The Nature-Nurture Debate

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The Nature-Nurture Debate

• Leslie Price
• 1/29/08

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What is the Nature-Nurture Debate?

• The question of whether a childs development is
  most influenced by genetics (nature) or
  environment (nurture).

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Nature

• The argument that biological factors have the
  strongest influence on development
• Any capabilities or limitations are innate
• genetic blueprint for development exists

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Nurture

• The argument that environmental factors have the
  strongest influence on development.
• Environmental influences
• Family
• School
• Peers
• Culture

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Interactionism (Hebb 1949)

• A range of genetic influences can be expressed
  differently in a range of potential environments
• Both nature and nurture influence development,
  but one may be predominant at a certain point in
  life.
• Heredity and environment cannot be separated
• Maybe they shouldnt be separated
• This is what psychologists believe today

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Why is this debate important?

• Implications for schooling, parenting, etc.
• i.e. nurture and parenting ? parents could
  completely shape childrens behavior
• i.e. nature and parenting ? nothing parents could
  do to improve behavior

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Twin Studies

• Study identical twins raised separately and
  fraternal twins raised together
• Similarities ? genetics or combination of
  genetics and similar experiences
• Differences ? must be due to environment
• Adoption studies

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What do Psychologists believe today?

• Most psychologists today agree that both nature
  and nurture play a role in development.
• Do not know the extent of either.