Nature Versus Nurture Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Nature Versus Nurture?
The debate of Nature versus Nurture has been a long-standing one, and for good reason. Nature and Nurture both contribute to how we as individuals develop, making it difficult to differentiate between the two influences. This essay will explore the impact of both Nature and Nurture on behaviour and development. Nature refers to the biological influences that shape us from before birth, including our genetic make-up, physical characteristics, temperament, personality traits and health status. These factors are believed to be largely predetermined at birth or even before conception through our parents’ genes. From this perspective, any fundamental changes in our behaviour or development would be due primarily to Nature rather than nurture. On the other hand, Nurture is thought to refer more so to external influences such as upbringing i.e family structure and dynamic; social environment; education; cultural values; societal norms etc., all of which can have an impact on individual development over time (especially during childhood). It is believed that these external experiences can shape us into who we eventually become by influencing beliefs, values and behaviour patterns we adopt later in life. In conclusion it is likely that both Nature and Nurture play a significant role in determining how we develop over time – with genetics providing an initial blueprint whilst environmental factors filling in the gaps over time – however research suggests that each individual responds differently depending on their own unique genetic composition as well as their particular set of environmental circumstances throughout life experience. Therefore it can be said that no single factor should be used alone when attempting to explain any individual’s personality or behaviour .