4.2 M1, D1 Chloe Williams
Nature V Nurture
The nature vs. nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about
whether human culture, behaviour and personality are caused primarily by nature or,
nurture. Nature is often defined in this debate as genetic or hormone-based behaviours,
while nurture is most commonly defined as environment and experience. The modern
debate often centres around the effect genes have on human personalities as opposed to
the influences that early environment and development has. Books authored by scientists in
these fields are extremely popular. However, critics still emphasise the important role of
early childhood environment, development, and cultural influences, and many have argued
that socio-biology and evolutionary psychology are deterministic pseudo sciences.
Nature
It is known that physical characteristics are biologically determined by genetic inheritance,
such as the eye, hair and skin colour. Along with these aspects of the genes that we inherit,
diseases such as coeliac and Huntingdon’s disease can be inherited too. Nature has also
been proven to be an important factor in the development of some mental health
conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and major depression; the development of
mental illness is not entirely genetic. For example, with identical twins, if one develops
schizophrenia, the other twin had only a 50% chance of also developing the condition.
In addition, researchers have placed more emphasis on nature than on nurture for
addictions. This is because studies of alcohol addiction show that it can recur in families and,
certain genes may have an influence over the way alcohol tastes and the way it affects the
body. Nativists believe that the influences on the development of a child are genetically
inherited, stating that the earlier an ability occurs, the more likely it is that the ability has
been genetically inherited.
In terms of Muhammad Ali, he inherited the physical characteristic of his black skin tone
from his mothers’ and fathers’ genes; showing his biological genetic inheritance. Regarding
his physical development, Muhammad Ali may develop or, in ways, act the same way as his
mother or father did. Ali may pick up bad habits whilst being with them, without knowing
not to imitate. For example, if he saw his dad biting his nails, he may see it and take it as
nothing because he may see it every day; however, subconsciously, he could easily copy it
and within time, may start doing it as well.
With intellectual development, when Muhammad Ali was growing up, his father was a sign
painter and, he wanted Ali to take up the business himself. When growing up, though, there
will always be disagreements between parents and children – especially in terms of their
aspirations and career goals for the future. Muhammad Ali obviously did not want to