issues and debates - nature vs nurture

Question 1

define the nature-nurture debate

Answer 1

It is concerned with the extent to which aspects of behaviour are a product of inherited or acquired characteristics.

Question 2

define what is meant by nature ?

Answer 2

They believe that human characteristics are innate and as a result of heredity.

Question 3

define what is meant by heredity

Answer 3

This is the genetic transmission of mental and physical material from one generation to the next.

Question 4

what do empiricists suggest ?

Answer 4

They believe that the mind is a blank slate, human characteristics are learnt and as a result of the environment.

Question 5

define what is meant by the environment ?

Answer 5

This is any influence on human behaviour that is non-genetic. This many range from pre-natal influences in the womb through to cultural and historical influences at a societal level.

Question 6

what is meant by heritability coefficient

Answer 6

This is used to assess heredity. It is a numerical figure ranging from 0 to 1.0. It indicates the extent to which a characteristic has a genetic basis.

Question 7

who identified different levels of the environment

Answer 7

Richard Lerner.

Question 8

what are the different levels of the environment

Answer 8

Pre-natal terms (mothers physical and psychological state during pregnancy )
and post-natal experiences (social conditions of child)

Question 9

explain the interactionist approach

Answer 9

This is the idea that nature and nurture are linked to such an extent that it does not make sense to separate the two, so researchers instead study how they interact and influence each other.

Question 10

why is it difficult to use twin studies in the nature + nurture debate

Answer 10

It is unknown whether high concordance rates are a result of shared genetic relatedness or shared upbringing

Question 11

what does the diathesis stress model suggest

Answer 11

The model suggests that psychopathology is caused by a biological/genetic vulnerability (the diathesis) which is only expressed when coupled with a biological or environmental trigger (the stressor)

Question 12

what did tienari et al show in terms of diathesis stress model ?

Answer 12

Tienari et al (2004) who found that in a group of Finnish adoptess those most likely to develop schizophrenia had biological relatives with the disorder (the vulnerability) and had relationships with their adoptive families that were defined as ‘dysfunctional’ (the trigger

Question 13

what is epigenetics ?

Answer 13

This refers to the change in our genetic activity without changing our genetic code.
It is a process that happens throughout life and is caused by interaction with the environment.

Question 14

how are epigenetic marks occurred ?

Answer 14

hey are left by aspects of our lifestyle and the events we encounter for example smoking, diet, pollution, war

Question 15

what can epigenetic marks do ?

Answer 15

tell our bodies which genes to ignore and which genes to use.
may go on and influence the genetic code of our children and our children’s children.

Question 16

what does epigenetics do in terms of nature nurture debate

Answer 16

It introduces a third element to the nature-nurture debate; the life experience of previous generations.

Question 17

what did dias and ressler do and find

Answer 17

male lab mice
ectric shocks every time they were exposed to the smell of acetophenone

mice showed a fear rejection
so did their children and their grandchildren

Question 18

limitation of nature (controversy)

Answer 18

belief inherited genetic make-up determines our characteristics and behaviours -controversy

eg Governments have attempted to link race, genetics and intelligence
eugenics policy sterelisation of feeble-minded individuals in America

nature -> carefully considered
make sure
assumptions are not used incorrectly in society.

Question 19

limitation of nurture (behaviour shaping)

Answer 19

may lead to bad outcomes

Desirable behaviours are selectively reinforced and undesirable behaviour are punished or ignored.

if too far - assumptions may lead to society that manipulates its society using these techniques

removes free will -> ethical issue

Question 20

limitation for nature (twin studies)

Answer 20

twin studies rely on that only difference between MZ & DZ twins is genetic similarity

environmental influences may mean that MZ twins are more similar

treated more similarly that DZ twins -> look the “same”

difference in concordance rates -> due to nurture rather than nature

Question 21

limitation for nature (twin studies)

Answer 21

twin studies rely on that only difference between MZ & DZ twins is genetic similarity

environmental influences may mean that MZ twins are more similar

treated more similarly that DZ twins -> look the “same”

difference in concordance rates -> due to nurture rather than nature

Question 22

limitation for both

support for interactionist approach

Answer 22

more realist way of considering influences on behaviour

PKU is caused by the inheritance of two recessive genes. If the child is diagnosed early, -> placed on a low protein diet for the first 12 years, which helps to revert this disorder

disorder PKU (nature) is not expressed, -> due to altered environment

nature and nurture interact to impact on behaviour. - interactionist approach