Nature v nurture Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the biological approach - nature?
Biological approach = NATURE
We are shaped by our genes, the innate structure of our brains, level of neurotransmitters & hormones
NB does allow for some nurture too – eg drugs are environmental (nurture) and these can change how we behave
What is the learning approach? - Nurture
Learning approach = NURTURE
We are shaped by our life experiences & the environment around us, including people & events that happen to us
NB does allow for some nature too – eg classical conditioning relies on learning by association of neutral stimuli with reflex stimulus-response behaviours that we are born with (nature)
Evidence for nurture
- Inherited predispositions
- Often physical traits- height, eye colour etc
- Some physical, developmental & mental health conditions – arthritis, dyslexia, schizophrenia
Genes & evolution
Behaviours that have evolved through natural selection must be controlled by genes – eg aggressive males ->more sexual partners -> more offspring who inherited dad’s aggressive genes -> aggression has been genetically ‘bred in’ to us
Innate behaviours
Instinctive, reflex behaviours are not learned, they are present from birth & there are few individual differences – we all have them
Eg human babies- when roof of mouth is touched, mouth moves in sucking reflex to obtain milk
Evidence for nurture
Many ways to learn
Humans are more complex than a simple product of our genetic code – we learn through association (classical conditioning), consequence of rewards & punishments (operant conditioning), and by imitating other people around us (social learning)
Wider experiences
Social & cultural environments – we learn social norms & desirable behaviours from our family setting (eg some South East Asian countries – emotionally, vocally & physically restrained; some South American countries – emotionally, vocally & physically expressive)
Chemical environment of a foetus can change its development, eg drug use in pregnancy smaller birth weight
Evidence for nurture
How do cross cultural studies help provide evidence for the nature side of the debate?
Wolfgang & Ferracuti (1967) found that the Yanomami people of Brazil are very aggressive & encouraged to be so, whereas the !Kung San people of South Africa are not aggressive & this is encouraged
How does this provide evidence that nurture is a strong influence over aggression?
Interactionist approach
Nature v Nurrute is a false dichotomy xinteraction of both, not either/or
Why would Brendgen et al critics the evolutionary explanation of social aggression?
Found social aggression had an environmental link, with a a higher concordance amongst non shared environmental factors for both Mz and Dz twins
However, how does Brendgen et al also support the evolutionary explanation of aggression too?
Found a higher concordance between Mz twins for physical aggression - genetic link to behaviour which will have been inherited from parents gene pool
Diathesis Stress Model
In the diathesis-stress model, a genetic vulnerability or predisposition (diathesis) interacts with the environment and life events (stressors) to trigger behaviours or psychological disorders. The greater the underlying vulnerability, the less stress is needed to trigger the behaviour/disorder. Even so, someone with a diathesis towards a disorder such as schizophrenia does not necessarily mean they will ever develop the disorder. Both the diathesis and the stress are required for this to happen.
Interactionist model
Our genes and our environment constantly interact to determine our personality. They work together to determine the end point.
For example criminal personality may be determined by a genetically aggressive person who has been exposed to violent, criminal, role models. They may only become criminal because of both of these factors interacting, and without both it would not happen.
Structure for classic studies
- AO1- Aims and background - What behaviour is being measured in the study and what theories does it link to – which side of the debate does it show
- Procedure – how do they investigate the behaviour being studied. How does the demonstrate nature or nurture or interactionism?
- What are the results and conclusions of the study – how to these provide examples of nature, nurture or interactionism
- AO3- Strengths of the study in studying the debate ( think GRVE)
Weaknesses of the study in studying the debate (think GRVE)
What applications or implications does the study give in terms of society and impact of assuming the behaviour is nature, nurture or interactionist.
In sherif what behaviour was being measured
Behaviour - in group, out group behaviours/ prejudice S a result of competition
THEORY x RCT
What methodology was used in sherif
Field study, 2 groups of 12 year old boys all middle class, white, 2 parent backgrounds = nurture as all from same background
Practical applications of sherif
Found superordinate goals reduce prejudice x educational settings AJT x highlights environs,mt can change behaviour
Baddeley what behaviour was tested
How memeory encodes, acoustically, semantically
Innate x everyone has the same memorysorees
How we learn is the same, what we learn is effected by experience
What methodology is used to measure this behaviour in Baddeley
Lab experiment - 10 words learn order after being shown them on a slideshow
1 word every 10 seconds. testing the encoding of memory = nature
Practical applications of baddeley
Do not rote learn - need to make semantic links eg mind aos and do not learn similar content at the same time, recall will be lower
What behaviour is measured in raine
Behaviour x aggression.
Brain activity - PFC/amygdala has the same functions in everyone so damage will present the same - nature
What methodology is used in raine to measure
Pet scan using 32 min CPT task to look at levels of glucose metabolism - nature
Practical applications - Raine
Pre-screening - nature, implications for prisons - nature but early intervention to change behaviour eg anger management - nurture ?
What he about is being measured in little albert?
Behaviour - learnt phobia through classical conditioning
Theories = classical conditioning, thought to be a universal theory as you learn through association with stimuli in your environment ( though this will differ between individuals)
What methodology was used to measure little albert ?
Lab experiment- 11month old baby - young, unlikely has formed previous associations with the objects = tests nurture. Also described as ‘stolid’ so unlikely reactions were due to being naturally scared = further tests nurture
Followed standardised procedure of
NZ + UCS -> UCR until CS _> CR
What are the practical applications of LITTLE ALBERT?
Shows behaviour can be learnt from associations stimuli in environments if paired with UCS
( UCR to metal bang = natural reflex response = nature )
If fear is acquired through classical conditioning, then can also be treated in the same way using systematic desensitisation = nurture
Rosenhan behaviour measured?
If the DSM II was reliable
