Nature vs Nurture, Individual vs Situational

Question 1

Holzel (nature vs nurture)

Answer 1

Nature:
* results can be supported by biological factors such as structural plasticity, or in other words, changes in grey matter concentration in key brain regions such as the left hippocampus

Nurture:
* participants went through an MBSR training program in which they learnt to deal with stress in their lives, which in turn allowed them to improve their wellbeing

Question 2

Holzel (individual vs situational)

Answer 2

Individual:
* participants were able to choose their own exercises within the training, and this would impact individuals differently, depending on the duration spent on particular exercises, as well as the regularity of its practice

Situational:
* it was the situation of participants receiving MBSR training that lead to an increase in grey matter concentration, which in turn, improved their wellbeing,
* whereas those in the control group, who had no such training, did not see any increase in grey matter concentration during the same period

Question 3

Dement and Kleitman (nature vs nurture)

Answer 3

Nature:
* By measuring brain activity through the use of an EEG, and observing eye movement patters, we were able to determine which stage of sleep the individual is in, and also determine the link between eye movement patterns and dream content

Nurture:
* dreams people experience can differ due to nurture influences as our dreams can be based on our experiences in the real world