Nature Vs Nurture Debate Essay

Nature Vs. Nurture Debate
The debate of Nature vs. Nurture is almost as old as humans themselves. Science that mysterious
language that allows to understand the world around us still can't give us a clear picture into our
DNA. Are our personalities somehow linked to the chemicals in our brains or do we take after
those who raise us? I've actually wondered this myself when I read an article last year in my
literature class about whether babies were born inherently good or evil. The study seemed to
suggest that "bad" behaviors were learned. And since our morals shape much of our personality
and what decisions we make I tend to favor the nurture side of this debate. But, the stories of the
two children switched at birth was a very interesting account that seemed to favor the idea that our
DNA had something to do with our mannerisms. It was very convincing and I wondered for a
second if what I thought was wrong, would I be the same person if I had grown up with different
parents? Maybe, but the opposite could be just as true the story we read about the Millers and
McDonalds was...show more content...
My brother is outgoing and sporty, while I am more introverted and studious even though we have
the same parents. Another thing that might affect my opinion is the fact that the two families
looked different. If both families had dark hair and the daughters were born with dark hair would
the story would have ended the same way? Many people in the town suspected mostly based on
appearance, but if the two girls had looked more similar I don't know if people would have paid as
close of attention as they did to the two girls's
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On November 15, 1959, four members of the prosperous Clutter family were murdered for
seemingly no reason. This led many people to come up with their own ideas of what happened that
night. This debate may be answered by psychology. One question that psychologists have is whether
people are controlled more by their nature–genetics–or nurture–how they were raised (Mcleod 1).
This debate can be used to discuss the motive of murderers, and argue for or against the death
penalty in their case. Richard ВЁDickВЁ Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, the ВЁClutter
Killers,ВЁ are a perfect example of the nature vs. nurture debate. Perry was more influenced by
nurture, while Dick was more influenced by nature. Perry SmithВґs early childhood affected his
actions. PerryВґs journals and interviews reveal that he did not have a healthy childhood. In his
court ordered autobiography, Perry states "My mother was always drunk, never in a fit condition
to properly provide and care for us. I run as free & wild as a coyote. Their was no rule or discipline,
or anyone to show me right from wrong" (Capote 174). Since Perry was never taught right from
wrong, it is more difficult to blame him for his actions. It is very possible that he did not know that
killing the Clutter family was wrong. PerryВґs conscience was never fully developed, so he could
not be expected to understand the moral implications of his actions. Even after Perry was taken away
from his unfit mother by his father, his childhood

The Nature Versus Nurture Debate Essay
You got your dark brown hair from your father, and you got your looks from your mother. But
where did you get your excitement for sports and your love for all animals? One's physical
characteristics lean more towards genes and heredity, but our genes are not talked about as much
when behavior is the topic. This is how the nature versus nurture debate came about. Scientists who
believe in the nature theory believe that people behave the way they do due to heredity and genes.
On the other hand, nurture scientists believes behavior is taught and influenced by the environment
and the surrounding people. Many say that behavior results from nature, while others believe in the
opposite, the environment. Human development has been viewed as one of the most highly
controversial topics in the world of psychology today, and this debate is nature versus nurture.
Discussion
Nature There are two types of believers regarding human development: nativists and empiricists.
Nativists are those who believe that specific skills or abilities are "native" or engrained into the
brain in the womb or at birth. Each person has their own unique genetic code that is specific to that
individual as a whole. Therefore, some people are born with a more superior genetic makeup than
others are (McLeod, 2007). Bowlby's theory of attachment is an example of a strong nature position
in psychology. His theory illustrates the bond between a mother and her child as being an essential
process that guarantees

One of the oldest arguments in the history of psychology is the nature versus nurture debate.
Today we recognize that both nature and nurture play key roles in human development, but still do
not know if we have developed largely due to nature or nurture. There is a study of identical twins
that were separated at birth and were reunited after 35 years. Although they were raised apart, they
had much in common and similar lives. Both had the same careers, did similar actives in school,
and study the same subjects in college. This study was part of a nature and nature study. Here is a
link if you like to read more about it. http://www.npr.org/2007/10/25/15629096
/identical–strangers–explore–nature–vs–nurture Even with these kinds of studies

