Human Development: Nature vs. Nurture
opinion Essay
1830 words
Abstract
Nature vs. nurture has been discussed by philosophers in the past and by scientists more recently. Philosophers such as Plato argued that all knowledge was inherited from your parents and when you were told something you didn’t learn it you were just reminded of it. Aristotle however argued that all humans were born with a blank slate and built on it with influence from there environment. In the 1700’s the empiricists and the internalists took over the argument. They fought through letters explaining there point of views and denouncing the others. This leads to Pavlov coming up with the idea of behaviorism in the early 1900‘s. Behaviorism became the new wave of Psychology and influenced a lean towards the nurture side. It was not effectively argued against until 1928 when Watson published his book. This opened up the floodgates for environmental influences studies. Soon the idea of nurture was the popular excuse for behavior. Studies using animals were the most popular was in which scientists used to prove a theory, or disprove a theory. The newest studies use human twins to prove nature vs. nurture.
An age-old question has been asked for generations before us. What is the reasons behind the development of human behavior? There have been many theories formulated to explain why humans behave the way they do. Explanations vary from demonology to magnetic fluids controlling people’s behaviors. Over time, two theories have remained
popular in academic fields such as philosophy and psychology. The surviving theories for behavior stem from physiological and sociological explanations. However, the two explanations have not always been compatible with each other. The famous nature vs. nurture debate over human behavior resulted from conflicting views between proponents of the physiological (nature) and sociological (nurture) explanations. Throughout history, research has swayed popularity back and forth between the theories. Yet, theorists have broken down the line separating nature and nurture. Today, people us both explanations in research to advance the knowledge of human behavior.
Thousands of years before the field of psychology, philosophers pondered on
human behavior. As early as 350 BC, such philosophers as Plato and Aristotle
tried to understand behavior. The question of nature or nurture as the primary
drive can be traced to these...
... middle of paper ...
...y the effects of
each in development. In these future studies, more groundbreaking advances will
be made to aid humans in better understanding human behavior. In the end, that
is what both sides of the nature vs. nurture debate intended to accomplish.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how he thought it had a unique role in human processes.
- Opines that ideas which come into the mind from outside can't be formed.
- Opines that they’ll take any one and train him to become a professional.
- Opines that the objection to inner states is not that they do not exist, but that it does exist.
- Analyzes how the interaction between nature and nurture can be summed up by the statements of drs. fausto-sterling and evan balaban.
- Explains linda b. deutschmann's deviance and social control third edition. scarborough, on: nelson thomson learning.
- Explains that nature vs. nurture has been discussed by philosophers and scientists in the past.
- Explains that physiology and new studies involving genetics, such as adoption studies, and studies on twins popularized genetic influence over environmental.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- opinion
- comparative
- argumentative
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In this essay, the author
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- Analyzes how nesterak believes that one's behavior is a product of both inherited and acquired characteristics.
- Explains that nature and nurture play an important role in development and personality traits, but there are many supporting factors in the context of the debate.
- Argues that the nurture side of discussion suggests that hereditary factors play no role in human development.
- Explains that the nature versus nurture controversy debate has arguments in favor of both sides. both nature and nurture interact with each other to shape the features and development of each person.
- Cites cherry, k., & genius, s. (2012). nature vs. nurture.
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In this essay, the author
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In this essay, the author
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- Explains gender is the psychological state of being male or female, as influenced by cultural concepts of gender appropriate behavior.
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- Opines that when a child's interests and abilities are different from what society expects, he or she is often subjected to discrimination and bullying.
- Argues that biological perspectives on gender typing focus on the roles of hormones, genetics and brain structures in predisposing men and women to gender-linked behavior patterns. the evolutionary perspective is steeped in controversy.
- Explains that kohlberg's gender typing entails the emergence of gender constancy. gender schema theory proposes that children blend their developing self-concepts with the prominent gender schema of their culture.
- Explains that sexual orientation refers to one's erotic attractions towards and interests in developing romantic relationships with members of one’s own gender or the other gender.
