Nature-Nurture - Psychology Revision for Component 2 OCR PDF

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Psychology Revision for Component 2 OCR...

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Nature vs Nurture Nature - all our behaviour is a result of our genetics and we cannot change this Nurture - we are all a product of our upbringing and environments

1. Principles and Concepts: 1. The debate is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behaviour are a product of either inherited (genetic) or acquired (learned) characteristics

2. Different positions within the debate Nature: 1. The nature argument upholds that behaviour is predisposed in a person’s DNA and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors 2. Their basic assumption is that the characteristics of the human species as a whole are a product of evolution and that individual differences are due to each person’s unique genetic code. 3. In general, the earlier a particular ability appears, the more likely it is to be under the influence of genetic factors. 4. Characteristics and differences that are not observable at birth, but which emerge later in life, are regarded as the product of maturation. That is to say we all have an inner “biological clock” which switches on (or off) types of behaviour in a pre-programmed way Nurture: 1. Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external factors after conception e.g. the product of exposure, experience and learning on an individual 2. The basic assumption is that at birth the human mind is a tabula rasa (a blank slate) and that this is gradually “filled” as a result of experience and environmental interactions (e.g. behaviourism) 3. From this point of view psychological characteristics and behavioural differences that emerge through infancy and childhood are the result of learning. It is how you are brought up (nurture) that governs the psychologically significant aspects of child development

3. Research to illustrate different positions within each debate Nature

Nurture

Both

Sperry (split brain study) Casey (delay of gratification) Baron Cohen (autism in adults) Biological area

Bandura (transmitted aggression) Chaney (Funhaler study) Behaviourist perspective Social area

Kohlberg (moral development) Lee (lying and truth-telling) Maguire (taxi driver) Blakemore & Cooper (kittens) Freud (little Hans) Gould (bias in IQ testing) Developmental area Psychodynamic perspective Cognitive area Individual Differences area

5. Exam questions Describe the principles and concepts of the nature/nurture debate [4 marks] This debate is concerned with the extent to which particular aspects of behaviour are a product of either inherited factors, such as genetics, or acquired factors, such as learnt behaviour. The nature side of the debate says that behaviour is predisposed in a person’s DNA and is influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological factors, so are down to each person’s unique genetic code. Whereas the nurture side of the debate says that behaviour is due to the influence of external factors, such as the environment or those around you. It says that humans are born as a blank slate and learn behaviour from their surrounding environment.

6. To what extent does the debate link to psychology, areas and key pieces of research Nurture: 

Means that we can manipulate environments to support / improve learning



Some children will not have the experiences so may not develop as quickly / effectively



Reductionist



Deterministic

Nature: 

All children should develop at the same rate – not dependent on experience

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We do not have any control of behaviour (determinism)

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Reductionist

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Could treat behaviour with drugs / surgery? (Useful)...