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Nature vs. Nurture
This paper argues that my affinity for basketball is the result of both heredity and environment. Being good at the playing basketball requires certain traits, including physical agility, speed, strength, hand-eye coordination, and so forth, as well as intangible characteristics such as mental toughness, work ethic, basketball IQ etc. There is ongoing debate as to whether the influence of heredity or environment is greater in determining basketball skill, and this paper examines that debate from the perspective of genetics and evolution.
My genetic heritage, or genoytype, includes DNA contributions from both parents. These coded instructions determine my phenotype, the observable characteristics I display. Together they account for my basketball abilities.
While it seems straightforward to argue that genetics determine many physical basketball skills, my environment was also a factor. I grew up watching basketball games with my father, and shooting hoops in the driveway and at the park. So my understanding of the game, my...
Exciting research is being conducted. An article by the Association for Psychological Science describes research efforts by Scarr and McCartney into genotype-environment (GE) correlation. The article, describing the work of Scarr and McCartney, posits that
"There are three types of GE correlation: passive, evocative, and active. The passive type occurs because children passively inherit from their parents' family environments that are correlated with their genetic propensities. The evocative type happens because individuals evoke reactions from other people on the basis of their genetic propensities. The active type occurs because individuals select, modify, construct, or reconstruct in memory experiences that are correlated with their genetic propensities." (The Nature of Nurture, 2010).
How does one know if a behavior, in this case basketball skill,…
Reference List
Harden, K.P., Turkheimer, E. & Loehlin, J.C. (2006). Genotype by Environment Interaction in Adolescents' Cognitive Aptitude. Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 1, doi:10.1007/s10519-006-9113-4
McInerney, J. (2008). What is behavioral genetics? Human Genome Project Information. Retrieved March 30, 2011 from http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/behavior.shtml#2
The Nature of Nurture. (2010). Association for Psychological Science. Retrieved March 30, 2011 from http://www.psychologicalscience.org/convention/program_detail.cfm?abstract_id=12506
Nurture Wins Nature/Nurture The debate of nature vs. nurture has persisted with intensity over time. Some scholars contend that this debate can be traced back to the times of ancient Greece. In the debate, nature may be referred to as nativism, or innatism. The side of nature contends that a person's natural, in-born, or innate qualities have more of an influence over the person's life. Nurture refers to personal experience, context, and
Nature-Nurture and Language Development The development of language in an individual is considered as an antecedent from the cognitive ability that is found to be enacted from the genetic structure which helps in the retention and effective utilization of language in the early stages of life. However, the external stimuli with respect to culture and environment also play an effective role in the language development. Moreover, the application of language development
Finally, nativists must concede that culture and native language can shape ideas in the long run. After all, a person's cultural surroundings seem to greatly affect their interpretation of experiences over the course of their life (Bowerman and Choi 475-476). The difference in how much those cultural experiences affect an individual and their language, as well as when such effects happen, is what makes up the entire debate between
Nature or Nurture Nature vs. Nurture Is one shaped by nature or by nurture? This question of nature vs. nurture has been the center of controversy since the beginning of time. Insomuch, some feel that a living organism, such as animals, human beings, or cells may be influenced by external or internal stimuli based on one's environment. With such a huge divergence of perspectives on the issue, the nature-nurture debate is prominent
Nature vs. nurture debate has been the center of discussion for many years. Some believe that human behavior is created naturally while others believe that human behavior evolves over time. The purpose of this discussion is to discuss both sides of issue and to develop an opinion about which side seems more accurate. Let's begin our discussion by explaining the nature vs. nurture debate. Nature vs. Nurture The first recorded experiment concerning nature
The general public has come to accept the sway of almighty genes in the human personality and destiny (De Waal). Studies of the behaviors of chimpanzees and bonobos illustrate striking similarities to human behaviors and suggest evolution and kinship (De Waal 1999). These range from politics, child rearing to violence and morality. There is no place for a blank slate. Human beings are naturally selfish and aggressive or they have