PSYS 150 Assessment Task 1 Nature–Nurture Debate Scientists and biologist have argued the Nature
versus Nurture debate for decades. This debate argues the degree to which our genetics or
environment, affects our behaviour and developmental stages. Nature is described as the genetic
material that makes up an individual. Nurture can be described as the way in which the environment
and experiences of an individual influence their behavior and development. The debate has centered
on which is a greater factor for many years but current contemporary views accept and acknowledge
the intricacy of the developmental procedure and recognize that "development is not the case of
nature or nurture, but rather nature and nurture" (Howard & Walton 2015) It has been shown that
genetic and environmental factors are in such continuous interactions that the emergence of
particular structures and functions is the result of the dependent interaction of genetics and
environment.(Lewkowicz, 2011.) Those advocating the nature perspective argue for genetic
determinism, this supports the idea that each person has a genetic blueprint that is formulated to
unfold at a precise time in a precise way. It is believed that "genetic material sets up our potential,
possibilities and probabilities." (Howard & Walton 2015 p.5) For example: Body type, Height, Hair
colour, Blood type etcetera. (Howard & Walton 2015) A recent questionnaire of the general public
indicated that "genetic influence was considered

Nature Vs Nurture Debate
Nature Vs. Nurture
For years upon years, people have argued the nature vs. nurture debate. The term "nature vs nurture"
has been dated to be used all the way back to the Elizabethan period. To break down exactly what
nature vs nurture is, it's a debate whether prenatal care and home environment determines human
behavior, or if that simply relies on a person's genetics. Personally, I believe both nature and nurture
play an important role in a human's development and behavior. To fully understand my reasoning, I'll
break down exactly what nature and nurture are in this long–standing debate.
When you hear the word nature in this debate, it's not referring to things like plants, water, or
insects. The word nature is referring to all the genes and hereditary factors that play into who we
are. This includes our physical appearances, as well as our personality characteristics. Biological
psychology tends to lean more on the side of the nature debate. It stresses the importance of genetics
and biological influences. Philosophers like Plato and Descartes agree with this. They suggest that
certain things are inborn, or that they occur naturally regardless of any environmental influences.
...show more content...
Nurture refers to all the environmental variables that impact who we are. These would include
things like our early childhood experiences, how we were raised, our social relationships, and our
surrounding cultures. Behaviorism tends to lean more on the side of nurture debate. Unlike
Biological psychology, behaviorism focuses on the impact the environment has on how one acts.
John Locke backed up the nurture theory by what is called tabula rasa. The tabula rasa suggested
that the mind is a blank slate. According to this notion, everything that we are and all of our
knowledge is determined by our

Essay on Nature vs Nurture Debate
Nature vs Nurture Debate
Nature versus Nurture is the issue of the degree to which environment and heredity influence
behavior and development. In this issue nature can be defined as, behaviors due to heredity. Which
means behaviors are based on the genetic makeup of an individual and is an influence of the
individuals' growth and development throughout life. On the other hand nurture are causes of
behaviors that are environmental. Which means the influence is from, parents, siblings, family,
friends and all other experiences to which the individual is exposed to.
Throughout my childhood, I didn't grow up free of environmental influences nor did I develop
without being affected by my inherited genetic makeup. I think...show more content...
In reading stories about identical twins my point of view is easily understood. Various types of
psychologist have analyzed the study of identical twins. It shows that individuals with the same
genetic make–up can be totally different, when it comes to personality. Nurture promotes the twins
to grow up as separate individuals. Its a lot better if a twin has his or her own personality rather
than the same exact personality of the other half. I think this great debate weighs heavier on the
nurture side. As a child my parents, and sibling overshadowed my genetic make–up. No matter how
much I thought my physical traits made me behave. It did not affect me more than the things that I
had seen and been exposed to. The more things that I had seen around and experienced made me the
person that I am today. If my genetic make–up was totally different, to a certain extent, I am sure
that I?d behave the same way that I do presently. There are exceptions to that. For instance if I
were six foot five and one hundred and ninety pounds, I?d most likely be in the NBA and be really
rich. I think if I was really rich and in the NBA I wouldn?t have the same worries that I have
today. Even if before I were in the NBA I would have lots of attention and have a lot more
confidence. So to an extent I would change a little if my genetic make–up were different. In a sense,
genetic make–up is just a competitor to the environmental factors

