The nature-nurture debate

• Nature - behaviour is seen to be a product of biological factors
• What agrees with nature?

  Twin studies for mental disorders have higher concordance rates in MZ twins than DZ twins.

  Bowlby proposed that attachment was adaptive because it meant that an infant was more likely to be protected. Therefore attachment behaviours are evolutionary & naturally selected which can only be done through genetic mutations.
• Nurture - behaviour is a product of environmental influences . Involves prenatal & postnatal factors
• Prenatal factors for nurture - physical or psychological influences
• Postnatal factors for nurture - social conditions, cultural & historical context
• What agrees with nurture?

  Behaviourist approach believes all behaviour is learnt and people are born as 'blank slates'.

  Double bind theory for explanations of schizophrenia.
• Interactionist approach - behaviour is a product of both biological & environmental influences
• What agrees with the interactionist approach?

  Attachment: Bowlby claimed that a baby's attachment type is determined by the warmth & continuity of parental love (nurture) & Kagan proposed the baby's temperament (nature) also affects attachment

  Diathesis-stress model: mental illness is caused by a biological vulnerability which is only expressed when coupled with a biological or environmental 'trigger'
• Nature-Nurture AO3:

  • Can’t be separated
  • Nature affects nurture
  • Nurture affects nature
  • Epigenetics