nature vs nurture

Question 1

What is the nature/nurture debate?

Answer 1

It’s a debate about whether human behavior is determined more by biological factors (nature) or by upbringing and environment (nurture).

Question 2

What do most sociologists believe in the nature/nurture debate?

Answer 2

Most sociologists believe that nurture (socialisation and environment) is more important than nature.

Question 3

What did Bouchard’s twin studies find?

Answer 3

Identical twins raised apart (e.g., Oskar and Jack) had striking similarities in personality and preferences, suggesting a strong influence of nature.

Question 4

What does the case of feral children (e.g., Kamala & Amala) show?

Answer 4

Without human contact, children do not develop normal social or language skills, highlighting the importance of nurture

Question 5

Who was Genie and why is her case important?

Answer 5

Genie was a child who suffered extreme isolation. She never fully developed language or social skills, supporting the importance of early socialisation (nurture).

Question 6

What happened in the case of Bruce/Brenda Reimer?

Answer 6

After a failed circumcision, Bruce was raised as a girl (Brenda) in an experiment to prove nurture over nature. It failed—Brenda rejected the female identity, showing the strength of biological factors (nature).