...What are your thoughts on the Nature vs. Nurture argument? One of the biggest debates that continue to remain unsolved is the Nature vs. Nurture argument. My opinion is that the answer is not definitely one or the other but a mixture of the two. This argument tries to establish the role of genes and the environment in human nature. In some situations it is obvious that genetics have a greater role in shaping a person. An example of that is a person that desires to drink alcohol. Some people would say that the feeling is pre-determined by their genetics, while some people would believe that outside sources such as manufacturers and peers have a greater influence. This debate turns out to be one that is hard to explain because there are many factors involved. Some people express concerns that could be applied scientifically, some have true legitimacy that may not be answerable, and some just do not make sense. To make things more complex with this debate, it seems that things are blended together and there is no distinctiveness to separate the roles. Another issue is that some of the uncertainty comes from the genetic language itself. It seems like we try to sort out the contributions from nature and nurture when in fact the distinction is between what is in born and what we receive after birth. It will always go back to genes and the environment which keeps the debate on going. It is obvious the truth lies within nature and nurture, but it has been difficult to determine...
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...Nature or Nurture? Personality is the particular combination of emotional, attitudinal, and behavioral response patterns of an individual. It is the sound total o the multi-dimensionality of an individual. It is the sounding of one’s upbringing as a person. Personality is the reflection of how we are cared by our family, friends, government, society, etc. There are two factors that affect personality. These are nature and nurture. Many of us would try to look deep into ourselves and try to answer these following questions. Which is the most significant, nature or nurture? Which of the two most change my personality as a whole? What am I really? Nature is the genetic or biological component of an individual. This means that a person’s nature comes from its predecessors and the attitudes comes from its parents. Genes play a greater role in determining key personality traits like social skills and learning ability than the way we are brought up by our parents. Genetics were most influential on people's sense of self-control and also affected their social and learning abilities and their sense of purpose. Nurture is the social and environmental factors that affect the individual. This means that the environment affects how a person thinks and do. There are many people in this world wherein they where affected by the changes in society. Maybe it is because it is needed so that they can fit in or maybe they need it to be socially compatible with others. Behavior can be non-genetically...
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...Nature versus Nurture Lloyd Williams W00634255 lloydvw@yahoo.com Nature • People are born with some innate abilities that they use to interact with and understand the world world. • Through prolonged use, learners will eventually achieve proficiency in the target language. Nurture • People are born “tabula rasa” (or blank slate) and become who they are through the course of their lives alone alone. • Students need to be taught their language. Naturists vs. Nurturists vs • Noam Chomsky oa C o s y • Stephen Krashen • Gardner • • • • Vygotsky ygots y Piaget Pavlov Skinner The Intelligence Quotient (IQ) • Test created in 1905 to predict which students would benefit from teaching. • Attempts to objectively measure “intelligence” intelligence • Scores are given as numbers that show the test taker’s results relative to others. • When adjusted for age, a person’s IQ generally does not vary greatly over the course of their life. • IQ tests can be given on various skills (linguistic, math, etc) Nurture Theories (Skinner) Behaviorism B h i i • Knowledge and Linguistic ability results from stimulus-response conditioning. • Focus is on controlling behavior not behavior, cognitive processes. •C Concerned only with d l ith observable/measurable behavior. Nurture Methods The Audio-lingual M th d Th A di li l Method • Based on Behaviorism – Positive reinforcement of desired production – Emphasis on “correctness” ...
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...Cognitive Development: Nature vs. Nurture PSYC 1000 Lifespan Development Paper Capella University February 2014 INTRODUCTION Cognitive development is an area of study in psychology and neuroscience that is focused on adolescence's development as it pertains to how they process information, their intellectual resources, sensory skills, language learning, and other characteristics of the development of their brain and thought processes in comparison to view of an adult(Coon et al., 2013). In other words, cognitive development is the materialization of the capability to reflect and comprehend. The main debate in cognitive development is nature versus nurture; this debate asks the question if cognitive development is primarily controlled by a person's inherent traits ("nature"), or as a result of their own personal happenings in life ("nurture") (Coon and Mitterer., 2013). Basically, do people act a certain way because of predisposed genetics, or because they were taught to act that way? Research has shown that the nature aspect of genetics is essential throughout psychology. Through different processes, scientists can isolate explicit genes although it has been demonstrated that it is tremendously hard to locate these genes; this is probably because a lot of the genes are complex and every one of them has an exceptionally small reaction. The study on nurture has shown that the environmental stimulus in behavior commonly makes kids within the same household...
