Nature vs Nurture, Individual vs Situational Flashcards
(15 cards)
Holzel (nature vs nurture)
Nature:
* results can be supported by biological factors such as changes in grey matter concentration in key brain regions such as the left hippocampus
Nurture:
* participants went through an MBSR training program in which they learnt to deal with stress in their lives, which in turn allowed them to improve their wellbeing
Holzel (individual vs situational)
Individual:
* participants were able to choose their own exercises within the training, and this would impact individuals differently, depending on the duration spent on particular exercises, as well as the regularity of its practice
Situational:
* it was the situation of participants receiving MBSR training that lead to an increase in grey matter concentration, which in turn, improved their wellbeing,
* whereas those in the control group, who had no such training, did not see any increase in grey matter concentration during the same period
Dement and Kleitman (nature vs nurture)
Nature:
* By measuring brain activity through the use of an EEG, and observing eye movement patters, we were able to determine which stage of sleep the individual is in, and also determine the link between eye movement patterns and dream content
Nurture:
* dreams people experience can differ due to nurture influences as our dreams can be based on our experiences in the real world
Dement and Kleitman (individual vs situational)
Fagen et al (nature vs nurture)
Nature: adult elephant failed to learn the trunk wash behaviour. Could be due to her age, trunk weakness, visual impairments
Nurture: elephants went through training process to learn how to complete a trunk wash via secondary positive reinforcement
Fagen et al (individual vs situational)
Individual: time taken for each elephant to learn each behaviour was different, due to learning abilities of each elephant. Adult elephant unable to learn full trunk wash probably due to age
Situational: elephants learned the trunk wash behaviour by being placed in situations involving SPR
Hassett et al. (nature vs nurture)
Nature: biological factors like hormone differences shape their preference for masc/fem toys, not socialisation
Nurture: positive correlation between social rank of monkeys and frequency/duration of activity of each toy type
Hassett et al. (individual vs situational)
Individual: reasons behind their toy preferences were because of their gender
Situational: none
Perry et al. (nature vs nurture)
Nature: oxytocin has a biological effect on the individual’s attention to social cues & preferences of interpersonal distance
Nurture: people’s preferences of being close w/ their friends and farther w/ strangers due to cues we learn from environment
* empathy levels can be influenced by individuals’ upbringing and social environment
Perry et al. (individual vs situational)
Individual: prefered interpersonal space depends on their level of empathy (high/low)
Situational: prefered interpersonal distance depends on the situation of who the individual is. Example: closer friend = prefered closer space. Authority figure = prefered farther space
Pozzulo et al. (individual vs situational)
Individual: some participants may be more familiar with the cartoon characters than others - explains differences in correct identification & rejection
SItuational: poorer performance by children compared to adults could be due to social factors: e.g. feeling pressured by researchers to falsely believe they have to make an identification even if target is absent
Saavedra and Silverman (nature vs nurture)
Nature: none
Nurture: phobias are learned, not inherited. He learned the phobia when he was 5, and through imagery exposure therapy, he learned to overcome it
Saavedra and Silverman (individual vs situational)
Individual: ratings the boy provided on the Feelings Thermometer were subjective & based on his opinions. These ratings could be influenced by personality factors, like his age
Situational:
* situation of having to physically handle the buttons in the positive reinforcement therapy led to his distress rating increasing.
* Situation of imagery exposure therapy reduced his distress rating
Define the nature vs nurture debate.
The extent to which human behaviour is a result of our innate traits or our environment.
Define the individual vs situational debate
Individual: behaviours from factors within the person (e.g. personality)
Situational: behaviour from factors in the external environment (e.g. home life)
