nature-nurture

• nature-nurture debate

  the debate of the extent to which aspects of behaviour are a product of inherited (genes) or acquired (learnt) characteristics
• interactionist approach

  nature-nurture isn't really a debate because any behaviour/characteristic arises from a combination of both.

  e.g. Bowlby claimed a baby's attachment type is determine by parental love whereas Kagan proposed the innate personality of a baby also affects attachment.
• diathesis-stress model

  suggests behaviour is caused by a biological or environmental vulnerability (diathesis) which is expressed when coupled with a biological or environmental trigger. (stressor)
• epigenetics

  refers to change in genetic activity without changing the genes themselves.

  process that happens throughout life and is caused by interaction with the environment.

  aspects of our lifestyle or events leave 'marks' on DNA which switch genes on or off.
• nature

  refers to inherited influences

  argued that all human characteristics are innate
• nurture

  refers to the influence of experience and the environment

  argued that the mind is a blank slate at birth and then shaped by the environment
• strength - adoption studies

  Adoption studies separate the competing influences of nature and nurture.

  If adopted children are more similar to adoptive parents then environment has a bigger influence.

  If adopted children are more similar to biological parents then genetic factors have a bigger influence.
• counterpoint - adoption studies

  research suggests adoption studies may be misguided as nature and nurture aren't two separate entities that can be puled appart.

  People can create their own 'nurture' by selecting envornments that are appropriate for their 'nature'. Then chosen companions will further influence their development - 'niche-picking'
• strength - epigenetics

  reported that women who became pregnant during a famine in WW2 had low birth weight babies and these babies were 2x as likely to develop schizophrenia when they grew up.

  supports the view that life experiences of previous generations can leave epigenetic 'markers' that influence the health of offspring.