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NATURE vs. NURTURE in HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY
The dual aspect of the origin of human behavior has fascinated psychologists since its earliest era. On one hand, genetic inheritance is an obvious component of human behavior; on the other hand, the cumulative effects of environmental influences also contributes to it. It is well documented that specific traits such as intelligence, artistic talent (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2005), and even predisposition to various psychological ailments (Coleman, Butcher, et al., 1994; Shapiro, 1999) have a genetic basis. Still, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the effects of environment from genetics, especially since children of intelligent parents are more likely to receive better education, children of artistic parents are more likely to be exposed to art at an early age, and children of depressed parents experience different parent-child relationships by virtue of their parents' behavior.
Some of the best evidence of the innate origin of various elements of human behavior come from twin studies, particularly those involving identical twins separated at birth and raised separately. In several well documented instances, the twins pursued identical courses of academic study and career, married spouses of the same name, and even exhibited identical habits, such as their preference for a type of clothing, a brand of beer, and even a unique style of opening a beer can (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2005).
However, that environmental influences have a significant effect on the development of behavior is equally evident, even in animal studies, such as experiments involving chimpanzees exposed to various environments that produce behavior that appears contrary to their known genetic predisposition (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2005). Ultimately,
both "nature" and "nurture" likely play approximately equal roles in shaping behavior.
References
Coleman, J., Butcher, J., and Carson, R. (1994). Abnormal
Psychology and Human
Life. Dallas: Scott, Foresman & Co.
Gerrig, R., Zimbardo, P. (2005). Psychology and Life 18th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Shapiro, D. (1999). Neurotic Styles. New York: Basic Books.
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
(Myers, 2006, p. 99) The clone's adult personality would still likely closely resemble that of the donor, but would not likely be an exact match of the other. The issue of temperament has a great deal to do with decisions, as when certain offerings are made to the individual infant, the individual infant will likely respond in a consistent manner according to his or her temperament. Temperament, according to Myers,
Providing more effective and less painful treatments would indeed be a very large step in the right direction. The study results indicated by the above authors provide significant hope in this direction. References Jaffee, S.R. And Price, T.S. (2007). Gene-environment correlations: a review of the evidence and implications for prevention of mental illness. Molecular Psychiatry, Vol. 12. Retrieved from: http://www.biostat.sdu.dk/courses/f11/TwinAnalysis/papers/Gene%20Environment%20interaction/jaffee2007.pdf Lahey, B.B., D'Onofrio, B.M. And Waldman, I.D. (2010, Feb. 10). Using Epidemiological
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
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