The Debate On Nature Vs Nurture Essay
As the dubious history of the debate on nature vs nurture continues to be a controversy, more and
more psychologists start to rise from both sides of the argument. The earliest evidence can be
traced back to the time of John Locke, who believes that our minds are blank slates and only
experience can write override it. Despite the main focus of the issue being how environment
transact to influence development, psychologists today continue to argue on the issue of nature vs
nurture. Intelligence is more of a concept rather than a specific measure of something. To be able
to argue for nature or nurture, one needs to understand what intelligence really means. By
definition, it refers to our "mental quality consisting of the ability to learn from experience, solve
problems, and use knowledge to adapt to new situations. This concept covers the fields of many
different aspects of the obstacles we meet in life, and what we are trying to figure out is which side
of the argument can support and explain how the idea of intelligence is actually produced. Although
some correlational studies show that nature corresponds greatly with peoples ' intelligence levels, it
does not prove causation unless the correlation level is extremely high (somewhere around
+0.8–+1.0). However, many factors and ideas can be used to prove that nurture has a bigger impact
on peoples intelligence levels. Through the parenting, education, and social economic and cultural
background, it is evident that nurture is

The long–lived "Nature vs. Nurture" debate within the field of psychology is concerned with the
extent to which behaviour of any human being is a result of inherited or learned characteristics. The
"Nature" of the debate focuses on how genetic factors affect the personality, thought process, and
other characteristics of any given person. On the other hand, the "Nurture" side of this debate
believes that early childhood experiences, how one is raised, social relations, and surrounding
culture affect their psychological development and the actions they take later on in life. Throughout
the history of psychology, however, this debate has continued to stir up controversy. For example; is
the academic success of a child a result of genetics and...show more content...
Some may have a natural ability to understand a certain concept easier than others, however,
without the proper environment, these talents may never have been developed at all. A child would
never know that they are good at math if they were never taught how to do it. No one can claim
that these abilities are completely natural, the ability of one to perform academically relates to how
much effort they put into their school work, the quality of school they attend, or what their family
expectations are for their success. A child may be very bright, but if they are not surrounded by
people who show them that success is important, the child may never be

The Debate Of Nature Vs. Nurture
Nature versus nurture, one of the oldest philosophical debates. Genes or nature, environmental
influence or innate tendencies? Is there a possibility the two both play equal roles? Do our
parents and our environment really shape us into the people we are or are we born with specific
traits? How do we become who we are? Those same questions have been debated over for centuries
and centuries. The real question is whether a person's development is predisposed in DNA, or is a
majority influenced by life experiences.The modern debate centers around the effect genes have on
human personalities compared to the influences that early environment and development have.
(Nature Nurture in Psychology.) Many psychologists believe that the debate is...show more content...
Scientist have ran many experiments in which it is proven that they come together in certain cases.
For example perfect pitch is the ability to detect the pitch of a tone without reference. Researchers
have found this tends to run in families and can be linked to a single gene. They've also discovered
the gene is not enough to trigger the tone, that even though it is inherited, training is key for
development. Height is another trait that both nature and nurture can influence equally. A child may
be tall but if not provided nourishment in the right environment they will never attain their potential
height. Both nature and nurture play a role in the fetal development of a child. Genetically, the child
is will be born with inherited traits such as hair color, but the nourishment from the mother can
determine the rate of development. This proves that both nature and nurture play individual roles,
but they come together to act as one, one being just as important as the other. In conclusion, nature
and nurture both play large roles in the development of humans, and one does not outweigh the other.
As proven, nature and nurture both rely on one another. There is not enough evidence to prove one
is more important than the other, making my hypothesis correct, that they were equal in importance.
Without the genes we are born with, the environment would not have the ability to have an influence
on human

