Nature vs. Nurture: Which Tells Who We Are
comparative Essay
541 words
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.
Let’s go back to biology when learning about dominant and recessive genes. Dominant genes tend to show more, however traces of recessive genes can be noticed. To figure out whether or not a person is vindictive, can be determined by the genes that make up personality traits. Some people are more kind than others, some are mean and some are comical again all these are samples of personality traits which is part of heredity. Most of this can be supported with the fact it’s how the person was created. Take for instant human instinct, every single person is born with it. The instinct to run when terrified or fight is basic survival skills that are all naturally programmed into our brains. As the author Nigel Nicholson points out: “You can take the person out of the Stone Age, evolutionary psychologists contend, but you can’t take the Stone Age out of the person”(Nicholson). One can even note how the idea of evolution can support the human instinct because since we all have inherited animal characteristics it can relate to instant knowledge for survival.
At the University of Minnesota undergrad students conducted a long term project where more than 350 pairs of twins went throug...
... middle of paper ...
..., which is the influence of nurture. The vast majority that makes us who we are is influenced by nature. We are who we are and genetics and biology make us a complete whole.
Works Cited
Collins, Nick. "It's nature, not nurture: Personality lies in genes, twins study shows." The Telegraph. 16 May 2012. Telegraph Media Group. 05 Feb. 2014 .
Goleman, Daniel. "MAJOR PERSONALITY STUDY FINDS THAT TRAITS ARE MOSTLY INHERITED." The New York Times. 02 Dec. 1986. The New York Times. 07 Feb. 2014 .
Nicholson, Nigel. "July 1998." Harvard Business Review. 07 Feb. 2014 .
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the debate about whether nature or nurture determines who a person is has been going on for quite some time.
- Explains how the idea of evolution can support the human instinct because since we all have inherited animal characteristics it can relate to instant knowledge for survival
- Explains that the university of minnesota undergrad students conducted a long term project where more than 350 pairs of twins went through six days of testing that included: analysis of blood, their brain waves, intelligence and allergies.
- Explains that researchers of edinburgh university studied more than 800 pairs of identical and non-identical twins to learn whether genetics or up bring influences who a person becomes.
- Concludes that nature has more of an impact on who a person is going to be. there are still traces of nurture that can be noticed such as environment and certain experiences.
- Explains that it's nature, not nurture: personality lies in genes, twins study shows.
Related
- analytical
- argumentative
- explanatory
- opinion
- Nature Vs. Nurture: Important Roles In Human Developmentanalytical essayNature vs Nurture Azucena Jaimes Institution Nature vs Nurture The Nature versus Nurture debate has been argued in psychology for a long time. As of today, we know that nature and nurture both portray important roles in the human development. The controversy comes into play when deciding whether a person’s development or behavior is due to a persons inherited genes or is influenced by their environment and life experiences.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that nature and nurture both portray important roles in the human development. the natural side of the debate asserts that the facial features and the way of their developed are strictly through dna/genetics.
- 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.
874 wordsRead More - The Nature Versus Nurture Debateanalytical essayPeople can get their blue, hazel, or brown eyes from one of their parents, and their freckles from the other. But where does their talent for singing, or knack for craftsmanship come from? In other words, what makes individuals who they are? Is it predetermined in their genes or was it taught to them by family or friends? My General Psychology instructor recently explained this contest of nature and nurture as won by neither side. “The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in psychology. The debate centers on the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development.” - (Kendra Cherry). So far the evidence collected from years of research and data suggests a resolution of equal importance between the two factors as fifty/fifty.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that people can get their blue, hazel, or brown eyes from one of their parents, and their freckles from the other. what makes individuals who they are?
- Explains that in the debate of nature v nurture there are people who take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics are the result of inheritance. plato and descartes suggested that certain human behaviors occurred naturally, without regard for environmental influences.
- Explains that empiricists take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics are the result of learning.
