nature and nurture

• Behaviourism

  Behaviourists argue the most important influences on behaviour are environmental factors (nurture). Rewarding experiences causes behaviours to be repeated. But even with this approach, there is some role for nature, including innate reflex actions. For example, a dog does not have to be trained to drool when presented with food.
• SLT

  Social learning theorists explain behaviour through nurture, including the direct stimulus-response mechanisms of behaviourists and social experiences (nurture), such as observing models and vicarious reinforcement.
• Cognitive approach

  Cognitive psychologists argue both aspects are important, as internal mental processes run on the physical, biological hardware of the brain. However, the cognitive approach can be argued to be closer to the nurture argument, as their explanations of mental processes, such as schemas, are formed through experiences in the world.
• Biological approach

  The most important influence on behaviour are hereditary (nature), they explain behaviour as due to the inheritance of DNA, this codes for biological processes such as neurotransmitter transport in the brain, imbalances in this system leading to behaviour such as increased aggression or mental health conditions.
• Psychodynamic approach

  Psychodynamics include both nature and nurture within its theorists; for example, the psychosexual stages are a biological process that all children will experience; however, the experiences the children have while passing through these stages shape personality they will have as adults.
• Humanistic approach

  Humanists are holists, which means they argue that any valid explanation of behaviour has to include a wide range of factors and how those factors interact. These factors include the influence of genes, so nature but also nurture, including all environmental influences from direct experiences to wider cultures.