- Explains that homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to encounter anxiety and depression and to have suicidal thoughts, probably because of social prejudice. bisexuality in which bisexual people are sexually attracted to both male and female.
- Explains that coming out is a gradual process in which the individual eventually comes to accept his or her homosexual orientation. homophobia is negative attitudes and feelings toward gay people, including intolerance, hatred and fear.
- Explains the american academy of pediatric's advice for someone coming out: learn from other, by talking to other gay friends about their experiences.
- Opines that a parent should be supportive of their child regardless of gender identity. gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender children need the same level of care, respect, information, and support as non-glbt children.
1471 wordsRead More - Bronfenbenner Ecological Systems Model Essaycomparative essayThe nature-nurture debate has always been a big controversy in the science world. Scientists, for many years try to figure out which of the two shaped
In this essay, the author
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- Explains bronfenbrenner's ecological systems model and how each level help in forming human development.
- Explains that the exosystem refers to settings and decisions that are not technically made by the person but still affect them in a way.
- Explains how culture shaped a person's viewpoints on life and how they behaved.
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1393 wordsRead More - Personal Narrative: Nature Vs. Nurtureexplanatory essayAlthough there are many debatable topics psychologists tend to discuss, the Nature versus Nurture deliberation is, among society, one of the most widely known of them all. Many people have their own view on the subject however, I personally believe nature versus nurture is the question of whether human thought and behavior is influenced by environmental factors or genetic factors.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that nature versus nurture is the question of whether human thought and behavior is influenced by environmental factors or genetic factors.
- Explains that they were born into a hispanic household in puerto rico on july 15th, 1998. their father's parents were both born and raised in cuba until they fled to america.
- Opines that their style is solely based on their liking and not those of others.
- Explains that their life was shaped by the way their parents raised them. they were raised in a christian home and placed their faith in christ at seven.
- Explains that their behavior varies based on the situation they are placed into. they attributed the overall person they were due to the "nurture" portion of nature versus nurture.
1127 wordsRead More - Psychology in the Real Worldargumentative essayNature VS nurture is a part of developmental psychology. It is the issue of the degree to which environment and heredity influence behavior (Feldman, 2013). They call this the age old question of psychology. With all of the research that has been done, people now believe that it is not one of these factors that that determine a person’s development, but both.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nature vs nurture is a part of developmental psychology. environment and heredity influence behavior.
- Analyzes smithstein's article on the development of children, stating that some of the reasons children turn out the way they do have nothing to do with parenting or nurture.
- Explains that the journal article, twin studies: what can they tell us about nature and nurture, outlines and talks about the different studies that have been done on twins.
- Explains that many human traits and behaviors result from both genetic and environmental factors. if we are born with certain genes and our environment determines whether that genes potential is realized, it puts an emphasis on nurture.
- Asks if people should be held accountable for their actions. if we are hard wired a certain way, and our environment accounts for the other half, how are we in control of what we do and do not do?
- Explains lisa aspinwall's experiment, which shows that judges may give lighter sentences if they are convinced the person’s genes made him do it.
- Concludes that genes provide potential for our behavior, but without environmental factors, these predispositions will never be realized.
- Explains that what is nature versus nurture?, and cites collins, maccoby, steinberg, hetherington and bornstein.
- Cites guo, g., ridley, m. and smithstein, psy.d.
537 wordsRead More - Essay On Attachment And Attachmentexplanatory essayThe Nature vs. Nurture debate is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behaviour are either inherited or acquired characteristics. Is it also to do with what makes humans different from each other, whether being genes or the environment and which contributes more to a humans psychological and physical development.
In this essay, the author
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- Explains that reciprocity is a form of interaction between infant and caregiver involving mutual responsiveness with both parties able to respond to one another.
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- Explains that tronick (1975) undertook an experiment called the'still face experiment', wherein an infant and mother are playing and interacting for three minutes, and the infant tries several times to get the mothers attention but then withdraws and turns away from his mother.
