Nature and nurture debate

• What does the diathesis-stress model contribute to the nature-nurture debate?

  It offers a different way to understand the interaction between biological vulnerability and environmental stressors.
• What is an example of a mental disorder discussed in relation to the diathesis-stress model?

  Schizophrenia
• What is meant by 'diathesis' in the context of the diathesis-stress model?

  It refers to a biological vulnerability, such as certain genes that predispose a person to a disorder.
• Which gene is mentioned as an example of a diathesis for schizophrenia?

  NRG1
• Why do not all individuals with the NRG1 gene develop schizophrenia?

  Because the expression of the gene depends on environmental stressors.
• What role do 'stressors' play in the diathesis-stress model?

  Stressors trigger the expression of the genetic predisposition to mental disorders.
• What does the interactionist approach emphasize in the context of the diathesis-stress model?

  It emphasizes the importance of both nature and nurture in the development of mental disorders.
• What is the main focus of the nature-nurture debate?

  The relative contributions of genetics and environment to human behavior and development.
• What is a problem with the nature-nurture debate?

  Genes may exert an indirect effect on nurture in various ways.
• Who conducted research on gene-environment interaction?

  Plomin et al.
• What is passive influence in the context of gene-environment interaction?

  It occurs when a parent with a genetic mental illness creates an unsettled home environment.
• How might a parent's mental illness indirectly affect a child's mental health?

  A parent's mental illness can create an unsettled home environment, leading to a child's mental disorder.
• Why is it significant that the two sides of the nature-nurture debate were treated as independent?

  It highlights the importance of recognizing how nature can indirectly affect nurture.
• What do the examples in the study material illustrate about the nature-nurture debate?

  They illustrate how nature can indirectly affect nurture in different ways.
• What is the nature-nurture debate about?

  It concerns the influence of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) on behavior.
• What is epigenetics in the context of the nature-nurture debate?

  It is the material in each cell that acts like switches to turn genes on or off.
• How do life experiences influence epigenetics?

  Life experiences, such as nutrition or stress, control the switches that turn genes on or off.
• Why might twins differ in weight despite having identical diets?

  Because of the epigenetic material they inherited, which has been affected by the environment.
• What does the passing on of epigenetic switches to subsequent generations imply?

  It implies that genetics and environment are interconnected and influence each other.
• What approach would be more appropriate considering the interaction of genetics and environment?

  An interactionist approach would be more appropriate.
• What is a problem with the nature-nurture debate according to the study material?

  The environment may exert an indirect effect on the brain's physiology.
• What method did Maguire et al. use to study the brains of London taxi drivers?

  They used MRI scans.
• What was compared in Maguire et al.'s study?

  The amount of grey matter in the brains of taxi drivers and non-taxi drivers.
• Which part of the brain was found to be significantly larger in taxi drivers?

  The posterior hippocampus.
• What is the function of the posterior hippocampus?

  It is responsible for spatial memory and navigation.
• How did the taxi drivers' hippocampus change according to the study?

  It responded to increased use and became larger.
• Why is the example of taxi drivers significant in the nature-nurture debate?

  It highlights how nurture can affect nature.
• What are the implications of the nature-nurture debate as illustrated by the study of taxi drivers?

  • Environment can indirectly affect brain physiology.
  • Nurture can influence the development of brain structures.
  • The debate should consider the interaction between nature and nurture.