Nature vs Nurture debate is one of the oldest arguments in the history of psychology. The debate is
about to know if our personality and talents come from our parent or environment? The coding of
genes in each cell in humans determine the different traits that we have, more physical attributes
dominance like ear size, eye colour, , height, hair colour and other traits. However, it is still not
known whether the more abstract attributes like, intelligence, sexual orientation, personality,
preferences are gene–coded in our DNA. Biological Perspective (Nativists) The nativist adopts a
hereditary perspective. They believe the characteristics that make us human are the outcome of
evolution and the coding of genes in each cell in us humans...show more content...
This view suggests attachment behaviours are naturally selected, and passed on as a result of
genetic inheritance (heredity mechanisms). Behaviour = attachment, cause = inmate (biological
factors) Behavioural psychologists explain attachment in terms of classical conditioning, where
food (UCS) is associated with the mother (NS), and through many repeated pairings, the mother
becomes a (CS) who elicits a CR in the child. Therefore, the child forms an attachment based on the
pleasure experienced as a result of being fed. Behaviour = attachment, cause classical conditioning
learning from the mother/environment. Interactionist perspective between nature and nurture The
genetic disorder PKU is caused by the inheritance of two recessive genes. People with PKU are
unable to break down the amino acid phenylalanine which builds up in the blood and brain causing
mental retardation. However, if a child with PKU is placed on a low protein diet for the first 12
years, they avoid this potentially serious lifelong disorder. The integrationist perspective views: as
both nature and nurture work together to shape human behaviour. The disorder PKU nature) is not
expressed because of an altered environment (low diet – nurture). I can conclude by saying that
Nurture + nature = who we are today, since both of them play a very significant part

Nature Vs Nurture
The nature ( genes, biological and family factors ) versus nurture ( childhood, social and
environmental factors ) debate is about the impact of an individual's inborn characteristics as
opposed to the experience from the surroundings they were brought up in, in deciding individual
differences in physical and moral traits. The theory that people obtain all or most of their moral traits
from social and environmental factors is also known as nurture.
Comparing them side by side. I found this chart that lists all the differences.
Comparison chart
Nature
Nurture
What is it?
In the "nature vs nurture" debate, nature refers to an individual's innate qualities (nativism).
In the "nature vs nurture" debate, nurture refers to personal experiences...show more content...
Media is able to control and name gender characteristics in a swaying approach. People
compartmentalize their understanding about the world around them by sorting and making it easier
to understand the information they receive. This information has a major influence on our social
awareness–understanding–expectations–situations– and our emotional control.
These things are incorporated during our socialization. They can be a result of our own scrutiny or
be adopted from the sway of significant others including family, friends and media. Because of many
easier to understand broad definitions they create and present unfinished personal and sometimes
untrue pictures of reality. They are often based on long established traditions and are immune to
change.
Wolska, M. (2015). Gender stereotypes in mass media. Case study: Analysis of the gender
stereotyping phenomenon in TV commercials. Retrieved December 6, 2015, from

"Parents who discipline their child by discussing the consequences of their actions produce children
who have better moral development, compared to children whose parents use authoritarian methods
and punishment." The nature Vs nurture debate has been around since 1690 created by the
philosopher John Locke who believed we as humans do not have natural, inborn ideas; that our
minds are a blank page, upon which experience shall write. Nurture is everything and nature is
simply nothing. "Nature is what we think of as pre–wiring and is influenced by genetic inheritance
and other biological factors. Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external factors after
conception e.g. the product of exposure, experience and learning on an individual. The
nature–nurture debate is concerned with the relative contribution that both influences make to
human behaviour" ( http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html). Throughout years of
advancements within the study of the Nature Vs Nurture debate it is thought that people are either
born with a psychopathic mind or something has influenced, triggered the tendency further into
their development during childhood and adolescents. I believe no one is naturally born a
phenomenal singer or actor and no one is born a serial killer, it's the events/experiences that led up
to the peaked moment of realisation that shaped us to be who we are and how we act. Hello
everyone my name is Professor Churches today, this seminar will focus

