The nature versus nurture theory is one of the most controversial and discussed when it comes to topics like development, genetics and social sciences. The theory is how professionals help explain human nature. Hereditary helps us develop our physical attributes. Nurture explains how our environment does the same thing, so what is the controversy all about? While some social science professionals believe that it is one or the other, I believe that we need nature and nature to fully understand development. In this essay I will demonstrate my research on intelligence and development, gender roles and sexuality and how these concepts relate to the nature vs. nurture theory. As humans we are controlled by our brain. Our brain is where we develop motor skills, speech, IQ and our personalities. As stated in my previous paragraph nature is hereditary. Eye colors, height, hair color, weight all are genetically developed. Nurture is a set of acquired skills or traits. These traits help determine your capabilities. In development nature and nurture go hand in what kind of person you become. For example, genetics determines height, but nurture is the way we acquire or help refine the skills to adapt to whatever height we are be it tall or short. Other than physical traits genetics and the environment help develop reasoning, planning, part of speech, movement, emotions and problem solving. In a study done at Georgia State University, their study of how capuchin monkeys are affected by social condition is a great example of how nature and nurture work best together. A quote from the study write up reads, “Thus, perception and decision making in a quantity judgment task appear to be insulated from any negative effects of a more competitiv... ... middle of paper ... ... He also aimed to show the undifferentiated libidinal motivated infant becomes a mentally complex and socialized adult. Our environment helps mold our gender roles. Through our environment we learn how boys act and how girls act. The Nature vs. Nurture theory is one of the most controversial and talked about theories. Whether or not heredity or social environment are the sole reason why we are the way we are we will never be known. Through the research that I have done and the research I compiled I can say that it seems as though these two forces work together. Whether you are a girl that likes to play football or a guy that wants to dance ballet your genes and social environment have taken a part of who you are and what you want to do. No one single trait makes you who you are. The nature vs. nurture theory proves that these parts work together to create a whole.
...s may never agree on a conclusive degree to which both nature and nurture play roles in human development, but over the years, more improved studies have shown that both are crucial aspects. With all the knowledge we are gaining from these studies, it would be quite limiting to believe that a criminal and his actions are the sole result of heredity. Even in people who do not commit crimes, genes themselves are affected by the prenatal environment. Undoubtedly, the fetus experiences changes in environment, forcing possible changes in heredity and reactionary response. We are likely to never find the answer to how much or how little either, nature or nurture, impacts our lives, but at least we can agree that they both do, in fact, have major roles. Our development is not the culmination of heredity alone, but of a tangled web of experiences and genetics entwined.
The nature versus nurture theory is a way to distinguish whether certain traits or characteristics of individuals are impacted more by biological means or environmental means. What the “nature” part signifies in the the theory is that we are more impacted by heredity and biological effects of our personality and what defines us as a person. What “nurture” signifies is that environmental factors have a more powerful impact on our lives and personality. As we mostly know, most things aren’t black and white, and so it’s hard ro determine which type of factors is more effective. Most people believe that it’s a blend of both nature and nurture that makes us who we are.
The nature vs. nurture debate: the nature side, are those such as biologists, psychologists and others in the natural sciences, argue that behavioral traits can be explained by genetics. Those taking the nurture side are sociologists and others in the social sciences, they argue that human behavior is learned and shaped through social interaction. This argument should be dismissed because you don’t have to look far to see that both genetics and our environment, plays a role in who we are and our behaviors. (Glass). The point is there is a complex relationship between nature and nurture, either one alone is insufficient to explain what makes us human. (Colt). Our heredity gives us a basic potential,...
A common dispute that has left people speechless for years is the debate between nature and nurture. Are humans influenced by their environments or their genetic make-up? This theory has not gone unnoticed while many theorists attempt to sway the opinions of their audience. Nature is comprised of our genetic and biological components that make us who we are while nurture is founded on the principle that humans are influenced by experience. I believe nature and nurture fall on a spectrum. Within the spectrum environmental, cultural, and genetic influences comprise a person’s unique
There are many different facets to the nature versus nurture argument that has been going on for decades. One of these, the influence of nature and nurture on gender roles and behaviors, is argued well by both Deborah Blum and Aaron Devor, both of whom believe that society plays a large role in determining gender. I, however, have a tendency to agree with Blum that biology and society both share responsibility for these behaviors. The real question is not whether gender expression is a result of nature or nurture, but how much of a role each of these plays.