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...because of what we experience in life and others would argue that we are predestined because of our heredity. Both parties have piled up plenty of evidence to support their theory. Genes are the basis of our lives and as we grow the environment influences how our genes react and program our brains. “Genes are designed to take their cues from nurture. The more we lift the lid on the genome, the more vulnerable to experience genes appear to be. Ridley explains easily that genes are not puppet masters pulling the strings of our behavior (a common misunderstanding), but are puppets at the mercy of our behavior” (Mysterud). Nature vs. Nurture is still an ongoing controversy that psychologist cannot come to an agreement on. Nature deals with the inheritable factors while Nurture deals with the environmental factors that we grow up around in. Nature via Nurture by Matt Ridley explains that nature and nurture are both important factors that make a person who they are and who they become. Genes are the nature part of the human beings where we learn, how we think, and how we act. Ridley writes: Spradling 4 “Human nature is indeed a combination of Darwin’s universals, Galton’s heredity, James’s instincts, De Vries’s genes, Pavlov’s reflexes, Watson’s associations, Kraepelin’s history, Freud’s formative experience, Boas’s culture, Durkheim’s division of labor, Piaget’s development and Lorenz’s imprinting. You can find all these things going on in the human mind...
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...This research paper explores different published journal articles that report results from empirical research conducted by different theorist in the field of psychology. By looking at the empirical research on nature versus nurture and how it takes both nature and nurture to develop the personality, the baffling question of what influences personality development can start to be answered. The unconscious is also proven to have its influence on personality, by events sealed away in the unconscious of the mind, the influences help to develop the personality and the person to become their self. The self is the person who relates to others. It refers to a unique set of traits, behaviors, and attitudes that distinguish a person in their culture. With in every culture are influences on the personality development by the customs that dictate to how a person should act in the culture they live. There are many other influences on the personality development such as, birth order, a person’s genetics and the different ego states that are all different parts, but are the results of the one whole personality. This research paper will explain and reveal the mystery behind one person being motivated and mature and another person that is not. It contains valuable and revealing information that will explain the different influences on the development of the personality that mold a person’s personality to form one, whole and unique person. View of Personality Development Even after...
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...Small Wonders By Andrew Marshall Time Asia Small Wonders by Andrew Marshall is an intriguing article that searches for answers to this fascinating question “Are child prodigies born or made?” To begin with, the author strictly defines prodigy as a child who by age 10 displays a mastery of a field. Initially, I had no doubt about this definition; however, after reading some online information, I got to know that although there was growing consensus with the author’s definition, it would be going too far to say that such a consensus exists without controversy. There may, for example, be some wisdom in the view of Radford (1990), who has argued that there are so many problems with specifying at what age, and against what standard, a child would have to perform to be called a prodigy. Personally, I much more agree with Radford’s viewpoint than the strict definition of the author. He regards age as the standard to demiliate a prodigy, while I agree with Radford that each field has its own standards, and it seems better to try to specify what is uniquely characteristic of the child prodigy than restricting a certain age to call someone a prodigy. Prodigies, as the author says, can be found anywhere and in any race or culture. However, there are some factors that prevent some child prodigies from being discovered or developed. Besides poverty, lack of education, and absence of opportunities in the past, most of which have been mentions in the text, there...