- Explains the behavioural approach in psychology based on the concept of explaining behaviour through classical or operant conditioning. classical conditioning involves learning through association.
- Explains that pavlov's study was a laboratory experiment so there is high control of variables and the results are reliable. however, the study conducted with dogs may not always apply to humans.
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- Explains that attachment is a learned behaviour that is acquired through classical and operant conditioning.
- Explains the strengths of the behavioural theory, which applies classical and operant conditioning to its theories, uses a scientific approach and methods of research because the experiments are measurable and observable.
- Analyzes harlow's study on infant monkeys to see how they developed when separated from their mothers. he put them in cages with two dolls, one made out of wire with a bottle of milk and the other made of soft cloth for comfort.
- Explains schaffer and emmerson conducted a longitudinal study to find the age of which attachment starts and how intense these were. they studied 60 babies from the working class area of glasgow.
- Explains that lorenz (1935) found geese imprinted during a critical period and formed attachments with whatever they first saw. attachment in infants is similar to this process.
- Explains john bowlby's evolutionary theory of attachment. he argued that infants have a biological need for attachment with their care giver, who often, is the mother.
- Explains that attachment starts as the relationship between caregiver and infant develops a model about relationships, called internal working model, which leads to continuity hypothesis.
- Explains john bowlby's belief that the relationship between the infant and its mother during the first five years of life was crucial to socialisation.
- Explains that bifulco et al conducted a study on this theory and found similar results so it is high in reliability. the study was researcher bias as he conducted the assessments himself.
- Explains that rutter et al (2007) followed romanian orphans who had been adopted by british families. the children were fed, clothed, and kept warm, but the vast majority had never experienced sensitive care on an emotional level.
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1832 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Living With Our Geneanalytical essayThe nature/nurture argument originates from the fact that people are more reluctant to accept a genetic influence on behavior than they are on more simple traits such as eye color or an inherited illness. Hamer and Copeland put it as follows, "We accept that ...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that genes are the most outstanding factor in the process of developing the complex variability of human nature. hamer and copeland identify the differences between temperament and character.
- Explains that temperament is the collection of primal behavioral tendencies we acquire, which are adapted to varied degrees by our character, beliefs, and the values our surroundings bestow on us.
- Argues that people are more reluctant to accept a genetic influence on behavior than they are on more simple traits such as eye color or an inherited illness.
- Explains that living with our genes helps readers understand the way that genes impact day to day activities and functions. each chapter is organized by different traits which allows readers to find characteristics that relate to them, or people they know.
- Describes how living with our genes explores the nexus between genes and human behavior by a world-renowned molecular geneticist.
- Analyzes how the bell curve and born to rebel inspired dean hamer's tests, which prove that we are hardwired to act the way we do, whether it be thrill-seeking, homosexuality or just how we appear to others.
- Explains that hamer, chief of gene structure and regulation at the national cancer institute, is adjusted to public interest in his field of study. his 1993 report on a so-called gay gene caused an uproar of controversy.
- Analyzes how hamer and copeland divide the information into interesting topics, like thrills, anger, addiction, hunger, and even sex. they follow a simple structure for each chapter.
535 wordsRead More - In today’s society, one is constantly surrounded by individuals with different behaviors. Some will sacrifice his or her life for a complete stranger. However, there is some individuals who would take advantage of the weak and poor for his or her own personal gain. Now the question arises, what makes human beings behave the way they do? Being the topic of conflict of psychology for years, one usually turns to the nature verses nurture theory for the answer to that question. Some believes that a person is born with a certain personality, others believe it is an individual’s atmosphere that determines his or her attitude, and some even trusts the idea that it is a combination of genes and environment that dictates the conduct of an individual.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the nature verses nurture theory as the answer to the question of what makes human beings behave the way they do.
- Explains that nature plays a role in the personality of an individual. recent discoveries have shown that some individuals have the genes to act in certain ways.
- Argues that nurture is the leading factor in the development of personality.
- Analyzes how a person's genetics and environment can work together to create the conduct of an individual.