- Explains that the mind is white paper void of all characters, without any ideas. how comes it to be furnished? whence comes all the materials of reason and knowledge?
- Analyzes how tabula rasa states that everything we are and all of our knowledge is determined by our experience. human characteristics are tied to environmental influences.
- Asks whether a person is genetically predisposed to be successful, or did he learn the information necessary to excel in the environment around him?
- Analyzes how a virginia teacher began to have irrational sexual desires in 2000 after being placed into an addiction rehabilitation program. after surgeons removed the tumor, his urges faded and he returned home.
- Explains that the majority of experts believe that behavior and human development are influenced by both nature and nurture. however, the issue is still debated in many areas such as the origin of homosexuality and influences on intelligence.
740 wordsRead More - Nature Vs Nurtureanalytical essayWhen we born, we all are like a blank slate (Uzgalis). Then, why are we the way we are? How the slate is filling? This answer will lead us to consider the decades of debate, nature vs nurture. In this age-old debate, scholars are trying to figure out whether it is nature or nurture influences and affects individual's development. Nature is heredity or genes that we get from our parents and nurture is our environment. We can't ignore, we share the DNA from our parents, but it is the environment that is filling the slate and shaping us. Again, environment is brighter in describing the shaping of a person because a person is a reflection of the environment of which they were brought up in. Here, environment refers to the experience, information, and knowledge that we acquire from our family, peers, school, neighborhood, and of course, from the media throughout our lifespan. So, I think, nurture has more influence on who we are and will be because our personality, behavior, values, and ideals are not born, but made by the environment around us.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the debate about whether nature or nurture influences and affects individual's development. nature is heredity or genes that we get from our parents and nurture is our environment.
- Explains that children learn from their parents' teachings and by observing them. a secure family environment helps children develop a personality to overcome the negative effects of outside world.
- Analyzes the relationship between family structure and a child's prospects for success, based on four national data, three longitudinal surveys, and careful analysis.
- Explains that wes' nonexistent relationship with his father probably contributed to his seeming indifference about becoming a father himself. he had no idea what his role would be in this new situation.
- Explains that how we will act in our committed relationships is largely the result of how our families influence our actions and relations.
- Cites alter, adam, and buskowski, william m., ana maria velasquez and mara brendgen. variation in patterns of peer influence.
- Explains cleveland, delia, "champagne taste, beer budget." mirror on america. 4th ed. ed. joan t. mims, and elizabeth m. nollen.
- Explains doyle, patrick, and emmon, sasha. "is media violence damaging to kids?" cnn living, 21 feb. 2013.
- Cites harris, judith rich and kagan, jerome. the role of parents in children's psychological development.
- Explains that masten, ann s., and j. douglas coatsworth, "the development of competence in favorable and unfavorable environments: lessons from research on successful children." american psychological association.
- Opines that media is fuelling eating disorders, say psychiatrists. the other wes moore. new york: spiegel & grau, 2011.
- Explains that risk-taking: knowing when to say no. films on demand. suh, grace. "the eye of the beholder."
- Explains weinstein, rhona s., and hirokazu yoshikawa's toward positive youth development: transforming school and community programs.
522 wordsRead More - Nature Vs Nurture Debateanalytical essayBorn and Raised Albert Camus once said, “Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.” But what makes man what he is? Is it his sheer genetic makeup, or is it the way he was raised? The nature vs. nurture debate has raged on for centuries, but neither side has been able to prove their point indefinitely.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a child born with behavioral issues or positive actions in his or her genes could be influenced by the way the parents raise the child.
- Explains that work ethic has become a recessive trait in today's society. it is not the renown american workforce that was revered throughout the world.
- Argues that the nature vs. nurture debate has raged for centuries, but neither side has been able to prove their point indefinitely.
- Quotes sports psychologist james barraclough's article regarding the question, "are winners born or made?" citing the example of successful black sprint champions with ancestors that were slaves.
