Nature vs Nurture - Week 5

The Nature vs. Nurture Debate has had psychologists, scientists, and the general public in dispute for years. This debate discusses wether specific characteristics and personality traits of people are acquired through nature or through nurture. In other words, does your specific personality develop through genetics or through learning. Nature is thought of a pre-wiring, destined, and is influenced by biological factors. Nurture is thought of as the product of exposure and experience. To begin, lets discuss nature. People who believe this point of view believe that characteristics which are not present at birth become present later in life due to maturation. They believe maturation governs not only puberty but also attachment as an infant, language acquisition, and cognitive development. On the other hand, those who believe in nurture believes that mind begins as a blank slate and is "filled" as a result of experiences. Nurture governs the psychological significant aspects of child development, while maturation only affects biological development.

Nature vs. Nurture remains a debate due to the studies expressing both nature and nurture as results. For example, take alcoholism or drug addiction. Studies show that addiction can reoccur in families and certain passed down genes can have an effect on how alcohol tastes or how the body adapts to it. However, studies also show that ingesting copious amounts of alcohol or drugs will likely lead to addiction as well. Therefore, studies show that character results due to both nature and nurture. Some traits, though, lean further to one belief than the other. Due to this, the debate Nature vs. Nurture continues to leave psychologists and scientists alike hunting for the correct answer.

Examples: 

1. High Blood Pressure and Obesity.
Nature advocates argue that genetics have a high impact on obesity and high blood pressure. Nurture proponents point to the poor eating habits that cause obesity and the limited ability to regulate personal habits that lead to high blood pressure.


Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJToniYy3Ew




2. Schizophrenia

Nurture advocates argues that studies prove if people have a single genetic risk factor alone or a traumatic environment in very early childhood alone, they may not develop mental disorders like schizophrenia. Nature advocates claim findings also suggest that someone who carries the genetic risk factor and experiences certain kinds of stress early in life are 80% more likely to develop the disease. Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJnlYcp-Qt4

3. Addictions

Nature advocates exclaim studies show that addiction can reoccur in families and certain passed down genes can have an effect on how alcohol tastes or how the body adapts to it. Nurture advocates state studies show that ingesting copious amounts of alcohol/drugs or using these cope with emotions to will likely lead to addiction as well. Video: http://www.bbc.com/news/health-16854593



4. Anger 
Nature advocates believes temperament is passed down. In addition, anger is the pre-wired way the brain reacts to stress. Whereas, nurture advocates believes people can be taught to be angry. Video: http://interventionsinc.com/2015/08/28/am207-1-anger-nature-vs-nurture/

5. Athletic Ability 
Nature advocates claim the genetic model argues that a predetermined set of genetic traits predicts athletic potential and success. Nurture advocates argue physiological adaptations, diet and nutrition, and socioeconomic factors are all worth equal consideration in the development of superior athletes.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC0USNlcRyA

My Refection:

I believe the self is a result of both nature and nurture. However, I also believe specific traits are in large due to one to the other. For example, I believe one's overall ability to be good in school subjects is due to nature. In addition, I believe one's interests in specific tv shows is due to nurture. Both nature and nurture play a large and important part in child development. I don't believe development could be complete without both playing roles.