The debate of nurture vs nature is classic debate among the psychological community. Is it one or the other, or, is it both? Nature is defined by the genetic code of the person. It takes into consideration DNA and biological connections. “Theories that base their understanding of human behavior on "nature," focus on characteristics that we are born with, like our genetic make-up, stable personality traits, and physical predispositions.” (Hartney, 2010). Nurture is quite the opposite. People on the side of nurture are of the opinion that it is the atmosphere that determines who a person is and becomes. “Theories that base their understanding of human behavior on "nurture," emphasize those experiences that mold and change us throughout our lives, such as how our parents raised us, what we were taught at school, and our culture.” (Hartney, 2010). Nurture and nature can be studied in various ways on many different types of people. The extreme classification though is when these theories are
The debate whether nature or nurture determines who a person is has been going on for quite some time now. The nature side believes genetics and biology play a huge role in who we are, where the nurture side believes people are basically blank, and are shaped by their environment and the experiences around them. There are some traces in nurture however our genetics and biology factor into who we are, every human is created a different way, and nobody is exactly alike. Genetics factor into how a person is made up and some traits are more dominant than others.
Today, a new approach to dealing with this question is emerging. This new approach finds a middle ground between nature and nurture. The conclusion that nature and nurture are complementary and work hand and hand. to shape a behavior (a purposeful and meaningful activity) is not a compromise. It is a result of a vigorous study of each of the components of the equation of heredity and environment and their affects on determining one’s development.
Nurture is constituted by the influence of millions of complex environmental factors that form a child's character. Advocators of nature do not believe that character is predetermined by genes, but formed over time. Although often separated, nature and nurture work together in human development. The human conscience is neither innate from birth or entirely shaped through experience, instead, genetics and environmental influences combine to form human behavior, character, and personality traits that constantly change and develop throughout life. The debate on nature versus nurture has existed for thousands of years.
The Effects of Nature and Nurture on Shaping of Behavior The nature/nurture investigation has been studied for many years by psychologists and it is a subject that is still in debate today. It brings up the question, how is our behaviour shaped, and the two sides of the answer are nature and nurture. Behaviour in the context of a human being can be described as; the way humans act and think in situations. What is meant by nature and nurture?
The nature versus nurture debate is an old issue within the field of psychology. “The nature-nurture issue is a perennial one that has resurfaced in current psychiatry as a series of debates on the role that genes (DNA) and environments play in the etiology and pathophysiology of mental disorders” (Schaffner) The debate is essentially about what is inherited (nature) and what is experienced by environmental factors (nurture) and how they affect human development. Naturally, the nature versus nurture debate relates to many controversies such as intelligence, gender identities, violent behaviors, and sexual orientation. There are countless studies on whether intelligence is an inherited trait or if it is influenced by environmental factors.
In 1874, Francis Galton said, “Nature is all that a man brings with him into the world; nurture is every influence that affects him after his birth”. The human body contains millions upon millions of cells and each of these cells contains hereditary information and DNA. However, there is no proof that the information carried in these genes predetermines the way in which we behave. I believe it is our life experiences and what we see and are told that shape the way in which we behave. Therefore, it appears to me that nurturing plays a far more governing and dominant role in a human being’s development rather than nature.
I will help you figure out the answer to this question later on in this essay. A few examples of biologically determines characteristics or nature would be hair color, eye color, diseases, and skin color. Things like life span and height also have a big biological component, but they are influenced by environmental factors and lifestyles. Height is an example of a trait that is influenced by nurture and nature interaction. The child might come from a very tall family, and he might even inherit the genes of being tall. However, if he grows up in a bad household and doesn’t get the proper nourishment, the child might never attain the height he might have had if he was nourished properly. I have learned that today, the majority of experts believed that both nurture and nature influence behavior and even development. Each side of nature and nurture have good points and evidence to back it up,
One of the most well-known debates in psychology is nature versus nurture. Nature is pre-determined traits, influenced by biological factors and genetics. Physical characteristics such as height, hair color, and eye color is all determined by the genetics we inherit. Nurture is the influence of environmental factors. Nature and nurture affects the physical, emotional, and social development of a child.
One of the hottest debates is and has been nature vs nurture for years, but what is the difference between the two? Nature is what people think of as already having and not being able to change it, in other words, pre-wiring (Sincero). Nurture is the influence of experiences and its environment of external factors (Sincero). Both nature and nurture play important roles in human development. Scientists and researchers are both trying to figure out which is the main cause in development because it is still unknown on which it is. The best position to side with is nature. Nature is also defined as genetic or hormone based behaviors (Agin). Regardless of the involvement in everyday life, or nurture, this argumentation centers around the effect genes have on human personalities. Although it is understandable on reasons to side with nurture, nature is the better stand in this controversy. Reasons to side with nature is because of genes and what genes hold. Genes is what