The nature verses nurture conception is an ongoing dispute even to present day. Sir Frances Galton coined the phrase “nature verses nurture” in 1869. (Medicinenet Sect 2/6). The nature conception refers to genetics/hereditary influences and the nurture concept also refers to environmental influences (Belsky 12). Which one has the bigger influence on our behavior? What determines who we will become? Let’s attempt to place it in perspective.
As mentioned within the initial paragraph, nature refers to genetics or biology. So, does genetics influence development? Genetics/biology measure things like eye color, hair color and texture, skin color and genetic abnormalities. These abnormalities might embody Down’s syndrome, sickle cell, and lots of others. The nature theory takes things a step further by suggesting that abstract traits such as intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation can also be encoded in an individual’s DNA. (Powell)
Will this mean that we will inherit temperament traits or certain preferences? Well, maybe development is influenced by nurture instead, with nurture relating to our surroundings.
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Nurture refers to however we have the tendency to learn and the way we elect to live our lives. It should be determined by the homes and cities that we have the tendency to reside in. We are not born with these influences like we are in the nature conception, but at a later stage in life they may play a significant role in our development. With this in mind, let’s not forget that nurture does not only affect a person’s behavior but it can affect their personality as well. Individuals choose, modify and make environments related with their genetic disposition. This implies that what generally seems to be associative environmental influence (nurture) could be a genetic influence (nature). (McLeod). Fast-growing understanding of the human genome has made it clear that both sides of the debate have merit. Nature endows us with inborn abilities and traits. Nurture takes these genetic tendencies and molds them as we learn and mature. (Powell)
Let’s consider Twin studies and their relevance to the nature verses nurture concept. Several Twin studies have conjointly been done to undertake to answer this in process question. The Twin study is a behavioral genetic research strategy, designed to determine the genetic contribution to a given trait, that involves comparing adopted children with their biological and adoptive parents. (Belsky 17). Several of these studies have confirmed that each nature and nurture ideas play a role. Identical twins that have the precise genetic structure may even be influenced by nurture ideas as they age and separate from their twin. Once they separate, it should then permit them to possess totally different personalities as well as different life styles. The Twin studies were also used in the study on the effect of personality traits. Although these studies did prove that the twins showed a naturistic personality trait, it also showed that their personality traits can be modified and changed over time by learning. Thus, the nurture conception is also proven. So, here again it proves that nature and nurture work hand in hand.
When it comes down to me personally, I believe that both have played a role in my development. As a young child, the nature concept was more prevalent in my learning concepts. At the age of 12, things took a turn. I feel that things turned away from the nature concept and the nurture concept played the most vital role in my development. I was placed in an environment that was unfamiliar to me and I had to learn how to adapt to things quickly and efficiently. New sets of rules, and expectations and new “parents” forced me to change my current way of learning and thinking. To this day the environment continues to shape my development, for instance, job relocations, beginning college, and the city I choose to reside in. In conclusion my beliefs are that both nature and nurture concepts must exist during our developments to thrive in existence.
One of the main reasons the nature verses nurture concept continues to intrigue us so much is that we live in a time where genetics play a vital role in scientific discovery. New discoveries and new possibilities are proposed everyday.
References:
- Belsky, Janet., Experiencing the Lifespan (5ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. 2019.
- McLeod, S. A. “Nature vs nurture in psychology”. 20 Dec. 2018, Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html.
- “Nature vs. Nurture Theory Explained: Effects on Genes and Intelligence.” What is the nature vs. nurture? Who created the theory?. Retrieved from MedicineNet, https://www.medicinenet.com/nature_vs_nurture_theory_genes_or_environment/article.htm.
- Powell, Kimberly. “Nature Versus Nurture: How Are Our Personalities Formed?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 14 Aug. 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/nature-vs-nurture-1420577.