2222 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 - 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 - Nature Vs Nurtureanalytical essayWhen it comes to the debate of Nature vs. Nurture I consider myself to be the middle man. I feel that our behavior, physical development and our identity is not only the result of our genealogical makeup but our interactions, and decisions that we encounter on a daily basis as well as our family structure. First I would like to give a brief summary of the two topics.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that their behavior, physical development and identity is not only the result of their genealogical makeup but also our interactions, and decisions that we encounter on a daily basis.
- Argues that the nature side of the debate expresses that our decisions and end results are stemmed from only our genealogical make-up, whereas the nurture side is the actualization that actions and decisions are brought upon us not by our dna makeup but from the environment around us.
- Argues that adolescents start to form their identities by putting themselves into different situations and figuring out which path will have the greatest outcome.
- Explains that family structure plays a very important role when it is included in the nature vs. nurture debate.
- Explains that physical development is created when your parents dna are combined together, which is why you can see characteristics from both parents when you look in the mirror.
- Explains that no matter what topic you try to discuss you can always see both sides of the debate within it whether it be forming an identity, family structure or physical development.
575 wordsRead More - Nature Vs Nresture Essay: Nature Vs. Nurtureexplanatory essayNature vs nurture has been an ongoing debate for many decades among some of the greatest minds in psychology. Everyone is trying to figure out the source of human personality. Does our personality develop primarily by genetics, known as nature or is it based off of our environment and the way we were raised, nature? I believe it is a bit of both, but in my opinion nurture plays a bigger role.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that nature vs nurture is an ongoing debate among some of the greatest minds in psychology. everyone is trying to figure out the source of human personality.
- Explains that nature plays an important role in our development. the physical and personal traits are determined by our genes.
- Explains that their father was an alcoholic, but he would drink excessively in his free time, which affected them. genetics alone do not determine if you will become an addict.
- Explains that nurture is the way we were brought up by our parents or guardians. growing up, they were shy and were picked on for not looking like their peers.
- Narrates how growing up in the us as a latina helped them develop. they learned to accept everyone and not pick on anyone because they were not like them.
- Opines that nature vs nurture is a debate that has been going on for decades. their genes might tell us that because we are short, we can not play basketball, but their nurture and the way we were brought up might have taught us to work hard to become
1008 wordsRead More - Essay On Nature Vs Nurtureopinion essayOne of the oldest arguments in the history of psychology is the nature vs nurture debate. Nature is defined as inherited features, from parents, that you can see or feel. Nurture, on the other hand, is what someone gains as a person from caring and encouraging a good environment. These both aid in growth and development from birth. Some people believe that the majority of who you are comes from heredity, or what you're born with from both parents. Other people strongly believe that your environment moldes who you are, and that what you're born with can be changed with enough nurture. Both of these sides have valid points so it is hard to decide whether a person's development is in from DNA, or if the majority of it is influenced
In this essay, the author
- Explains that both nature and nurture play into who they are, but there are many arguments on what affects them.
- Opines that studies that psychologists can use to look deeper into nature vs. nurture are major and informative.
- Opines that nature and nurture have molded who they are and what different abilities they have as a person vs their opportunities. both play an enormous role in the making of them.
- Explains that nature is defined as inherited features, from parents, that you can see or feel. nurture, on the other hand, is what someone gains from caring and encouraging a good environment.
912 wordsRead More - Erikson's Theory Of Personalityargumentative essayA 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
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the debate between nature and nurture has left people speechless for years. 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.
- Explains that the humanistic approach is the assumption that humans have the choice to exercise free will. maslow's hierarchy of needs describes principals all humans need and desire.
- Explains that the belief that personality stems from one origin is small minded and on many levels, unsupported.
- Explains how erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines specific stages everyone goes through in life and attaches a virtue.
- Opines that sullivan's theory of personality is founded on the idea that personality should be studied within relationships.
- Concludes that personality is a combination of many factors that shape our personality. some psychologists advocate for their myriad of theories, while others are influenced by biological factors.
1844 wordsRead More