714 wordsRead More - War Against Boysanalytical essayOne of the oldest debates in psychology is the nature versus nurture debate. Its roots extend far beyond the nineteenth century psychologists such as Freud and Skinner into the beginnings of scientific thought. Even Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato addressed the issue of how personality is formed. Today, a relative consensus has been reached that nature and nurture work in tangent with one another; one can have many biological possibilities of which the environment determines the development. In any area involving gender however, this debate is still strong.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest debates in psychology. its roots extend beyond the nineteenth century psychologists such as freud and skinner into the beginnings of scientific thought.
- Analyzes how christina hoff sommers points out that some feminists support the nurture side of the debate without acknowledging any possibility of a biological influence.
- Analyzes how sommers summarizes the evidence for the biological influence of males and females in a clear, concise manner.
- Analyzes how sommers addresses the cognitive abilities with which a large difference has been shown to favor males or females.
- Argues that sommers needs to provide more biological support for girls with congenital adrenal perplasia.
- Analyzes how sommers fails to use the full amount of research available to her on how hormonal levels affect cognitive sex differences as hampson and moffat do.
- Analyzes how sommers focuses on structural differences in the male and female brains rather than hormonal differences.
- Opines that sommers is right when she argues that gender is not completely a social construct. the research she provides does sufficient justice to the biological explanation of sex differences.
- Analyzes how sommers attacks the feminists' socialization model without fully addressing the research in that field.
- Analyzes how sommers focuses on seminars intended to inform teachers of ways to avoid sexual discrimination and gender socialization, and on programs created by feminist organizations.
- Explains that socialization plays a significant role in children's development of gender identity. block found that parents treat boys and girls differently, while siegel found fathers respond differently to their sons.
- Explains that although children learn both the female and male response to a task, they only express the gender appropriate one.
- Analyzes how the gender appropriateness of a task affects the child's performance in the task.
- Opines that evidence like this makes one wonder where or when the child learns to differentiate gender and qualifies earlier research on gender-differentiated treatment in childhood.
- Opines that not enough psychological research exists to claim socialization is the only way children learn gender stereotypes as the feminists do.
- Analyzes how sommers doesn't fully research the opposing argument. mead's study on three primitive cultures in new guinea found a complete role reversal of the sexes.
- Argues that psychology has come a long way from asserting that only one developmental theory is the key. the feminists sommers cites in this book are clearly wrong in their view that children are as malleable as clay.
- Analyzes how sommers relies almost totally on the biological influence forgetting that some behavior is influenced and formed by the environment.
- Opines that feminists are trying to counteract the stereotypes that have been in place for centuries.
- Explains that sex differences in the corpus callosum of the living human being are found in journal of neuroscience.
- Explains that early androgens are related to childhood sex-typed toy preferences.
- Explains that sex differences in the human corpus callosum: myth or reality?
- Explains that sex differentiation in the socialization behaviors of mothers and daughters is discussed in j. sherman and f. denmark.
- Describes davies, d. r., children’s performance and sex-typed labels. british journal of social psychology, 25,173-5.
- Opines that television and sex role acquisition 1: content. british journal of social psychology, 24: 211-22.
- Explains hampson, e., and moffat, s. d. the psychobiology of gender: cognitive effects of reproductive hormones in the adult nervous system.
- Explains hargreaves, d. r., sex roles in divergent thinking, british journal of social psychology, 47, 25-32.
- Describes mead, macionis, and benokraitis' seeing ourselves. sex and temperament in three primitive societies.
- Explains pitcher, e. g., and schultz, l. h. boys and girls at play: the development of sex roles.
- Explains pomerleau, bolduc, malcuit, & cossette, l. pink or blue: environmental gender stereotypes in the first two years of life.
- Explains that gender differences in the functional organization of the brain for language.
- Opines that fathers treat sons and daughters differently than mothers. developmental review, 7, 183-209.
- Explains that sommers, c. h., the war against boys: how misguided feminism is harming our young men.
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