The nature versus nurture debate is concerned with the extent to which aspects of behaviour and development are a product of either inherited or acquired characteristics and on how each influences that behaviour and development. Research currently suggests that in to understand human development it is important to look at how nature and nurture interconnect and not to stress the differences between the two (Lerner, 2002). Child development theories have focused on discussing how children develop and grow over their early years. The theories discuss aspects of development that include physical social, emotional, cognitive and sensory growth. Piaget (1896) asserts that human behaviour cannot be understood by only taking into account just the …show more content…
A child that doesn’t progress through a stage could remain at that point in development, Freud suggests this can have a negative impact in later years. Most child development theories propose that behaviour continues to change and develop over a lifetime and Freud believed that it was the early childhood experiences that have the greatest impact in shaping development. Although Erikson’s (1902) theory of psychosocial development has similarities with Freud's, it is particularly different in many ways. Instead of using sexual interest as the driver of development, Erikson believed that children’s social interaction and experience was most significate. His eight-stage development theory details the concept of a developmental crisis and that managing the challenges of each stage leads is key to long term …show more content…
Attachments support the child by providing care and protection. Children will try and stay close and connected to their parents or carers; who provide safety and comfort from which to reach out and explore. In contrast young children can suffer from separation anxiety if consistently taken from those with whom they created bonds. Children will happily engage in activities and explore if their attachment figure is close-by, and very quickly become anxious and stop playing/exploring when the person moves away. Other major life events can affect development of children as they grow; a bereavement, parent separation, even moving home or school will likely impact on their emotional
and behavior of the child. In fact, the more we understand about development and behavior, the better. the more obvious it becomes that nature and nurture are similarly influences. rather than determinants, not only singly but also in combination. Here below, I will endeavour to expose the leading theories dealing with the question of nature.
Similar to Sigmund Freud, Erikson agreed that internal, biological developments advanced an individual from one developmental stage to the next. However, unlike Freud, Erikson stressed the psychosocial, rather than the psychosexual, conflicts faced by the individual at each stage. I gravitated to Erikson’s theory because it describes the impact of social experience across the whole lifespan, making it seemingly more comprehensive than Freud’s, and others. Erikson believed that development is predetermined and personality unfolds in eight stages.
Nature is the word used to describe the biological aspects that shape behaviour, for example genes. Nurture is the word used to describe the social aspects that shape behaviour, for example interaction with parents. This essay will cover both sides of the argument referring to psychological theory. To start with the psychodynamic theory, this is defined, according to Dictionary.com as “The interaction of various conscious and unconscious mental or emotional processes, especially as they influence personality, behaviour, and attitudes”. This is a theory used on the side ...
Erik Erikson was a psychoanalyst whose work was greatly influenced by Sigmund Freud. Unlike, Freud who based development on sexual energy, Erikson believed that we development through social interaction and relationships. Erikson’s psychosocial stages of development consists eight
This includes, the support and attention from parents or caregivers, nutritional diet and protection. Nurture overrides nature when it comes to having a normal development. Without the correct nurturing, a child may not be encouraged or stimulated to reach milestones due to neglect or isolation. The behaviourist theory by B.F Skinner is an example of how important a good nurturing environment is for a normal development. The Behaviourist theory claims that we acquire language from the environment we are in.
Undoubtedly, humans are unique and intricate creatures and their development is a complex process. It is this process that leads people to question, is a child’s development influenced by genetics or their environment? This long debate has been at the forefront of psychology for countless decades now and is better known as “Nature versus Nurture”. The continuous controversy over whether or not children develop their psychological attributes based on genetics (nature) or the way in which they have been raised (nurture) has occupied the minds of psychologists for years. Through thorough reading of experiments, studies, and discussions however, it is easy to be convinced that nurture does play a far more important in the development of a human than nature.
Genetic, mental and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence are discussed in the development of a child. Genes are said to have a greater influence on a child’s development which creates the debate nature vs nurture. We all naturally inherit genes which influence who we are (how we look and our character). It is natural for us to perceive that those who are born will automatically learn to walk, understand the language, copy others and be able to use simple tools (i.e. spoons, forks, pencils crayons) and be able to interpret how others perceive the world around them.
An enduring issue in developmental psychology has been the question of which exercises a greater influence on development, our inborn tendencies (nature) or our surrounding world (nurture)? In infants and toddler development, nature is a natural quality that is impacted to development. Most of the natural qualities in nature are in every human being. For instance, practically all children have the ability to learn to talk and walk as well as following what other people do, especially adults. Each and every child has a natural human quality that will assist them to develop when they are in a learning environment (Dacey, 2008).
3. Suchitra Ramkumar (2002). Erik Erikson’s theory of development : Teacher’s observations article. Journal of the krishnamurti schools. Issue 6.
In the study of child development, nature and nurture are two essential concepts that immensely influence future abilities and characteristics of developing children. Nature refers to the genetically obtained characteristics and abilities that influence development while nurture refers to the surrounding environmental conditions that influence development. Without one or the other, a child may not develop some important skills, such as communication and walking. The roles of physiological and psychological needs in a person’s life are also crucial for developing children. Humanistic psychologist, Abraham Maslow, suggested that humans don’t only aim towards survival, but also aim towards self-actualization (Rathus, P. 94).