Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Nature and Nurture
A study of identical twins separated at birth is useful in determining the effects of nature and nurture on human behavior, since twins are genetically the closest prototypes of each other that can be found among human beings. Thus, when twins are raised in different environments, it is likely that any resulting differences between the two could be ascribed to their environment in greater part than to their inherent genetics. Conversely, whatever similarities are found between the growing twins, depending on the diversity of their environments, could then be ascribed to the genetics inherited from their parents.
A study to determine the effects of nature and nurture upon human behavior could be designed involving a number of twin sets from a variety of age groups. Grown-up twins can for example be examined for their differences and similarities, and used as a control group for younger sets of twins to be observed for a number of years. Fraternal twins as well as siblings can also be used to control the findings of such a study. While 100% of genes are shared by identical twins, 50% are shared by fraternal twins (Neimark, 1997). Studies including identical and fraternal twins as well as siblings will therefore be revealing with regard to the nature/nurture debate. The groups can then be compared to determine to which degree the environment influenced their differences and genetics their similarities.
3. Current studies regarding this issue are inconclusive. However, it appears that it is impossible to disregard the effect of genes on behavior. Separated twins that have been studied for example display traits such as specific preferences in brand of cigarettes or marriage partner. Furthermore coincidences like timing of miscarriages and falling down stairs have also been documented (Neimark, 1997). It therefore appears that nature has a much bigger influence than might at first have been supposed, while the effect of nurture serves merely to supplement the strong influence of genetics.
Sources
Holden, Constance. (September 1987). "Genes and Behavior: A twin legacy." In Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers Inc. Online database: Findarticles.com
Neimark, Jill. (August-September 1997). "Nature's clones - research on twins." In Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers Inc. Online database: Findarticles.com
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
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
Objects are the same size, obviously, whether they are near or far, but our minds perceive size relative to surroundings. The dogs appear much larger the closer they get. They may seem huge to a person who is afraid of dogs. 3) Depressants, Stimulants, and Hallucinogens Depressants numb one's feelings. They act as anesthetic to one's nervous system. One loses energy, almost as if very fatigued. A person under the influence
nature/nurture in the development of children. The author presents the argument that nature has a lot to do with development but that nurture has a larger influence. There were two sources used to complete this paper. There has been a long-standing debate on what is more important to a child's development; nature or nurture. Those who believe it is nature think that one can provide an optimum environment and the
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