nature v nurture

Question 1

nature nurture debate

Answer 1

one of oldest debate in psych
whether genes or enviro shapes human behaviour

Question 2

nature argument

Answer 2

behaviour = innate , biologically determined
emphasises on genetic inheritance , and biological structures e.g hormones

common meths -
twin studies/concordance rates
brain scans
dna testing

Question 3

heritability coefficient

Answer 3

scale from 0 to 1 , estimates genetic contribution to a trait
1.0= completely genetic
0.5= 50% genetic , 50% enviro
0.1= mostly enviro

Question 4

extreme nature views

Answer 4

suggests some traits are completely due to bio
e.g woman are natural carers , men providers

criticised for being overly deterministic and gender based

Question 5

nurture argument

Answer 5

suggests behaviour learnt through environmental influences

shaped by
upbringing
family and peer
school etc

behaviour is acquired through conditioning

Question 6

key research supporting nurture

Answer 6

classical/operant
learning through association, pavlov and consequences , skinner

social roles/conformity
zimbardo = showed how situational factors can influence behaviour

Question 7

extreme nurture view

Answer 7

humans seen as blank slate
behaviour entirely shaped on experiences , no bio influences

Question 8

examples of nurture based explanation

Answer 8

gambling -
behaviour reinforced
wins or near wins act as pos reinforcement

so continue gambling

Question 9

nature , strength

Answer 9

scientific support
bio studies , use objective meths , making explanation more reliable

Question 10

nature , limitation

Answer 10

ignores enviro
doesn’t explain how life experiences shape behaviour e.g how trauma affects mh

Question 11

nurture , strength

Answer 11

real life application
knowing behaviour shaped by enviro , helps create better parenting, ed and therapy meths

Question 12

nurture limitation

Answer 12

deterministic
suggests ppl just product of environment , ignores personal choice/ bio