the nature-nurture debate

Question 1

define nature

Answer 1

the view that behaviour is the product of innate biological or genetic factors

Question 2

explain a study that supports the nature debate

Answer 2

Bowlby proposed that children are biologically predetermined to form attachments as this will help them to survive. this suggests that attachment behaviours are a genetic evolutionary trait

Question 3

define nurture

Answer 3

the view that behaviour is the product of environmental influences

Question 4

explain a study which supports the nurture debate

Answer 4

behaviourist approach explains attachment in terms of classical conditioning. therefore the child forms an attachment based on the pleasure experienced as a result of being fed

Question 5

define interactionist approach

Answer 5

the idea that nature and nurture work together to shape human behaviour

Question 6

explain a study which supports the interactionist approach (PKU)

Answer 6

the genetic disorder PKU is caused by the inheritance of two recessive genes. people with PKU are unable to break down the amino acid phenylalanine which builds up in the blood and brain causing mental retardation. however, if a child with PKU is placed on a low protein diet for the first 12 years, they avoid this potentially serious lifelong disorder

Question 7

explain a study that supports the interactionist approach (MAOA)

Answer 7

Hans Brunner et al (1993) studied 28 males from a large Dutch family who were repeatedly involved in impulsive aggressive violent criminal behaviour. it was found that these men had abnormally low levels of MAOA in their brains and the low activity version of the MAOA gene. this research supports the role of MAOA in aggression as when this gene is not functioning correctly, individuals display aggressive behaviour

Question 8

evaluation against nature and for nurture

Answer 8

twin studies have failed to show 100% concordance rates between monozygotic twins which demonstrates that the environment also plays a role in behaviour, even for people who share exactly the same DNA

Question 9

evaluation for interactionist approach

Answer 9

Maguire (2000) concluded that driving a taxi (nurture) actually had an effect on the size of the hippocampi (nature)

Question 10

evaluation against nurture and for nature

Answer 10

Christiansen (1977) looked at 3500 twin pairs in Denmark, concordance rates for MZ was more than double concordance rates for DZ. this suggests that heritability to criminal behaviour. however, the concordance rates are relatively low, suggesting that genes are not enough when it comes to offending