The nature vs. nurture debate has been a debate that has lasted through the ages about what the
effects of biology as well as social influences has on a person and their behavior. The "nature" side
of the debate argues that people are genetically predetermined to behave and react to situations in a
certain way. The "nurture" side of the debate argues that our participation in social life is the most
important factor in determining who we are and how we behave. Each side of this debate has very
good points to argue its validity, making hard to decide whether a person's development is
predisposed in their DNA, or a majority of it is influenced by life experiences and their environment.
Today, we know that both nature and nurture play important...show more content...
Nature is in your genes. The physical and personality traits determined by your genes stay the
same regardless of where you are born and raised or who you were raised by. For example, almost
all children have the ability to learn to walk, understand language, imitate others, use simple tools,
and make their own conclusions about how other people see the world. Consequently, all children
have universal human genes that, when tied together with a reasonable environment, allow them to
develop as rationally competent members of society. Other kinds of genes create differences
among people. A child's height and weight, eye color, and facial features are largely determined by
genes. Moreover, a child's disposition, their individual ways of reacting to emotional events and
their own impulses seems to be partly affected by their individual genes. In the same way, being
slow or quick to learn from instruction and everyday experiences has some root in genetics as well.
Inherited features and inclinations are not always obvious at birth. Many physical features show
themselves over time through the course of genetically driven changes that happen over the course
of our development. Environmental assistance, like food, relatively safe and toxin–free atmospheres,
and responsive and attentive care from others, is required as well for complete development to take
happen; nature never works

The And Nature Vs. Nurture Debate Essay
Contrasting Culture "[The] capacity for disgust, like all natural capacities, can be built on
culture." (Appiah 54) Are identities constructed because of surroundings, or are they molded
based on one's own individual thoughts and actions? This is the ultimate question; a variation of
the nature vs. nurture debate. One can make the assumption that a person is molded by what he
or she sees around him happening in the world, or by reading and learning from past events. In
CORE this semester, we read plenty of books, all with the common theme of identity. Throughout
all three units there were better examples of identity, and there were not so good examples of
identity. However, another common theme is an individual's identity getting compromised by
what he or she is exposed to on a daily basis. A person builds his idea of himself based off of what
he sees around him. As sad as this fact is, very few people are not influenced by outside sources.
One of the biggest influencers today is social media. Now, some may say that social media is not
considered culture. However, most of people living in the world today have some form of social
media. In It's Complicated a book by Danah Boyd discusses the use of social media and the
effects that it has on young people today. The book covers a wide variety of different topics in the
realm of social media and focuses a lot on how teens and young adults interact with each other
through social media. It goes into detail on the societal

The Nature Vs. Nurture Debate Essay
1) Use the example of feral children to construct an argument in the nature versus nurture debate.
Humans require nurturing and human interaction in order to live a normal life. Once an infant is
born, a parent cares and watches for the child. The parents teach the child how to communicate,
walk, and know what's right and wrong. Humans require their humanness through social
interaction. Without socializing, a human can be brought up differently. Even though children are
biologically human, they don't have the instincts or natural drive that makes them human. Social
interaction is needed such as personality, love, freedom, justice, right and wrong, and reality.
Humans are the social creations of society. For example, feral children. There are hundreds of
documentations on cases of feral children all throughout history. These feral children had been
raised without human interaction or by other animals they have come in contact with. There was
a case in 1974 about a young boy whose story was similar to Tarzan. In central Africa, he was
discovered at only six years old with a group of gray monkeys. For many years, he still remained a
monkey by eating only fruits and vegetables and jumping up and down in excitement. Also another
case with a young girl named Anna. Throughout her life she lived in seclusion and loneliness. Her
grandfather refused to acknowledged her existence while her mother ignored her and kept her in an
attic. Once she was discovered by a social worker they

Nature Vs Nurture Debate Case Study
1.The nature versus nurture debate is a controversial issue questioning whether or not human
behavior is a result of biology. Nature is the idea that genetics and biology determine an individual's
behaviors and thoughts. The scientific study of how behavior is affected by biology is known as
sociobiology. On the other hand, nurture is the idea that human thoughts, feelings and actions are
the result of society and culture. In this argument, human behavior is learned through the influence
of society, thus can be changed as societies change. In recent times, most scientists support
gene–culture evolution. They believe that biology and culture are interrelated; biology is shaped by
culture just as culture is shaped by biology. This means...show more content...
Erving Goffman's dramaturgical approach is an example of interactionist perspective. This
involves using a smaller idea, such as actors putting on a play, to understand the bigger picture,
society. In this approach, each person involved in a play represent individuals in a society. Just as
each person has a part to make the play successful, each individual in real life has a role to
maintain society. The front stage is where the performance happens; it is where the props and actors
are shown to the audience. Conversely, the backstage involves the hidden preparation for the
performance. In order for the play to be successful, the people involved in the play must work
together to create a performance that the audience will enjoy. Similarly, individuals use impression
management and face–work to have a certain image appropriate in

