Starter Answer the following exam questions on the handout on the idiographic vs. nomothetic approach.

Starter Answer the following exam questions on the handout on the idiographic vs. nomothetic approach

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.

Lesson Objectives To understand (describe), apply (give examples of) and evaluate (discuss) the Nature – Nurture debate.

So, what is nature? What is Nurture?
What is the debate? How far human behaviour is the product of… Nature or Nurture So, what is nature? What is Nurture? The possibility that behaviour is governed by nature (genes etc) and by nurture (eg environment, experiences etc) and the relative contribution of each of these influences.

Nature: A01 Nativists such as Descartes
Behaviour is caused by innate characteristics: The physiological/biological characteristics we are born with. Behaviour is therefore determined by biology. Determinist view- suggests all behaviour is determined by hereditary factors: Inherited characteristics, or genetic make-up we are born with. The nature side of the debate suggests behaviour is cause by characteristics we are born with- the innate characterisitcs, which are usually physiological or biological. People behave the way they do because they are animals who act in accordance with their animal instincts (innate characteristics) and are determined by their biology. These characteristics are inherited from our ancestors, and form our genetic makeup

Nature: A01 All possible behaviours are said to be present from conception. Genes provide the blueprint for all behaviours; some present from birth, others pre-programmed to emerge with age. Is a developmental approach: E.g. Piaget: children’s thought processes change at predetermined age-related stages changes in age are related to changes in behaviour. The nature argument suggests that our genes pre-programmed all our behaviours. All possible behaviours are present from conception however whilst some are expressed from birth others are pre-programmed to emerge as we mature. The nature side of the debate is therefore a developmental approach, behaviour change is caused by age and maturation.

Nurture: A01 Empiricists such as Locke
An individuals behaviour is determined by the environment- the things people teach them, the things they observe, and because of the different situations they are in. Also a determinist view- proposes all human behaviour is the result of interactions with the environment. On the other hand, the nature side of the debate suggests that people behave the way they do because they are determined by the things other people teach them, the things they observe, and because of the different situations they are in. Like the nature side, the nurture side is also a determinist view as it proposes all human behaviour is the result of interactions with the environment.

Nurture: A01 Behaviourist theories are nurture theories:
- Behaviour is shaped by interactions with the environment. Born an empty vessel- waiting to be filled up by experiences gained from environmental interaction. No limit to what they can achieve: -Depends on quality of external influences and NOT genes. The quality of the environment is KEY: -You can become anything provided the environment is right.

Which one is nature and which one is nurture?
Ring any bells? (A01) Nativist – some aspects of human behaviour/abilities are innate and hereditary. Rene Descartes John Locke Empiricist – knowledge derives from learning: we are born as a slate at birth – experience dictates who we are and our behaviour. Nature: assumes heredity is more important Nurture: assumes environment and experience are the most important Which one is nature and which one is nurture?

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.

Now for some Synoptic Links…
Nature Nurture 1) Place each of the approaches on your continuum and justify their positions. 2) Now think of research from both first and second year that you can use that supports the nature, nurture and interactionist approach.

Nature A key way to support the nature argument is by using twin studies. Monozygotic twins (MZ) are genetically identical and Dizygotic twins (DZ) only share approximately 50% of their genes. The heritability coefficient is used to assess heredity. It is a numerical figure ranging from 0 to 1.0 which indicates the extent to which a characteristic has a genetic basis (with a value of 1 meaning it is entirely genetically determined). The general figure for heritability (MZ twins) in IQ is around 0.5 across multiple studies in varying populations. This is higher than in DZ twins and suggests that genetics and the environment are important factors in intelligence. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS RESULT?

Nurture Learning theories support this nurture side of the debate, believing that we learn through association and our behaviours are a response to environmental stimulus. Our behaviour is therefore determined by our environment. For example? What is the problem with this nurture debate?

