

Answer 2

The nature side of the debate argues that our genes, hormones and neurotransmitters determine all our behaviour.

Question 3

Nature AO2 -

Answer 3

flight/fight
Evolutionary explanations of behaviour also emphasise the importance of nature. They are based on the principle that a behaviour (or characteristic) that promotes survival and reproduction will be naturally selected

Question 4

define nurture -

Answer 4

The nurture side of the debate argues that behaviour is the product of environmental influences.

Question 5

Nurture AO2 -

Answer 5

Bandure bobo doll - aggression

Question 6

evaluate the nature VS nurture debate -

Answer 6

K It is doubtful that behaviour is fully determined by nature, or fully determined by nurture.
Ø For example, twin studies typically demonstrate a 80% concordance rate for intelligence, and a 40% concordance rate for depression, in MZ twin pairs.
Ø This suggests that 20% of intelligence and 60% of depression must be shaped by environmental factors (i.e. nurture).
This demonstrates that neither nature nor nurture alone can fully explain behaviour. This is why most psychologists turn to the interactionist approach to explain behaviour.

Question 7

What is the interactionist approach?

Answer 7

It is the view that both nature and nurture have an influence on human behaviour; Nature can affect nurture and vice versa.

Question 8

What are the 3 ways nature and nurture can interact with eachother?

Answer 8

active gene, passive gene, reactive gene

Question 9

active gene -

Answer 9

a child’s heritable traits influence his/her choice of environment.

Question 10

passive gene -

Answer 10

parents pass on gene and also provide an environment; which influence development.

Question 11

reactive gene -

Answer 11

genetic traits influence the reaction of others and hence the environment provided by others

Question 12

Evaluate the interactionist approach -

Answer 12

J There is also evidence for nurture influencing nature.
Ø For example, Maguire et al. (2000) found that the hippocampus of London taxi drivers was bigger than those from a control group.
Ø The hippocampus is associated with spatial memory.
Ø The study shows that the taxi drivers were not born with a larger hippocampus, but it had responded to increased use.
Ø This suggests that experience (nurture) can also have an impact on brain physiology.

J It is important to emphasise that nature AND nurture shape behaviour, as the interactionist approach has:
Ø A nature approach to psychology has led to successful biological treatments. E.g. using anti-depressants to treat depression.
Ø A nurture approach to psychology has led to successful behaviourist treatments. E.g. systematic desensitisation