Nature vs Nurture Genes vs Environment Essay - 1490 Words

Introduction A debate between psychologist, scientists and philosopher thinkers on the spectrum of ‘nature vs. nurture’ arose concerning human development. In the nature versus nurture debate, the term nature refers to the genes we inherit while the term nurture refers to our outside environment (Nature vs. Nurture: Twin and Adoption Studies). This debate of ‘nature vs. nurture’ has existed for centuries and up to now it is still a topic of major discussion although at present time. Human development is the scientific study of age-related changes in behavior, thinking, emotions and personality (Boyd Bee, 2005). In order to understand cognitive, emotional, physical, social and educational growth that everyone experiences from†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, there are people arguing that our personalities our moulded purely by external factors such as family, friends, teachers, and society as a whole (Spaulding, 2009). What is certain is that our heredity and DNA can carry traits which make us susceptible to mental disorders and psychopathology, which can have serious affects on personality (Spaulding, 2009). For instance, Down syndrome children have difficulty in communicating and understanding thus, causing them to be slow learners and anti-socialites. A person with a hypothalamus lesion may experience obesity or underweight that is beyond his or her control. However, the aspect of environmental influence (nurture) should not be entirely excluded. For instance, a person who has two obese parents can grow to be healthy and slender as healthy food is available for him or her. Both nature and nurture plays a very significant role in the psychological and overall development of a child. Physical appearances and traits such as the colour of the hair or the height of an individual are normally acquired from generation to generation through genes. So much so, environment can change the physique of a person in many ways. For instance, a short boy who is eager to be tall may consume more protein and play more sports that require him to jump. Abnormalities such as Down syndrome and albinism occur due to genetic defects inShow MoreRelatedNature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment1174 Words   |  5 Pagesquote remains a mystery. Appearance is in nature and character is nurtured. Which one is more dominant on the other is a question waiting to be answered. The widely explored nature vs. nurture debate is best examined by looking at, hereditary implications, environmental factors and their interdependency. Hereditary factors play an integral part in developing persons’ physical traits, emotional traits and social etiquettes. The nature/nurture debate will be explored further using theseRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment Essay995 Words   |  4 PagesIn trying to understand human behavior, professionals for centuries have looked at the nature vs. nurture theory. While it is known that the physical traits such of eye or hair color have to do with nature, some strongly believe that genes play a part in the way we behave such as in personality and intelligence and others believe that we behave a certain way solely due to our environment. Professor Jerome Kagan, from Harvard opened up a brand new world and offers a deeper understanding for theRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment Essay example555 Words   |  3 Pageswhich takes our minds to much further levels. The controversy is whether inherited genes or the environment influences and aff ects our personality, intelligence, behavior, development and abilities. This controversy is most often recognized as the â€Å"Nature vs. Nurture† conflict. Some people believe that it is strictly genes that affect our ways of live and how we are, while others believe that it is the environment that affects us, and some believe that both of these influence our behavior. EitherRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment Essay1285 Words   |  6 Pagesgender identity develops, through the conditioning of our environments. The most influential factor of gender development, however, is still a very controversial issue. An analysis of the gender identification process reveals two main arguments in what factor most greatly contributes to gender development: biology differences (nature) or the environment (nurture). The first main factor that is said to influence gender is biology. â€Å"Nature doesn’t give a flea’s hind leg for our social theories, fadsRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay1300 Words   |  6 PagesNature versus nurture has emerged as one of the most heated debates in the 21st century. It is more aligned towards the internal and external factors that comprise human beings behavior. The internal factors are innate and perceived to be genetically revolved as opposed to the external factors that are influenced by the environment and individuals’ experiences. However, scholars in different fields have researched on the relationship between nature and nurture without due success and this has createdRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay936 Words   |  4 Pagesour genes, our environment, or in the way we are raised? For years, there has been an on-going debate between nature and nurture. T.H. Whi te, author of The Once and Future King, explores the debate through many of the book’s characters. The issue clearly appears in the relationship of Queen Morgause and her sons, the Orkney brothers. The debate caused people to pick a side, to pick nature over nurture, or nurture over nature. However, it does not have to be one or the other. Nature and nurture workRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay example997 Words   |  4 Pagesan attempt to understand human behavior, professionals for centuries have looked at the nature vs. nurture theory. While it is known that the physical traits such of eye or hair color have to do with nature, some strongly believe that the way people behave such as in personality and intelligence, have to do with genetic makeup and some believe that people behave a certain way solely due to their environment. Professor Jerome Kagan, from Harvard opened up a brand new world and offers hope for thoseRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay778 Words   |  4 Pagesto our environment and surroundings. We have all tried to hide our true personality in order to be accepted, and have imitated other people. A person’s personality changes as they are exposed to different situations. Since the person changed, one will find a new way to deal with different situations. After, they might influence their friends to change as well. However, the changes could be on the good side or the bad side. This is how nurture changes us over time. Nurture is the environment that weRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay1037 Words   |  5 Pageswill be forever or if the society they grow in creates all of their attributes. This nature versus nurture debate affects many aspects of life, including the treatment of serial killers and psychopaths, and recognition of emotional and mental disorders, the acceptance of homosexuality, and even video game regulation. The nature theory states that only a person’s genes develop their personality, while the nurture theory states that personality is developed only because of the impact of societyRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Do Genes Or Environment Matter More? Essay566 Words   |  3 Pagesovercame my shyness and I changed into an outgoing person. As many people have begun to pay attention to formation of personality, the debate over nature vs. nurture has raged for a long time and this issue is still controversial. However, as shown the experience above, I believe that people’s personalities are determined by their environment rather than by their genetics for the following reasons. One reason is that people’s personalities are not eternal and their personalities constantly change