psychology essay homework help

psychology essay homework help

The Impact of Nature vs. Nurture on Human Behavior

1. Introduction

The nature versus nurture debate is one of the most convoluted in the field of psychology. In the 17th century, a French philosopher, René Descartes posited that “we all, as individual human beings, have certain innate ideas that enduringly underpin our approach to the world.” He believed that our minds are built to allow us to learn things, and that humans have certain inborn traits that stimulate learning and that all human development is defined by inbuilt biological maturation, meaning that the environment does not play a part. On the other hand, empiricists suggest that the mind is a blank slate at birth and is subsequently formed and shaped by experience. Also, our behavior is a result of a sequence of predetermined gene activations. Today, psychologists break down the debate into three levels of analysis. First, behavior is seen as the end product of an individual’s attempt to adapt to the demands of the environment. At this first ‘environmental’ level of analysis, the most significant feature of the individual’s environment is the life experiences that all humans share, which are presumed to be universal. Second, behavior is seen as the result of the interaction of the individual and the environment. But then, the focus of analysis shifts from the ‘objective’ environment to the way that environment is subjectively perceived by the individual. At the third ‘behavioral genetics’ level of analysis, it is recognized that genetics matters because the genes channel the course of development. On the other hand, it is also recognized that genes do not completely determine the development of an individual because the relationship between genotype and phenotype is not a straightforward one. Parents do have an influence, but is it the key factor in determining who we are? The importance of the environment in personality is a significant issue. The more relevant we become to the people around us, the more potential there is for social environment to help shape our personality. Therefore, in the complex interplay of nature, nurture, and life, it can only be said that genes will lay down the foundations, but the environment and the people around us will determine how we will develop further and which characteristic will appear.

2. Nature vs. Nurture: Understanding the Debate

At the 17th century, ‘Nature’ came to be an explanation for human behavior. It was a simpler approach of the two main assumptions – that the characteristics of a person is natural and they cannot be altered, and nurturing is not really important. On the other hand, ‘Nurture’ is the argument that most of our behavior is as a result of environmental impact. It depicts the way we are looked after as a child, for example by our parents, by those who influence us and by the things we are given – experiences. These two words which classify regular human tendencies, are used constantly on the rationalization of human behavior and there are many, who have unreasonably and fiercely argue over which aspect is the most vital impact on behavior. According to John Watson, one of the main psychologists in 1920, the mechanism of ‘Nurture’ is the main influence on behavior. He trustworthy that children are born with empty brains, therefore the environment in which they are growing up in, will have drastic influence on the way they will end up. ‘Nurture’ is very central in ahead to become a good person said Watson. He also linked this in with the way in which children should be raised. He trusted that every child should be raised by a regime that would confirm each one would become a good and happy adult. Then, however, ‘Nature’ took its place once researchers found that genes have different level in attractive a child to be who they are. Since the discoveries by the Human Genome Project, headed by Dr Craig Venter in June 26, 2000, millions or even tons of billions of gene samples have been identify. Hence, researchers have exposed that about 40% of gene samples were influenced by each other in some shape or form that led the body to develop its own defensive (immune) system. Also, about 65% of gene samples have shown that they were caused by pointless of another genie’s make up, therefore it led them to inflexible genetic weights to keep away from any allocation and produce new cells for change. These discoveries have led to the acceptance that ‘Nature’ does obviously plays a key role in human behavior. Albeit P.

3. The Influence of Genetics on Behavior

The massive discoveries in the field of genetics have had a great impact in answering the critical question, whether genetics can determine or shape behaviour. According to Dr. David Huphman, a behavioural geneticist, “genetics has the potential to influence the way we behave and that is why we see a family where children behave in a certain way similar to their parents”. So scientists have been interested in trying to find specific genes that may determine certain behavioural traits. They carry out their investigations using a number of scientific methods. For example, twin studies have been vital in determining the role of genetics in behaviour. Twin studies involve comparing the shared behaviour of identical twins, who have an identical genetic make-up, with the behaviour of non-identical twins who only share about half of the same genes. If genes have an influence over behaviour, then the shared behaviour between identical twins should be significantly higher when compared to non-identical twins. This is exactly what researchers have found in hundreds of twin studies that have investigated a whole range of different behaviours, ranging from rates of anxiety, depression, and intelligence. Similarly, the fact that we inherit our genes from our parents make it almost impossible to hold the idea that the environment has a bigger influence on our behaviour. Families provide shared environment and if genes have an impact on behaviour, then siblings should also show similar behavior as their parents. However, adopting parents experience a total different contradiction. Some argue that genes have an influence on their adopted children’s behaviour while others believe it is their way of upbringing that has a major impact. By testing for genes at specific chromosomes and showing that the test result has a 99% match for inherited gene for aggression in the adopted child, scientists have dramatically demonstrated that genetics can define behaviour. Today, as technology in genetics continues to grow with an avalanche of genetic information made available from genome projects, great progress will be made in identifying specific genes that may influence behaviour. However, the study of genetics and behaviour is not without its problems. It is very dangerous to narrow down complex behaviour to simple genetically inherited factors. Scientists have made tremendous advances in unravelling the genetic processes underlying the development of the brain and thus complex behaviour. However, little is known about the way that genes can interact with each other and the environment to produce particular behavioural traits. This limits the success of reductionist biological treatments for complex conditions like depression, which assume that abnormal behaviour will have a single gene explanation. Also, genetics is concerned with probability only. It may well be the case that there are genes associated with an increased risk of somebody developing a particular behavioural disorder, but showing a cause-effect relationship has yet to be confirmed in complex behaviours. Finally, ethical issues surrounding genetics research like genetic testing and its potential for misuse requires carefully negotiated regulations, in order to protect the individual’s sense of privacy and autonomy. All the same, we should celebrate the advance in our understanding of the complex interaction between our genetic make-up and the environment. But that should never make us feel that the debate on the importance of nature and nurture in shaping behavior is anywhere near being resolved. The truth is more fascinating: in almost all behaviour, nature and nurture are constantly interacting, each constantly shaping the other. Emerging field like epigenetics which explores the interaction between genes and the environment opens up even more exciting possibilities for increased understanding of humanity.

