Nurture VS Nature^

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

inherited influence
supported by nativists
Descartes
- everything is innate, people are born with it

Question 2

Nurture

Answer 2

environmental influences
supported by behaviourists
mind is a blank state
everything is learned consequently after

Question 3

Lemer

Answer 3

nurture
identified levels of envi
- prenatal: affect foetus (smoking, mental health)
- postnatal: once a child is born

Question 4

Locke

Answer 4

nurture
mind is a blank slate (beh approach)
marked by life’s experiences and envi factors

Question 5

Heritability Coefficient

Answer 5

measure N&N
Process
- used to assess heredity
- numeral value of 0-1
- indicated the extend to which a characteristics has a genetic basis
Score: close to 1 = nature | close to 0 = nurture

Question 6

Plomin

Answer 6

heritability for IQ is about 0.5
across multiple studies in diff population
50-50 split between genetic and envi contributions to intelligence

Question 7

The Interactionist Approach

Answer 7

relative contributions N&N have on specific beh
- characteristics are present due to a combo
- eye colour: 80% inherited | 20% from envi
due to this interaction psychologists want to know what the RC of N&N to beh over asking which beh are only due to N or N

Question 8

Diathesis Stress Model

Answer 8

beh is caused by a bio or envi vulnerability (D)
only expressed when coupled with a bio or envi trigger (S)
inherits a genetic vulnerability to OCD but get it with a psychological trigger

Question 9

Epigenetics

Answer 9

change in genetic activity without a change in genetic code
events leave mark on DNA which can switch genes on/off
- PTSD from war = lasting MH changes
changes to genetic activity can be passed down
E = 3rd element in N&N debate = life experience of prev generations

Question 10

Adoption Study

Answer 10

can use them as they separate N from N
- depends on child’s similarity to adopted or bio parents
Rhee & Waldman
- meta-analysis of AS
- genes accounted for 41% variation in aggression

Question 11

VS Adoption Study

Answer 11

Plomin
not easy to separate N&N
people can create own nurture by choosing envi that suits their nature (niche-picking)

Question 12

Real World Application

Answer 12

Nestadt et al
heritability rate for OCD is 0.76
knowing this can inform those who have bigger genetic risk to OCD
to see advice on ways to prevent and manage

Question 13

Research Support for Epigenetics

Answer 13

Dutch Hunter Winter
- Nazi prevented food from going to Dutch people and 1000s died
Susser & Lin
- pregnant women gave birth to babies with low birth weights and double the risk of getting schizophrenia
Evens can change genetic activity which can be inherited

Question 14

Implications

Answer 14

nativists: anatomy is destiny
- extreme determinism = controversial application of eugenic policies
empricists: beh can be changed by altering envi = practical application in therapy
- but it can also lead to advocate a model of society that controls citizens with the techniques
Both when taken to extreme can have neg consequence for society
- interactionist position is preferred