Discuss the nature- nurture debate in psychology. Refer to at least two topics you have studied in your answer. (16 marks. This is essentially a full 16-mark question which is all you need for the exam, you can also use it to answer all 4,6,8, 12 mark questions in the exam all you have to do is bre...
Discuss the nature- nurture debate in psychology. Refer to at least two topics
you have studied in your answer. (16 marks)
The nature vs nurture debate is one of the most famous debates in psychology it about the
extent to which our behaviour is because of nature and the extent to which it is nurture.
The nurture sides suggest that our behaviour is the product of environmental influences
which are caused by interactions with the environment. The environment is everything
outside of the body and empiricists (Locke) argue the mind is a blank slate at birth and is
filled as result of experience (behaviourist approach). For example, Behavioural psychologist
suggest that attachment behaviour can be explained due to classical conditioning.
Whereas nature is the view that behaviour and characteristics are the product of innate
biological or genetic factors that are acquired through being passed down biologically. For
example, Bowlby proposed that children come into the world biologically programmed to
form attachments as it will help them survive. This implies attachment behaviours are
naturally selected and passed down as result of inheritance (heredity). The behaviour which
is passed down is attachment and the cause of this behaviour is innate biological factors
that have been passed down due to evolution to ensure survival.
Whereas the interactionist approach is the view both nature and nurture work together to
shape behaviour. For example, the diathesis stress model suggests mental disorder is
caused by biological vulnerability which is expressed when coupled with an environmental
trigger. (stressor)
A strength of understanding interaction may have real world implications. This is as extreme
beliefs in the influence of nature and nurture may have negative implication to how we view
human behaviour. For example, empiricism suggests that any behaviour can be changed by
environmental conditions and this has led to behaviour shaping therapies such has CBT,
which has practical application in therapy as desirable behaviour are reinforced and
undesirable behaviour are punished. Whereas nativists suggest genes determine behaviour
‘anatomy is destiny’ and this has led to controversy linking race to intelligence as Shockley
1952 claimed there may be genetic reasons to why black people tend to score lower IQ tests
than white people. Thus, by recognising that human behaviour is both nature and nurture is
a more reasonable way to approach the study and ‘management’ of human behaviour.
A strength of interactionist approach is there is growing research to support it and this
research shows the nature-nurture distinction has become meaningless. Research
examining neural capacity in biopsychology suggests life experiences (nurture) shape our
biology (nature). For example, Maguire et al found the posterior hippocampus volume of
London taxi drivers correlated positively with their experience as driver and there was
difference when compared to the control group. Therefore, Maguire concluded that regular
exposure to certain task, driving a taxi (nurture) can have an effect on brain structure, effect
size of hippocampus (nature), thus demonstrating importance of interactionist approach
and presenting evidence nurture can affect nature.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Zedzpsychology. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £4.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