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...Another Interpretation of the Flynn Effect Janet Meadows Northcentral University NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET Student: Janet Meadows THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED IN Follow these procedures: If requested by your instructor, please include an assignment cover sheet. This will become the first page of your assignment. In addition, your assignment header should include your last name, first initial, course code, dash, and assignment number. This should be left justified, with the page number right justified. For example: MEADOWSJEDU7003-3 1 Save a copy of your assignments: You may need to re-submit an assignment at your instructor’s request. Make sure you save your files in accessible location. Academic integrity: All work submitted in each course must be your own original work. This includes all assignments, exams, term papers, and other projects required by your instructor. Knowingly submitting another person’s work as your own, without properly citing the source of the work, is considered plagiarism. This will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the work submitted or for the entire course. It may also result in academic dismissal from the University. EDU7003 Sunny Liu Statistics I #3 This is my interpretation of the Flynn Effect…. Hope you enjoy. Faculty Use Only Another Interpretation of the Flynn Effect The...
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...encompasses the main findings of the researchers into a summarization of their findings. This research in this study is credible and believable but the article leaves out some essential information about the findings that could strengthen or weaken the researcher’s argument and allow the reader to develop their own opinion. In this study the independent variable is the student’s IQ and the dependent variable is the student’s mathematical scores/abilities. IQ tests have long been used as a system to measure the intelligence of the testee. Standardized mathematical testing is an accurate method of measuring mathematical abilities because it objectively scores each student’s mathematical knowledge in the same way. Due to the standardized nature of the IQ and math tests the student’s scores can be used to compare each other with without causing error. In order to solidify these findings and rule out possible sources of error researchers interviewed students to determine their attitudes...
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...PSY 210 Week 1 - Discussion Questions #1 What are some of the ways that psychologists attempt to explain human behavior? One of the major debates within the field of psychology is the degree to which nature versus nurture shapes human behaviors and traits. What comprises our nature? How would you define nurture? How would you describe the interaction between genetic potential, environmental influences, and personal choice? In your opinion, is biology destiny? Explain why or why not. Most psychologists try to explain human behavior through the study of nature vs. nurture, or the study of one’s genetic make-up and their environment and how much each affects personality and behavior. Nature: can be described as a person’s biological construction or blue print that may have some influence and explain an individual’s behavior. It is thought that some of a person’s genetic make-up dictates certain traits that an individual will have like their disposition, personality traits, disabilities, aggressiveness, whether they may are introverted or extroverted, etc. which can all influence the behavior that an individual might have. Nurture: can be described as the environmental factors that can influences and individual’s personality and behavior. Environmental factors can be familial influences, influence of friends, the neighborhood in which a person lives, their living arrangements, experiences, and much more. “It appears that genetic factors are involved in nearly...
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...him? Or say he has a hard time keeping his grades up? Those things are going to have an impact on him as much, if not more, than his relationship with his parents. Also, if he lives in a bad neighborhood and his peers are using drugs or alcohol, that could be a big influence on how he deals with his problems. Of course, I believe that it will be a great protective factor for him if he does have parents that will support him. But if the situation were reversed, I feel that if his relationship with his parents is not a very good one, then the proper support from his friends and teachers could be a big help to him. Before this class, I never really considered what a major influence a child's environment can have. I knew about the "nature vs. nurture" theory, but I would have thought that the child's parents would have the most influence on them. But after examining all aspects of a child's life, I feel that a child's peers, school and community are even more important. References Baumrind, Diana (2003, August) Parenting Styles. Retrieved April 7, 2006, from http://www.devpsy.org/teaching/parent/baumrind_styles.html Dinwiddie, Sue (2000, April 20) Effective Parenting Styles. Retrieved April 7, 2006, from http://kidsource.com/better.world.press/parenting.html World Works. Parenting and Discipline. Life Matters. Retrieved April 7, 2006 from...
