Nature vs Nurture Introduction to the BIG Debate

What do we mean? Nature – define what you think you know Nurture – define what you think you know

Psychological Research Perception – two main theories –Gibson’s direct theory –Gregory’s constructivist theory

Intelligence Twins and adoption Gene mapping Nurture

Mental Illness and Nature Schizophrenia Biological parents

Nature Purely genetic? Bandura study – Aggression/ anti social behaviour EEA – Environment of Evolutionary Adaptiveness Theories and speculation!

Nurture Conditioning – Affected by innate factors. Mineka (et al) showed that monkeys more easily acquired a fear of snakes (ancient fear) than something like fear of a flower. Even the capacity to learn is innate?

Perception Gibson’s Theory Gregory’s View Blakemore and Cooper

Intelligence IQ test explained? Minimising and maximising Poor environmental factors? Turkheimer – gene factors or not?

Mental Illness Diathesis – stress model Nature and Nurture Adopted Children Tienari (et al)

Conclusion Overall both Nature and Nurture have an effect on all: Behaviours although for certain behaviours one factor MAY be more influential

Vocabulary Assumptions Theories Inferences Paradigm Innate Ambiguous Fragmentary Eugenics Derived