nature vs nuture Flashcards
what are the defining principles and concepts of the nature v nurture debate?
nature is seen to be the product of innate factors, doesn’t just refer to behaviours presented at birth but behaviours determined by genes, including those that appear throughout the lifespan through maturation
nurture argues that behaviour is learned or acquired through experiences in our environment
what are the studies associated with the nature side of the debate?
casey : delaying activity is due to high activity in the inferior frontal gyrus
gould : yerkes suggested that intelligence is inherited and related to race
what are the studies associated with the nurture side of the debate?
bandura : exposure to aggressive role models leads to imitation of aggressive behaviours
chaney : incentive toys on the funhaler positively reinforce correct usage of the asthma spacer
what is a strength of the nature debate?
the debate can help identify behaviours that are inherited so we can look at the role of inheritance and provide preventions for behaviours at an early age
what is a weakness of the nature debate?
it is deterministic to assume our behaviour is determined solely by our biology
this makes it harder to change behaviour or develop interventions as if behaviours are innate it may not be possible to change them
what is a strength of the nurture debate?
if the behaviours are solely due to nurture they are useful as we can find the cause of the behaviour and treat it with relevant application
this is further supported with scientific explanation
what is a weakness of the nurture debate?
if we assume all behaviours are due solely to nurture it is reductionist as we may be ignoring the importance of biological factors in human behaviour
