Nature vs. Nurture

Specification Specification link: This workbook will cover the following topics from the specification. Gender and culture in psychology – universality and bias. Gender bias including androcentrism and alpha and beta bias; culture bias, including ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.   Free will and determinism: hard determinism and soft determinism; biological, environmental and psychic determinism. The scientific emphasis on causal explanations. The nature-nurture debate: the relative importance of heredity and environment in determining behaviour; the interactionist approach. Holism and reductionism: levels of explanation in psychology. Biological reductionism and environmental (stimulus-response) reductionism. Idiographic and nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation. Ethical implications of research studies and theory, including reference to social sensitivity.

Which one is nature and which one is nurture? Ring any bells? Nativist (1956-1650) – some aspects of human behaviour are innate and hereditary. Rene Descartes John Locke Empiricist, (1632-1704) – we are born as a slate at birth – experience dictates who we are and our behaviour. Which one is nature and which one is nurture?

key words Nature: Inherited, innate factors (genetic). A biological approach. Nurture: The environment, e.g. learning, socialisation and experience. A behaviourist approach; we are a ‘blank slate’ at birth. Interactionism: Heredity (nature) and the environment (nurture) have an influence on each other (constructivism approach). Diathesis-stress model: An interactionist approach. Genes create a vulnerability and stressors in the environment trigger behaviours. Epigenetics: A change in our genetic activity without changing our genetic code, e.g. smoking.

Summarise the approaches Which approach is nature and which is nurture. Explain why Biological Social learning theory Cognitive Humanistic Behaviourist psychodynamic For example: Biological approach: Nature. The biological approach argues that behaviour is determined by biological factors such as: genes, neurotransmitters, hormones and brain structures.

Behaviourist approach Behaviourist approach. Nurture: The behaviourist approach argues that human beings are born as a tabula rasa (blank slate) and behaviour is learned. SLT. Nurture: SLT suggests that behaviour is learnt via vicarious reinforcement and doesn’t take into account biological factors. Cognitive. Nature & Nurture: The cognitive approach suggests that information processing is modified as a result of experience. Psychodynamic. Nature & Nature: The psychodynamic approach suggests that behaviour is caused by innate drives (e.g. ID), although early childhood experiences also shape our behaviour. Humanistic. Nature and Nurture: The humanist approaches argues that humans have an innate drive to self-actualise, however the environment and our experiences shape this journey.

Nature vs. nurture Task: Read the examples of research and decide which side of the nature/nurture debate they fall on (nature/nurture or interactionist). Once decided, cut out the research and stick on to the nature/nurture continuum. If finished complete the extension activity Nature Interactionist Nurture Nurture 8. Nature 9. Nurture 10. Nurture 11. Nature 12. Interactionist

Epigenetics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp1bZEUgqVI&list=PLwjhcxrrVOk8gy5RMMtjAzC2IBdeZeerc

Key points Nativists argue that our destiny is entirely controlled by our genes is very deterministic. Empiricists believe that our behaviour can be entirely shaped by nurture… Nevertheless Empiricists such as behaviourism has contributed some practical applications to society including therapies such as token economy. While Psychologists seek to support the nature side of the debate with twin studies, these studies often ignore the effects of shared environments. Plomin (1994), it is impossible to try to separate nature and nurture influences on children’s behaviour. A constructivist approach should be adopted instead. Scarr & McCartney argue that environment and genetics interact in multiple ways and have proposed three different types of interaction, passive, reactive and active.

Evaluation: NVN The nature- nurture debate is reductionist and deterministic. For example, the nature side of the debate suggests we are predetermined to develop behaviours from birth and ignores free will. It does not account for the environment in its explanation. This therefore makes it reductionist. Equally the nurture debate is reductionist as it suggests all behaviours displayed are as a result of the environment therefore ignoring nature/genetics.

There are practical applications for the nature side of the debate. For example, drug therapies can be developed to treat behavioural or psychological problems that have a physiological origin. E.g. SSRI’s can be used to treat depression, Ritalin- ADHD. There are practical applications for the nurture side of the debate. For example, If behaviour is susceptible to environmental influences we need to consider how we adapt our environment. E.g. How can we plan interventions for criminal behaviour and reduce aggression?

Evaluation The nature–nurture could be seen as less determinist because it takes an interactionist position suggesting that both forces influence behaviour, as opposed to behaviour being caused by a single factor or force. Constructivism is the notion that genes and environment interact. People create their own ‘nurture’ by actively selecting environments that are appropriate for their ‘nature’. Reciprocal determinism is the idea that the environment and a person’s behaviour influence each other. Basically, they both suggest that both nature and nurture are important influences on behaviour.

Exam practice Describe and evaluate the nature–nurture debate in psychology. (16 marks) Task: Fill in the gaps to finish off a level 4 (13-16 mark) essay

Discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology Discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology. Refer to at least two topics you have studied in your answer. (16 marks)

Link this to biology – twins and attachment Discuss - Present key points about different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea, in this case is it nature or nurture ? You must address the key issue of the relationship between heredity and environment Address the Nature debate –assume that heredity is most important - behaviour, knowledge is innate. Link this to biology – twins and attachment Discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology. Refer to at least two topics you have studied in your answer. (16 marks) Address the Nurture debate - assume that environment is most important - we are born blank slates. Link this to behaviourism Address the relationship – interactionism between the two Link this to herediability co-efficient, diathesis stress model and MacGuire study Discussion – what about the nature/nurture debate? it’s dangerous if we go to either extremes We can’t separate them – isn’t the debate pointless? Nature affects nurture Epigentics indicates that interactionism is more likely Scaffolded answer

Address the Nature debate – nativists assume that heredity is most important - behaviour, knowledge is innate. You don’t have to explicitly link to another topic here –use one though to illustrate the debate – this stays AO1 Still a discuss – the quote at the beginning leads you to the nature/nurture/interaction debate - this is a much more explicit indication of the issue of the relationship between heredity and environment ‘Nature and nurture interact; both are vital to understanding and explaining human behaviour.’ Referring to this statement, discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology. (Total 16 marks) Address the Nurture debate – empiricists assume that environment is most important - we are born blank slates. You don’t have to explicitly link to another topic here –use one though to illustrate the debate – this stays AO1 Address the relationship – interactionism between the two, this is integral to the question – bring in MacGuire Discussion – what about the nature/nurture debate? it’s dangerous if we go to either extremes We can’t separate them – isn’t the debate pointless? Nature affects nurture Epigentics indicates that interactionism is more likely

Lesson= READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This question has less focus on bringing in other topics – if you leave topics out of this question you can still access level 4 If you fail to bring in topics in the first question you limit yourself to level 2!! However arguably you cannot fully explain nature/nurture debate to an “accurate and well detailed” level without using the other topics to illustrate – you need less though than you would for the 1st Lesson= READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exam practice Nature and nurture interact; both are vital to understanding and explaining human behaviour.’ Referring to this statement, discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology. (Total 16 marks)