Evaluation

• +Evidence to support interactionism -Twin studies

  -McGuffin found that Mz twins showed a 46% concordance rate for depression compared to 20% in Dz twins.

  -Nans et al found 61-80% concordance rate in Mz twins for obesity. This supports the influence of heredity on behaviour and the fact that 100% concordance rate had not been found in depression or obesity and found the environment influences behaviour.
• -Niche picking

  -Plomin suggests people create their own nurture by actively selecting an environment that is suited to their 'nature'. A child who is musically gifted is likely to seek opportunities associated with music.

  -Nature influences chosen environment further shapes behaviour.
• +Practical applications:

  -can modify behaviour and treat mental illness with therapies. Behaviourist research by Pavlov found behaviour is influenced by conditioning. e.g. systematic desensitisation.

  -Biological research of behaviour found the SERT gene influences the level of serotonin which resulted in drug therapy SSRI's.
• -Ethical implications and social sensitivity:


  -Research seeking to find the genetic causes of behaviour may result in prejudice/stigma towards the mother as they carry the gene.

  -Research which finds behaviour is a result of nurture may result in parent being blamed for mental heath issues.