Nature Versus Nurture Debate Essay

Words: 957
Pages: 4
Open Document
The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest and most controversial issues in Psychology. The nature versus nurture debate revolves around the contributions of genetic factors and environmental factors to human development. The primary method of attempting to determine which of these effects human development the most has been cross-cultural studies. Cross-cultural studies are studies conducted across more than one culture, based on the assumption that the differences between cultures genetically are less that the differences within a culture. Through cross-cultural studies, Psychologists are able to determine whether nature or nurture has the paramount effect upon the three major segregations of human development, Cognitive, …show more content…
From studying a large group of 51 children who gradually progressed through a number of stages of physical development, he developed a scale of motor development. Adapting this study, Geker conducted a cross-cultural study between Uganda and America in the development of motor skills of infants. It was found that the Ugandan infants had greater development in their motor skills, reaching the motor skill milestones on average, faster than the American infants. Dependent on the cultural context in which an individual lives, their motor skill development can be aided greatly or hindered. Through cross-cultural studies in this case, it is apparent that the way in which a child is reared and other various environmental factors can greatly effect advancement/development in motor skills.

Moral development refers to the changes in reasoning about moral issues such as the value of human life/property, honesty and social rules. Although morality has no definitive definition, nor does it have set specific limitations, moral development in this case can be defined as the advancements in cognitive skills regarding morality and judgment. Snapey and associates tested the six stages of moral development proposed by Kohlberg (1980s) on a large group of Israeli teenagers over 2-9 years. These stages of development were based on children’s responses to a series of moral dilemmas. When compared to the scores of other teenagers from the United States and Turkey, the Israeli teenagers
Show More

Related Documents: Nature Versus Nurture Debate Essay

Nature Vs Nurture Essay

April. 2010 Nature Versus Nurture In today’s society, psychological development in humans is being observed more closely, due to the fact that people are more curious than ever to find out why they are who they are. Developmental psychology deals with the origins and progress of an individual’s psychological processes. The debate that argues whether our behaviors can be linked to our genetics or to our environment is the nature versus nurture debate. The nature versus nurture debate can be found…

Words 2580 - Pages 11

Nature Vs Nurture Debate

Debate on the Nature Versus Nurture controversy dates back to 1869 when the phrase was first conceived by Francis Galton, a man who had wide-ranging knowledge. Galton began to investigate further on the nature versus nurture debate when his half-cousin, Charles Darwin, publicized On the Origin of Species, where Darwin first began his study on the theory of evolution. Intrigued by Darwin’s theories and ideas, Galton publicized two books exploring inheritance, and evolution of traits. Since Galton…

Words 677 - Pages 3

nature vs. nurture Essay

Nature versus Nurture brings up quite a controversy, whether its inherited in our genes or the environment influences and effects development of personality such as our behavior, intelligence, and ability. Social scientists have struggled with this issue for centuries, whether our development is born nature or made nurture. Some believe that it is strictly our genes; others believe it is the environment, and still others believe it is based on both, our genes and the environment. Either way, the…

Words 492 - Pages 2

FINAL GLT3 The Nature Nurture Debate Essay

The Nature Nurture Debate Linda Abernathy Western Governors University September 21, 2014 The Nature Nurture Debate Why do we act the way we act? What determines who we are and what we will become? Are we born or do we become a certain way? Do our genes determine our intelligence, personality and moral code or are these traits created by the environment in which we live? These questions have consumed philosophers, scholars and statesmen alike since the dawn of time and will likely never be answered…

Words 1142 - Pages 5

Predetermined Genetic Nurture Or Environmental Influences

One of the longest running debates of our time is that of the nature versus nurture. This debate centers on determining whether an individual’s intelligence and behaviors are derived from a predetermined genetic makeup or environmental influences. Theorists supporting the nature argument see intelligence as being tied to genetic makeup, we are born with our intelligence because it is inherited, whereas, the nurture stance does acknowledge a biological component but supports the idea that intelligence…

Words 453 - Pages 2

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 In Truman Capote's In Cold Blood

Nature versus Nurture, genetics versus environment. In the book, “In Cold Blood,” it is seen everywhere. Between the killers, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, Nancy and Kenyon Clutter, and even, Herbert Clutter. It is even seen in everyday life, with twins being put up for adoption and separated at birth. They have the same genetics but different environments that they grow up in. In the book, “In Cold Blood,” by Truman Capote, the debate between Nature vs. Nurture is seen with the murderers, Perry…

Words 569 - Pages 3

Essay about Development Across the Life Span: Nature Versus Nurture

Development Across the Life Span: Nature versus Nurture Barry University What is Nature versus Nurture? Development across the lifespan is one of the most interesting areas of psychology. The word development refers to human development which can be defined as “the scientific study of changes that occur in people as they age from conception until death.” (Ciccarelli, & White, 2009)Psychologists study this developmental change over time through several different methods. The book highlights…

Words 1674 - Pages 7

Nature vs Nurture Essay example

Nature versus Nurture Dorothy Williams Western Governor’s University Table of Contents Abstract Introduction Case Studies Case Study Comparison Conclusion References Abstract The nature- nurture debate is a controversial topic. Studies are done to determine if genetics or environment affect an individual’s physical and behavioral traits. This paper discusses the basics of the nature-nurture controversy as well as the reasons the nature-nurture debate is so controversial. Two studies on this topic…

Words 1212 - Pages 5

Nature Vs Nurture Research Paper

Keith Mierzejewski Methods of Critical Thinking Research Paper December 11, 2010 Nature vs. Nurture One of the most enduring debates in the field of psychology is the controversial idea of nature vs. nurture. Throughout the endless history of the debate, no clear conclusion has been met, only hypotheses have been formed. At the center of the debate, human behaviors, ideas, and feelings are being determined, whether they are learned or inherited. Determining physical traits, such as eye color…

Words 1971 - Pages 8