Question

Discussion # 1- Nature vs. Nurture

The biggest debate in psychology, seemingly, is the one about the origin of what makes us who we are. This debate is simply referred to as the 'Nature vs. Nurture' debate. The side of nature is what we are studying in this course, the biological influences and genetics that we come into this world with (what mom and dad gave us). The nuture side of things is simply the experiences we have in life, the friends and family, and how we were raised. It's obvious that it is a combination of these 2 elements, but what do you think that split might be and why?

For example, as a "neuro nerd", I believe the split is 80% biology/genes, and 20% environment. Not everybody feels that way, nor should they. What I would like you to do this week is to make an initial post stating what percent you think is biological and what percent is environment (50/50 maybe?) and why you think it is that way.

Answer 1

People are the products of their environment such as, parenting, family, friends, education, employment, culture, religion etc. This would mean that although one’s genes paly a basic role in determining one’s temperament and personality, it’s the environment that play s a major role in determining one’s attitudes, personality, values, worldview etc. While one is born, one’s mind is an empty slate on which one’s environment would write all the information necessary for survival. Thus, in my opinion, the split is 80 percentage nurture or environment and 20 percentage nature or the genetic make-up. It’s for this reason, famous behavioural psychologist John B. Watson challenged the world with his quote, ‘give me a dozen well formed healthy infants and I would make them whoever you want them to become such as, doctors, engineers, teachers and even thieves’. It brings out the importance of one’s environment in determining one’s intelligence, thinking and behaviours.

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