The interactionist approach:
The nature and nurture positions are too extreme. Can we isolate or genes from our environment and vice versa? The interactionist approach suggests that both are involved in shaping behaviour For example, attachment – we know how attachment pattern between an infant and its parents are often the result of a ‘two-way street’, in which the child’s innate temperament will influence the way its parents responds to it- and their responses will in turn affect the child’s behaviour. Therefore meaning that nature in a real sense creates the nurture as the environment and heredity interact. (passive influence/ active influence)

Nature Nurture Interaction
Behaviour is often a result of the interaction between nature AND nurture ---- The Interactionist approach An individuals characteristics may elicit particular responses in other people e.g. Temprament: how active, responsive or emotional an infant is influences in part determines their caregivers responses. Gender: people tend to react differently to boys and girls due to expectations of masculine and feminine characteristics. Aggression: Displaying aggressive behaviour create particular responses from other people. It is more often accepted that behaviour is a result of the interaction between nature and nurture, or biology and the environment. One view is that people may construct or contribute to their own environments. For example, an individual’s characteristics (which may be innate) such as temperament, gender, or level of aggression, may ellicit particular responses from other people, which may in turn influence the individual’s behaviour. Others take a view which states that an individuals genes are seen as setting upper and lower limits for their potential behaviour. Where within these limits an individual’s behaviour falls may be determined by the environment.

Interactionist approach
The idea that nature and nurture are linked to such an extent that it does not make sense to separate the two, so researchers instead study how they interact and influence each other. Reactive Influence A parent may react more positively to a child who is easy going and happy than a moody and demanding child. The home environment is a reaction to the predisposition of the child. Passive influence Sporty parents may provide an environment that is very sporty for their children. The environment is linked to the parent’s genetic makeup and passively transmitted to their children through their environment. For example, parents with a genetically determined mental illness may create an unsettled home environment and therefore the child’s mental disorder could be the result of indirect influences. Active Influence A sociable child is more likely to seek out friends who are similar and engage with different people than a shy child. The genetic make-up of a child seeks to develop in an environment that is similar to their predisposed characteristics.

Diathesis Stress model
Evidence…. Diathesis Stress model This model emphasises the interaction between nature and nurture and tends to be the most persuasive when it comes to explaining behaviour. Epigenetics This refers to a change in our genetic activity without changing our genetic code. It is a process which happens throughout life and is caused by interaction with the environment. For example, diet.

Task You have been given research that you should be familiar with from AS and A2 Your task is to decide whether the research is supporting…. Nature Nurture Interactionist approach Justify your answer

NATURE V NURTURE Debate and links to research
For example, the concordance rate for a mental disorder such as SZ is about 40% for MZ twins and 7% for DZ twins. This shows that nature is a major contribution to the disorder. For example, Bowlby proposed that attachment was adaptive because it meant an infant was more likely to be protected and therefore more likely to survive. Attachment behaviours are therefore naturally selected.

NATURE V NURTURE Debate and links to research
For example, behaviourists suggested that attachment could be explained in terms of classical conditioning (food is the mother who feeds the baby) or operant conditioning (food reduces the discomfort of hunger and is therefore rewarding) For example, Bandura acknowledged the urge to behave aggressively might be biological, but the important point was that the way a person learns to express anger is acquired through environmental influences (direct & indirect reinforcement).

Attachment Attachment patterns between caregiver and infant are often the result of a two-way process The child’s innate temperament will influence the way its parents respond to it. Their response will in turn affect the child’s behaviour. Behaviour Nature Nurturee

Research Example B Maguire et al. (2000)- Taxi driver study
Structural MRI scans of the brains of licensed London taxi drivers were compared with controls who did not drive taxis. Hippocampal volume correlated with the amount of time spent as a taxi driver It appears the brain has the capacity for plasticity (the ability to change)- the structure of the brain can alter in response to environmental demands.

Genes may have an indirect effect on environment
Rutter & Rutter described how aggressive children think and behave in ways that lead other children to respond to them in a hostile way. This then reinforces the antisocial child’s view of the world. Aggressive children tend to experience aggressive environments. What does this show? Genes may have an indirect effect on environment

Diathesis stress model suggests that psychopathology is caused by a biological vulnerability (diathesis) which is only expressed when couple with a biological or environmental trigger (the stressor). Tienari found that in a group of adoptees those most likely to develop SZ had biological relatives with a history of the disorder (diathesis) and relationships with their adoptive families that were dysfunctional (the stress/trigger)

Environment changing our genetic activity in future generations!
Epigenetics refers to a change in our genetic activity without changing our genetic code. It is a process that happens throughout life and is caused by interaction with the environment. Aspects of our lifestyle, and the events we encounter- from smoking and diet to pollution and war- leave epigenetic ‘marks’ on our DNA. These marks-like highlighted text, or bookmarks- tell our bodies which genes to ignore and which to use, and in turn, may go on and influence the genetic codes of our children, as well as their children.