Nature Vs Nurture Debate Essay
The oldest arguments in the history of psychology is the Nature vs Nurture discussion. Both are
legitimate and it is very hard to decide whether a person's development is prone to his DNA or
influenced by his life experience and environment. Presently, nature and nurture both play important
role in human development. However what remains unknown is if human is developed solely
because of nature or nurture. . As of now, we know that both nature and nurture play important roles
in human development, but we have not known yet whether we are developed majorly because of
nature or due to nurture. Nature is the collection of genes in each human cell which determines the
different traits that we have such as eye/hair color,ear size, height etc....show more content...
Classical and operant conditioning are both similar because they involve making association between
behavior and events in an organism's environment. They are guided by the law of association.
Classic conditioning g was originated by Mr. Pavlov and it is sometimes referred to respondent
conditioning. Classic conditioning facilitate learning as an involuntary response resulting from an
experience. It occurs when you lean to associate different stimulus which are unconditioned stimulus
and unconditioned response. While operant conditioning facilitate learning as a changes in behavior
as a result of experience that occurs after a response. It involves voluntary behavior which is
followed with either reinforcement or punishment, Reinforcement will cause a behavior to increase
while punishment decreases a behavior. There are also two types of punishment that occur in operant
conditioning. Positive punishment is the addition of something undesirable. Examples would be a
child receiving a spanking or receiving extra chores for misbehaving. The other type of punishment
is negative punishment. Negative punishment is the removal of something pleasing. Examples
would be a child being placed in timeout or losing video game privileges for misbehavior. http:/
/study.com/academy/lesson/
classical–conditioning–vs–operant–conditioning–differences–and–examples.html 4. Describe short
term/working memory and long term memory. Explain what is meant by the constructive

Nature vs. nurture is a debate that stretches through all periods of time. Since the biblical era to now
the issue is still widely debated and even more so relevant right now than it ever has been. It's
beginnings stem from the first great minds who wondered whether one's genetics decided their
psychology, or rather their environment. Essentially that is all nature vs. nurture is; whether a
person's thought process, actions, and behavior are determined by nature or nurture. Nature,
otherwise known as genetics, plays a vital role in one's health and psychology. Genetics may cause a
predisposition to some diseases, including mental illnesses. For example, if a father and a mother
both carry a gene for schizophrenia, the child could be born

Intro Do you ever wonder why you act? The nature vs nurture debate has been going for a long time
and many people research about it. Nature needs to be noticed because it is important. Identical
twins are different in many different ways. My personality has changed a lot over time. Studies show
that nurture has more effect on your personality than nature. Nurture has more of an influence than
nature. Opposition I believe that nature has a little play in the role, but nurture is much more. An
explain is Bonnie and Brenda were somewhat alike, but one of them changed their genders. Another
example Anais and Sam didn't even live together for 25 years but, when they finally met each other
they had many differences. Going off my personality...show more content...
In one of the videos we watch there were two twins named Bonnie and Brenda, they were both
girls. One of the twins wanted to switch genders. Anis and Sam were also two twins that were
different. They didn't live together and didn't know each other for 25 years and when they met
they were way different. They thought that they would be very alike and everything but they were
different and that just shows how nurture is stronger than nature. Argument #2 My personality has
changed a lot over time. When I was little I didn't like to talk to people I am still that way but
everything else has changed. I used to not like to plan everything, but now I always plan things. I
never used to have everything planned out ready to go every day but now I do. Another thing that
has changed is when I was younger, I would choose things based on what looked cooler, rather than
what was smart now, I chose what's smarter or better than cool looking. Argument #3 Studies show
that nurture has more effect on your personality than nature. Harry Harlow separated infant monkeys
from their parents. They gave the monkeys to adoptive parents. One of the parents was made of
wires and dispensed food and drink. The other mother was made wire covered with cloth. When they
were experimenting the monkeys liked the comfort of the cloth more than the food and drink
dispensing

Nature Vs Nurture Debate Essay

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Nature Vs Nurture Debate Essay