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...ESSAY: STAGE 1 NATURE VS NURTURE Intro Nature VS Nurture has been a long going debate for many of centuries. Many of people have argued for what side they think is correct. Psychologists such as; Many other studies have been done When in psychology we talk about Nature this means our genetics, what we are born with. Nurture refers to how we have experienced life and how as a child how parents have brought us up. Environmental factors also contribute to Nurture. Many studies have been done in this debate, in the studies there have been twins separated at birth. The twins were moved to opposite sides of the world with completely different family types. When the twins were reunited some aspects of them were the same but things like their beliefs and look on life were different Nature normally refers to our genetics. What we are born with; we may be born with a chemical imbalance causing us to be more depressed then happy or we may have a bad temper. Some genetic mental disease may run through the family such as depression or bipolar. Researcher’s studies people and their relatives because they share most genes so the studies they conduct see whether or not their characteristics are similar. Identical twins have the same genes, so this may be Nature but they usually are treated the same and grow up in the same environment. Nurture is usually the environment we are brought up in; we may be brought up on the streets which can cause us to become aggressive because you had to...
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...Nature Verses Nurture The discussion on the importance of heredity and environment in human development is not new. The nature verses nurture question has been debated for years (Psychology). Nurture side of the debate considers all the environmental influences on an individual after conception. While the nature side of the debate focus on nature that which is inherited, or know as genetics. The nature verse nurture discussion has been a part of the history of psychology that goes back to Francis Galton. Galton was influenced by the book, The Origin of Species written by his cousin, Charles Darwin. The Origin of Species has been criticized for over simplifying two theories of why a lifestyle of wealth, education and privilege seems to be passed on to biological children. Galton takes credit for the phrase in his English Men of Science: Their Nature and Nurture, first published in 1874. In this book he states that nature and nurture are, "a convenient jingle of words, for it separates under two distinct heads the innumerable elements of which personality is composed. Nature is all that a man brings with himself into the world and nurture is every influence that affects him after his birth” (p.12). It is thought that how one is nurtured is what controls the psychological aspects of child development and the concept of growth applies to the biological facets of human life. When infants bonds to the individual(s) bestowing love and affection, she/he has received, she/he...
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...The nature versus nurture issue of sport is very controversial. When we come to talk about great athletes we tend to ask ourselves a question that has been around every since sports have started- are great athletes born or made? From my experiences, and other professional athlete’s experiences, I can tell you that they are made. I believe that you can achieve anything life if you want it bad enough, and are willing to do everything you can to achieve it. For instance, NBA great Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers is an un-athletic, skinny person who overcame leg deformities as a child that prevented him from walking. He had to wear leg braces for several years until his leg problems were corrected enough for him to start walking again. Eventually, Miller went on to play in the NBA for 13 seasons, while setting the record for most 3-point shots made (Beyond the Glory: Reggie Miller 2004). Therefore, in my opinion, Miller was not a “born” athlete. I feel that he worked hard to develop his skill, and make it into the NBA. On the other hand, many people believe that genetics make up good athletes. They believe that people are born with the ability to become a great athlete. For instance, people believe that Reggie Miller was born with genes that would make him a good basketball player since he was born with potential to grow tall. Miller is now 6’6, and almost every great basketball player surpasses the height of 6’4. Therefore, being tall gives you an advantage in basketball,...
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...Describe the basic elements of the nature-nurture controversy. The amount of influence that genes have on personality verses the influence of learning experiences is not only related to genetics but also psychology. The debate of nature- nurture controversy has been studied for over 130 years and is still being researched. “After studying many prominent English families, Galton concluded that intelligence is inherited- that nature, not nurture, is responsible for intelligence” (Wood, Wood, & Boyd, 2005, p. 278). Nature refers to an individual’s innate qualities. Genes is considered nature, the physical and personality traits determined by ones genes will always stay the same. The coding of genes determines an individual’s traits such as eye color, hair color, and height. Nurture refers to personal experiences. This refers to ones childhood and how they were raised. This debate will always be controversial. An individual’s traits are predetermined by their genes but life experiences are what shape a person. There have been many research studies completed regarding this debate with no conclusive results. Discuss what is controversial in the nature- nurture debate. Nature versus nurture is one of the most frequently debated issues among psychologists. The term was created by a British researcher Sir Francis Galton who studied the role of genes in intelligence. The debate is about the importance of an individual’s inherited qualities versus personal experiences in determining...
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