Nature vs Nurture Flashcards
Explain ‘nature’.
The view that behavior is the product of innate biological or genetic factors.
We can inherit physical genes so we can also inherit psychological genetics.
Define heredity.
The process by which traits are passed down genetically from one generation to the next.
What is the basic assumption of the nativist position?
Characteristics of the human species are a product of evolution and individual differences are the result of each person’s unique genetic code.
Give an example of behaviour being ‘pre-programmed’.
Piaget and Selman argue that cognitive development is a product due to our biology.
Our biology is set and at certain ages, characteristics will appear and develop.
Explain ‘nurture’.
The view that behavior is the product of environmental influences.
Give an example of ‘nurture’ in attachment.
Behavioural psychologists explain attachment in terms of classical conditioning.
the child forms an attachment based on the pleasure experienced as a result of being fed.
What do environmentalists assume?
The human mind is a tabula rasa (blank slate) as this is gradually filled a result of experience.
Give an example of ‘nurture’ in aggression.
Bandura argued that aggression is learned through observation, vicarious reinforcement and imitation and is therefore explained by the SLT.
However, he did acknowledge that aggression may be biological and is not completely nurture which suggests a more interactionist approach.
What is an interactionist approach?
Both nature and nurture and influential on behaviour.
Evaluate the interactionist approach.
In psychology there is no comprehensive explanation- we have to combine the two.
Nature and nurture work together to shape human behaviour.
Explain the diathesis stress model in relation to the nature vs nurture debate.
The diathesis is the biological vulnerability such as being born with a gene that predisposes you to develop a disorder. However, the disorder will only develop if there is an environmental ‘stressor’ to trigger it.
This shows how nature and nurture work together to shape/influence behaviour.
Evaluate the real life applications of the nature vs nurture debate.
There are real life applications of both nature and nurture, therefore both sides of the debate have their strengths. For example, the naturist point of view to explain OCD and the treatments developed (SSRI, Clozapine) comes from taking a nativist viewpoint.
However, there is an argument that if anatomy is destiny, certain people may be genetically superior. This implies that you are only a result of your biology.
Give benefits to the nurture side of the debate.
Many treatments have been developed such as, systematic desensitisation, flooding, CBT, token economies etc.
They are used as behaviour shaping to get rid of the things we don’t like.
However they are trying to set a desirable norm which could be socially sensitive.
