1. Debates in Developmental Psychology
Nature v Nurture
Continuity v Discontinuity
Nomothetic v Idiographic

2. Debates in Developmental Psychology
Developmental Psychology means how people develop mentally.
People disagree about the way we mentally develop, so there are debates within developmental psychology.

3. Nature v Nurture Nature refers to genetic inheritance.
The Nature debate says that we develop according to our genes.
This includes the way we look, our skills, intelligence and personalities.
Which psychological perspective does this remind you of?
The nature debate says this girl’s attitude is determined by genetic factors. Do you agree?

4. Nature v Nurture Nurture refers to the influences around us.
It encompasses ALL the influences on us as we grow and develop, eg parenting, media, teachers, friends etc
This is called Socialisation; it means that we become what is socially around us.
The Nurture debate says this boy’s attitude is determined by social factors. What do you think?

5. Nature v Nurture Are we influenced by our genes or by our environment?
List three things about you which you think are from your genetic inheritance and three things which you think are a result of your nurturing.

6. Nature v Nurture – Thomas Bouchard & the Minnesota Twin Study 1979
In 1979 Bouchard met twins who had been separated at birth and reunited when they were 39.
He found similarities which he attributed to genetic inheritance including intelligence, shyness, extroversion, dedication to hard work and conformity.
Do the twins dress the same out of social expectation? Are twins encouraged to dress the same for effect?
Do you think these twins dress the same because of nature or nurture?

7. Nature v Nurture – Thomas Bouchard & the Minnesota Twin Study 1979
The Minnesota study has been criticised by some for faulty research methods. Eg some of the twins were not totally separated but grew up as neighbours, so they could have had common nurturing
Intelligence is now known to be increasing rapidly, far more quickly than can be explained by genetic factors, this is called the Flynn effect.

8. Nature v Nurture Aggression
What causes us to be aggressive?
What causes some people to act on their aggression and become violent?
Is it inherent within us, or do we learn the behaviour from the environment around us?
Are boys more aggressive than girls?
Is this due to our genes or socialisation?
What causes this man to have road rage?