Epigenetics….strong support for an interactionist approach
Epigenetics suggests the choices we make now could influence our grandchildren. Ressler (2014) gave male lab mice electric shocks every time they were exposed to a chemical used in perfume. As any behaviourist would predict, the mice quickly learnt to show fear as soon as the scent was presented. Surprisingly the rats’ children also showed fear of the smell even though they had never been exposed to it and so did their grandchildren.

Evaluation: Nature vs. Nurture

AO3 Evaluation Nature-Nurture
Nativists and the idea that our destiny is entirely controlled by our genes is very deterministic… Equally as controversially, behaviourists believe that our behaviour can be entirely shaped by nurture… Nevertheless 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.

The nature- nurture debate is reductionist and deterministic
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. It is difficult to separate nature and nurture as one influences the other. For example, there is an inherited disorder known as Phenylketonuria which causes brain damage as a baby. However, if the condition is detected at birth, an infant can be given a restricted diet which prevents brain damage. If we can achieve this through environmental changes, is this condition a result of (nature or nurture)?

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?

Summary Nature: behaviour is caused by characteristics we are born with e.g. genetic, physiological. Nurture: behaviour is shaped through interactions with the environment. Research supporting nature: language development, IQ scores, predisposition to schizophrenia etc. Research supporting nurture: fear acquisition, effect of the environment on behaviour.

Summary cont... Nature-nurture interaction: Temperament and gender can influence other peoples behaviour. Exposure to certain environmental stimuli can alter physiology e.g. Brain structure, neurochemicals. Applications: Development of drug therapies, adapt environments to increase helping behaviour, enhance learning etc. Link to other debates: Determinism Complete handout

Plan… how would you answer the following question?
Discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology. Refer to at least two topics you have studied in your answer. (16 marks) Plan… how would you answer the following question?

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 and Zimbardo Address the relationship – interactionism between the two Link this to 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

Nature-Nurture Debate
The idea that nature and nurture are linked to such an extent that it does not make sense to separate the two, so researchers instead study how they interact and influence each other. Innate Characteri stics Behaviour is a product of environmental influences. Nurture A parent may react more positively to a child who is easy going and happy than a moody and demanding child. The home environment is a reaction to the predisposition of the child. Acquired Characteri stics Characteristics we are born with. Interactio nist approach Traits we acquire or pick up from our environment through life. Reactive Influence Sporty parents may provide an environment that is very sporty for their children. The environment is linked to the parent’s genetic makeup and passively transmitted to their children through their environment. Passive influence Behaviour is seen to be a product of innate (biological or genetic) factors.

Nature-Nurture Debate Diathesis Stress model This refers to a change in our genetic activity without changing our genetic code. It is a process which happens throughout life and is caused by interaction with the environment. For example, smoking and diet. Active Influence This model emphasises the interaction between nature and nurture and tends to be the most persuasive when it comes to explaining behaviour. Epigenetics A sociable child is more likely to seek out friends who are similar and engage with different people than a shy child. The genetic make-up of a child seeks to develop in an environment that is similar to their predisposed characteristics.

Nature-Nurture Debate
Behaviour is seen to be a product of innate (biological or genetic) factors. Innate Characteri stics Characteristics we are born with. Nurture Behaviour is a product of environmental influences. Acquired Characteri stics Traits we acquire or pick up from our environment through life. The idea that nature and nurture are linked to such an extent that it does not make sense to separate the two, so researchers instead study how they interact and influence each other. Interactio nist approach Reactive Influence A parent may react more positively to a child who is easy going and happy than a moody and demanding child. The home environment is a reaction to the predisposition of the child. Passive influence Sporty parents may provide an environment that is very sporty for their children. The environment is linked to the parent’s genetic makeup and passively transmitted to their children through their environment.

Nature-Nurture Debate Diathesis Stress model This model emphasises the interaction between nature and nurture and tends to be the most persuasive when it comes to explaining behaviour. Active Influence A sociable child is more likely to seek out friends who are similar and engage with different people than a shy child. The genetic make-up of a child seeks to develop in an environment that is similar to their predisposed characteristics. Epigenetics This refers to a change in our genetic activity without changing our genetic code. It is a process which happens throughout life and is caused by interaction with the environment. For example, diet.

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

Plenary: Modal essay Fill in the gaps to complete the modal essay on the nature vs. nurture debate

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Starter Answer the following exam questions on the handout on the idiographic vs. nomothetic approach.

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