Nature Nurture Debate

The Nature Nurture Debate occupies a central role in explaining how both environmental, experiential nature factors and how inborn nurture factors affect the growth, change and development of a child. The debate shows how the course of human development is influenced by numerous experiences early on in life. Psychologists agree that early experiences identify developmental milestones and describe the processes of growth and change that occur in the three childhood domains of development which are physical and perceptual development, socio-emotional development, and cognitive development. I will discuss two of these domains in detail throughout my assignment. Also during my essay, I will discuss the theorists who have contributed their ideas

His most well-known theory is the ‘Evolutionary Theory’ which began with the assumption that species vary in many characteristics. He believed that most species produce more off spring than the environment can support, which means that they must all compete to survive. He called this ‘Natural Selection’. Darwin used the environment in his studies to reflect on child language acquisition to furthermore understand the mental development of the child as well as language development of mankind. In contrast to Locke who I will be discussing later on, Rousseau believed that all children are born with different ideas and an innate sense of morality that develops naturally as they get older. He believed that this process of development should not be interfered with. He also believed that a child is born innocent and pure. Rousseau concluded that whatever knowledge the child does not posses innately is acquired from interactions with the environment due to the child’s own interests and developmental level. Rousseau’s theory would be referred to as ‘Nativism’ in todays world. He suggested three ideas for education a child: 1) a child should be exposed to new knowledge and ideas after they show ‘cognitive readiness’, 2) The best way for a child to learn is if they obtain new ideas through their own discovery processes. 3) ‘’Both education and child

In comparison to Watson who looked to attempt to build a theory of child development based on learning principles. His model was also based on the conditioning of reflexes but failed to succeed. Skinner focused more on respondent behaviours including reflexes such as sucking in response to contact with the nipple and grasping in response to touching the palm. He also researched older children and adults who showed very few respondent behaviours such as blinking, sneezing and emotional responses such as anger or fear. Skinners theory is based on habits that have been developed in result of exclusive operant learning experiences. He believed that children’s behaviours stem from these experiences and referred to them as voluntary responses. Operant behaviours are controlled by the consequences they produce. Pleasant and positive consequences make the behaviours more likely to show again, these are known as reinforcers. Unpleasant, negative consequences will most likely not reoccur and are referred to as punishers. Skinners theory applies that development relies on external stimuli for example reinforcers and punishers, rather than internal forces such as instincts or biological maturation. Some believe that Skinner placed too much emphasis on operant behaviours caused by external stimuli whilst ignoring cognitive contributors to learning. Locke proposed a theory that all children are born