Issues And Debates

Question 1

Discuss the nature vs nurture debate in psychology (16) - PLAN

Answer 1

1st paragraph:
- Define nature
- Twin studies to explain
- Family studies (Nestalt et al)
- Evolution (Fight or flight response)

2nd Paragraph:
- Define nurture
- Pavlov and skinner explanation
- classical conditioning and operant conditioning
- social learning theory (Bandura) - aggression example

3rd Paragraph:
- Limitation of nature (can be affected by nurture) - (Maguire 2000)
+ However nature can affect nurture (Plomin 1977)
+ Scarr and McCartney (1983) - genes affecting nurture

4th Paragraph:
- Limitation of nurture (lacks validity)
- Most researchers tend to use interactionist approach (both nurture and nature)
- diathesis stress model (both nature and nurture)