- Describe the basic elements of the nature-nurture controversy (i.e., what is meant specifically by “nature” and “nurture”).
The basic elements of the nature-nurture controversy relate to arguments contending that human personality could emerge from genetics/hereditary or the environment. These two sides of the debate produce various interpretations of nature and nurture. Importantly, nature encompasses those innate qualities believed to have been obtained through biological process during intrauterine development. Nurture is perceived from the premise of personality traits being developed from social experience with a person’s environment (Stiles, 2011).
Precisely, the elements contained in this controversy embrace understanding differences among individuals demonstrated in physical and behavior traits. Factors under consideration are the intelligence quotient (IQ) element; obligate versus facultative adaptations; law implications; free will and popular culture. It has been discovered that intelligence quotient (IQ) scores differ among siblings who were adopted from biological ones. For these scientist this is evidence showing that genetics/hereditary is influential in creating an individual’s personality (Ridley, 2003).
Obligate versus facultative adaptations theorists advance that personality development should be obligate rather than facultative. References to anthropological adaptations in detecting personality types through archeological studies were made. The legal profession now argues that criminal activity is more biologically influenced than environmental; while free will activists contend that the environment has a great impact on personality development because moral perceptions have no biological basis. Popular culture supports obligate theory in identifying how cloning effect personality (Ridley, 2003).
- Discuss what is controversial in the nature-nurture debate.
The controversy relates to what defines human character. Is it the body structure or the personality emerging from that structure? Essentially, it is a dispute among; philosophers; theologians; behavioral psychologists as well as consciousness theorists. Arguments are advanced regarding the source human personality creativity. The issue becomes more controversial when scientists cannot agree whether it is nature or nurture. There is profound evidence supportive of both nature and nurture to the extent that the two propositions ought to be considered in determining t elements that create human personality. More importantly, scientists find pleasure in prolonging the debate which clearly is neither nature only or nurture, but both (Nature – Nurture controversy facts, 2001).
- Compare and contrast two studies on nature-nurture. Be sure to:
- Description of each study (e.g., subjects, methods, traits being studied).
Study 1: Skelton, J. Irby, M., & Grzywacz, J. (2011). Etiologies of Obesity in Children: Nature and Nurture. Pediatr Clin North Am. 58(6): 1333–1354.
This study is a review evaluating the causes of obesity among children applying nature- nurture theories. Variables targeted for measurement were neuroendocrine control of body weight; changes in the family; genes and other contributors to obesity; medications; obesity and the life cycle; lifestyle and environment; Industrialization and obesity and the built environment. These researchers used two groups in the study and compared outcomes (Skelton, Irby & Grzywacz, 2011).
Study 11: Harold, T. Leve, L, Reiss, D. (2013). The Nature of Nurture. Journal of Family
Psychology. 27(1); 12-21
These researchers revisited a developmental interface occurring between nature and nurture by ‘disentangling passive genotype–environment correlation from family relationship influences on children's externalizing problems’ (Harold, Leve & Reiss, 2013, p. 12 ). A sample of 378 adopted children conceived through IVF and 218 children conceived through natural intercourse were compared for personality development issues. Variables compared were interparental conflict; mother to child hostility; father to child hostility; child externalizing behavior reported by father and child externalizing behavior reported by mother (Harold et.al, 2013)
- Discussion on the similarities and differences between the studies.
Similarities between these two studies lay in investigation a phenomenon occurring in children. Secondly, both studies investigated how nature and nurture influenced the emergence and design of personalities ultimately. In contrast study one researched physical factor, obesity from both nature and nurture theoretical perspective. Study 11 evaluated a sociological outcome from both nature and nurture conceptual framework applying a passive genotype–environment correlation methodology (Skelton et.al, 2011) (Harold et.al, 2013)
3. Discussion the conclusions of each study.
Researchers in study 1 concluded that childhood obesity represents interplay between the physical and environment. It is a complex issue which needs to be further researched thoroughly. However, there is evidence predicting that genetics variations could influence endocrine control producing obesity in children. Essentially, it could not be overlooked that environmental factors such as inappropriate diets accompanied by poor nutrition do impact weight gain. The environment plays a vital role through advertisements and other media sensitive cultural practices in determining food culture enabling obesity development (Skelton et.al, 2011).
Conclusions retrieved from study 11 revealed positive genotype–environment correlations between interparental conflict; mother to child hostility; father to child hostility; child externalizing behavior reported by father and child externalizing behavior reported by mother for children conceived through in-vitro fertilization. Alternatively, there were negative genotype–environment correlations between interparental conflict; mother to child hostility; father to child hostility; child externalizing behavior reported by father and child externalizing behavior reported by mother for children conceived through sexual intercourse (Harold et.al, 2013)
References
Harold, T. Leve, L, Reiss, D. (2013). The Nature of Nurture. Journal of Family Psychology.
27(1); 21-21
Nature – Nurture controversy facts (2001). Nature – Nurture controversy facts Gale
Encyclopedia of Psychology
Ridley, M. (2003) Nature via Nurture: Genes, Experience, & What Makes Us Human. Harper
Collins.
Skelton, J. Irby, M., & Grzywacz, J. ( 2011). Etiologies of Obesity in Children: Nature and
Nurture. Pediatr Clin North Am. 58(6): 1333–1354.
Stiles, J. (2011). Brain development and the nature versus nurture debate. Progress in Brain
Research. Progress in Brain Research 189: 3–22
Joseph A. Skelton, Megan B. Irby, Joseph Grzywacz,