4. The Role of Environment in Shaping Behavior

Furthermore, human behavior is plentiful of such genetic psychology examples in which provide quite logical arguments. For instance, research and experiments with animals such as budgerigars and humans such as cardiac illness has shown that continuous aggression to another individual or loneliness can result in more serious health implications, i.e. high blood pressure and the constriction of blood vessels. Also, a study in Uganda concerning adolescents has presented evidence that a low self esteem caused by dysfunctional parenting methods, such as the absence of a father, has resulted in mental health issues in later adulthood. All of these factors work together as a dynamic and continuous process of cause and effect, with nature and the environment not providing a clear decisive influence on human behavior.

On the other hand, some people look away from this theory that environmental factors are a major influence on human behavior and that one’s genetic make up is the major influencer. This view is known as the ‘nature theory’. This theory can be supported by genetic psychology, that behavior is and will be governed by the genetic make up of an individual and is passed down from generation to generation. For example in the study of families with twins or children of parental abusive methods, strong evidence from genetic psychology has served to promote this theory as well as showing that physical cellular damage may be inflicted by the action of others rather than the caused mental stress from the environment.

In behavioral psychology, the environmental factors are held as the major influence a person’s development and how that person’s behavior is governed, with the main criticism of genetic psychology being that it does not account for the complexity of human behavior. However, the theory that our behavior is shaped by our environment is a limited one, as the contributory factors of other influences such as society, culture and morals can also govern our behavior. These influences are in fact vastly important when considering human behavior. For example, if the initial environment of which a person is in may have a violent outlook on life and endorse the idea that aggression and violence will get you through well in life, it is likely that that person will follow this pattern of behavior. He may view violent behavior as acceptable and normal, and due to the environment that he is placed in he is rewarded with a good lifestyle.

Certainly, environmental factors can significantly influence human behavior. The first kind of environmental influence is known as the ‘immediate environment’, that is the environment that we are currently experiencing. This can be a condition such as being in a good or a bad mood, or a situation such as having aggressive feelings that have built up. All of these feelings from the immediate environment will influence our behavior. This has been explored by Sigmund Freud in the psychoanalytic perspective on human behavior. He suggested that all behavior is a result of the way we are being brought up, and that behavior and personality trait formation is influenced by how successful we are in a sick individual’s psychosocial development. In his view, certain experiences in our childhood and later on in adult life can have a lasting impact on our behavior.

5. Conclusion: Embracing the Interplay of Nature and Nurture

At the end of the day, people need to realize that it is a combination of both that makes us who we are. We are able to make our own choices in life, and we have the freedom to choose the paths that will best shape our future. Whether it is the time of day that we get the most work done, or the type of lifestyle we want to live, everyone has at least some say in what they feel is right for them. By understanding where we come from and why we are the way we are, we can be richer for it. If we do not embrace the good and bad of both sides of this debate, then people will just keep running into walls that many others have realized are there. It is only when we all work together to better understand ourselves and give credit to the many things that shape us, it is only then that we as a people can begin to move forward.

When it comes to the nature side of the debate, one has to wonder about the people whose genes have been altered in the past. For example, a baby who has grown up with an orange is going to think that the color of that orange is orange and that is the name of the color as well. But, when that baby grows up and learns that actually that color is yellow and the name of the color is actually lemon-lime, that baby’s whole perception is going to change. If the nature side of the debate were proven correct, then it is a very big possibility that the baby is not going to change the way that it thinks about what the color and the name of the color is. However, if the nurture side of the debate is correct, then the baby is going to accept the new information and most likely conform to it. This is known as brain plasticity, which is the ability of the brain to modify itself due to stimuli from the environment.

When it comes to the nature vs. nurture debate, I have always been on the nurture side. For one, I have never gone to school. I was homeschooled and I have always felt that my parents did a fantastic job. I was able to do a lot of things that I wanted to and I was never forced to do anything. For example, I was never forced to take a nap and when I was young, I was never forced to do anything that I did not want to do. I was always able to make choices, which I feel has helped to shape the person that I am today. I still value choice and I feel that it is a very important part of my everyday life. The evidence provided in this paper should help everyone to realize that there is more to a person than just their genes.