Discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology. (16 marks)
The nature nurture debate explores the extent to which our behaviours are a product of inherited or
acquired characteristcss The nature argument suggests that human characteristcs are innate and are the result
of heredity, the genetc transmission of mental and physical characteristcs from one generaton to anothers
Also, it argues that evoluton innuences our behaviours as adaptve behaviours – that increase the likelihood of
surviving and reproducing – are more likely to be passed on through geness
The nurture argument suggests that we are born as ‘blank slates’, and that our environment and our
experiences are responsible for human behaviours This may include cultural context, social upbringing and the
mother’s physical state during pregnancys
Interactonist psychologists believe that nature and nurture are linked in an inseparable way, and
instead focus on the relatve importance of each argument and how they interacts For example, diathesis-stress
models of mental health disorders suggest that a genetc predispositon is expressed in the presence of an
environmental triggers In additon, epigenetcs looks at how environmental stmuli can switch genes on or of,
and how the associated behavioural changes can also afect the individual’s ofsprings
A limitaton of the nature argument is that it is biologically deterministcs Arguing that behaviour and
characteristcs are caused by genetcs has led to controversial research in the past; esgs in the 1950s, Shockley
claimed that genetcs were the reason why black Americans scored lower in IQ tests than white Americans, yet
the IQ test was constructed to favour the superior educaton experiences of white peoples This socially sensitve
research led to ‘scientic racism’ ’whereby scientic research justies discriminatonn, and even atempts to
promote eugenic policiess The interactonist approach is therefore a healthier approach for society because it is
less deterministc, as it argues our behaviour is caused by more than one factors
A strength of the nurture argument is that it has led to behavioural shapings This is helpful in therapies,
such as aversion therapies for smoking addicton, as positve behaviours can be reinforced meaning they are
more likely to be repeated, and negatve behaviours can be punished meaning they are less likely to be
repeateds However, whilst this strengthens the argument, empiricists must be careful that their research is not
used to control and manipulate societes using these techniquess Also, despite being able to adapt it through
nurture, problematc behaviours – such as addictons – may have biological causess
A strength of the interactonist approach is that nature can innuence nurtures Plomin describes niche-
picking, whereby an individual chooses an environment that is appropriate for their genetc make-ups For
example, a naturally aggressive child may choose to spend tme with other children who are aggressives This
aggressive environment will then innuence the child’s behaviours Contrastngly, evidence demonstratng brain
plastcity supports the idea that nurture can innuence natures These examples strengthen the interactonist
approach as they suggest that nature and nurture interact and cannot be separateds
Word count: 187 + 294
The nature nurture debate explores the extent to which our behaviours are a product of inherited or
acquired characteristcss The nature argument suggests that human characteristcs are innate and are the result
of heredity, the genetc transmission of mental and physical characteristcs from one generaton to anothers
Also, it argues that evoluton innuences our behaviours as adaptve behaviours – that increase the likelihood of
surviving and reproducing – are more likely to be passed on through geness
The nurture argument suggests that we are born as ‘blank slates’, and that our environment and our
experiences are responsible for human behaviours This may include cultural context, social upbringing and the
mother’s physical state during pregnancys
Interactonist psychologists believe that nature and nurture are linked in an inseparable way, and
instead focus on the relatve importance of each argument and how they interacts For example, diathesis-stress
models of mental health disorders suggest that a genetc predispositon is expressed in the presence of an
environmental triggers In additon, epigenetcs looks at how environmental stmuli can switch genes on or of,
and how the associated behavioural changes can also afect the individual’s ofsprings
A limitaton of the nature argument is that it is biologically deterministcs Arguing that behaviour and
characteristcs are caused by genetcs has led to controversial research in the past; esgs in the 1950s, Shockley
claimed that genetcs were the reason why black Americans scored lower in IQ tests than white Americans, yet
the IQ test was constructed to favour the superior educaton experiences of white peoples This socially sensitve
research led to ‘scientic racism’ ’whereby scientic research justies discriminatonn, and even atempts to
promote eugenic policiess The interactonist approach is therefore a healthier approach for society because it is
less deterministc, as it argues our behaviour is caused by more than one factors
A strength of the nurture argument is that it has led to behavioural shapings This is helpful in therapies,
such as aversion therapies for smoking addicton, as positve behaviours can be reinforced meaning they are
more likely to be repeated, and negatve behaviours can be punished meaning they are less likely to be
repeateds However, whilst this strengthens the argument, empiricists must be careful that their research is not
used to control and manipulate societes using these techniquess Also, despite being able to adapt it through
nurture, problematc behaviours – such as addictons – may have biological causess
A strength of the interactonist approach is that nature can innuence nurtures Plomin describes niche-
picking, whereby an individual chooses an environment that is appropriate for their genetc make-ups For
example, a naturally aggressive child may choose to spend tme with other children who are aggressives This
aggressive environment will then innuence the child’s behaviours Contrastngly, evidence demonstratng brain
plastcity supports the idea that nurture can innuence natures These examples strengthen the interactonist
approach as they suggest that nature and nurture interact and cannot be separateds
Word count: 187 + 294
