Essay on Nature and Nurture

Submitted By Chloer23
Words: 694
Pages: 3
Open Document
Nature vs Nurture Paper
Chloe Robinson
Tioana Maxwell
PSYC 2301- 5023
February 1, 2014

Nature vs Nurture The concept of Nature vs. Nurture is the question whether ones behavior is more influenced by their genes or their environment. In today’s modern society social norms have definitely caused the evolution of behaviors from one generation to the next over short and long periods of time. On the other hand, genes carry behaviors that do not need to be learned and are usually more persistent than those that were adapted from the environment. A big argument is this area is the IQ debate. Studies have shown that in late adolescence adoptive siblings are no closer in IQ than strangers (correlation close to 0) while full siblings show an IQ of 0.6. The pattern is even more apparent in twins with identical twins who were raised separate having a highly similar IQ (Cherry, 2009). These types of findings have caused the continuous debate and to how much or how little one’s personality is determined by nature or nurture. When I asked my parents whether they felt I am a product of my environment or of my genes, their answer was unanimous. Obviously, according to them, it is my genes. My mother’s primary example was the fact that I am the oldest child. All of the eldest siblings in the recent generations in her family had similar behaviors to mine. For example we were always the less sociable of all the siblings but still natural leaders, most likely because we had the responsibility of being the oldest. My father’s argument was that I, and my sisters, are very intelligent like both of my parents and have always been kept to a high standard of academic achievement. I also have my parents’ natural work ethic. Like them I have earned my own money and had a job from the earliest age I could. Another major gene I inherited from my parents, and has no doubt influenced my behavior and lifestyle, is my short height. My parents gave me great examples and as far as their opinion that I am a product of nature, I agree. However, I believe that I could be a product of both with more of a tendency toward nature. As far as learned behaviors I believe that my environment strongly influenced the way I live because I grew up in the suburbs. I suspect that if I had stayed in the area I lived during my early childhood, which was a lower middle class neighborhood, I would have most likely had much different experiences and things like my educational achievements and socio-economic background would be on a different spectrum. Of course where someone grew up does not solidify your future, but I believe it will definitely impact the way an individual
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Nature and Nurture

Nature Vs Nurture

The question of nature vs nurture in psychology is a question that humanity’s greatest minds have been debating for millennia. From Plato who believes in nature, against Aristotle who argued for nurture. To as recently as today where scientists are still trying to figure out the answer with no prevail. (Nature vs Nurture) The basic premise of this debate is whether the mind is influenced by the world around it or is already predetermined. In other words, certain people believe that the mind is a…

Words 1179 - Pages 5

Nature Vs Nurture

Some say that behavior results from nature, or one’s own genes, while others say that behavior results from nurture, or the environment. People are aware that both nature and nurture influence how humans live and think but exactly how much of human traits are determined by either nature and nurture remains unknown. Scientists may seem more engaged in the nature theory because of the biology and chemistry involved. This in turn leads to further research in the nature field. On the other hand, psychologists…

Words 1001 - Pages 5

Nature Vs Nurture

do a person environment control them or is their fate destined throughout their genes? The concept of nature versus nurture is a debate on whether a person behavior is based on the environment or do genes influence a person behavior. Nature is the behavior influenced by the gene. Nurture is based on how a person was raised. A person being born good or bad is one example of nature versus nurture. In my opinion, I think a person environment cannot play a part on whether or not a person is good or…

Words 160 - Pages 1

Nature Vs Nurture

In psychology, there are two main point of views when analysing the brain. The two main points are nature and nurture. Nurture is the theory that a person's behavior is determined in the womb. While, nature is the theory that your behavior is determined by your experience or environment. On May 21, 1960, Jeffrey Dahmer was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, raised by disheveled parents, Lionel and Joyce Dahmer. He was known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, an American serial killer and sex offender, who committed…

Words 264 - Pages 2

Nature Vs Nurture

and what is taught to us. We are taught by our parents, by our teachers, by grandparents, by siblings, friends, ect.. but ultimately a parents wants there child to grow up knowing they taught them to do what was right and wrong. This is where Nature vs. Nurture come into play this is where we learn ones interest and abilities such as creativity, social skills, problem-solving ability, and so forth. Parents are the keys to intellectual development for almost all children in the care and education…

Words 599 - Pages 3

Nurture Over Nature

Nurture Over Nature Though some believe that who you are in pre-determined prior to birth, the idea that your identity develops from the environment and surroundings is significantly stronger. Nature is responsible for developing a fetus into a healthy child however, it cannot mature a child into an educated, well-rounded adult. Only through experience which nurture gives a person, will an individual grow and develop. Environmental factors have a lasting effect on how individuals behave, talk, and…

Words 841 - Pages 4

Nature Vs Nurture

personality? Some say that your personality and actions are based on genetics, and others say it is based on how you were raised, media, and other things in society. Nature versus nurture is a very big debate amongst scientists and people in general. Personally, I believe that both of these take part in your personality and behavior. Nature would be your genetics, and nurturing factors would be your family and how you were raised, your friends and the people that you hang out with, and the media such…

Words 1169 - Pages 5

Frankenstein Nature Vs Nurture

The Nature versus Nurture debate dates back to the nineteenth century and is directly related to Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. In this novel, a main character commits many bad and evil acts. Some may say that the character was created with the traits to commit the acts and others may say that events the character went through shaped him to commit these acts. In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the creature’s kind nature is erased by the lack of a nurturing environment. The creature’s life represents…

Words 1714 - Pages 7

Nature vs. Nurture Essay

Nature vs Nurture: Do You Choose Your Sexuality, Or Is It Genetic? The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the most enduring in the field of psychology because of the many different topics that can be attained in this single field. Psychologist have thought and asked questions of how far are human behaviors, ideas, and feeling, innate and how far are they all learned? These issues are at the center of the ongoing nature versus nurture controversy. The French philosopher Rene Descartes suggested…

Words 1083 - Pages 5

Essay on Nature vs. Nurture

Nature vs. Nurture The dubious history of the heredity environment controversy can be easily traced as far back as the start of the present century with at least some historical evidence placing the roots of this dispute in the time of John Locke. This controversy has continued despite continual reiteration that the critical question is not how much of a trait is due to heredity and how much is due to environment, but rather how environment transact to influence development." ( Wachs ,…

Words 2492 - Pages 10