Nature vs. Nurture

On of the greatest areas of controversy in the study of
human behaviour is the nature-nurture debate.

Nature argument – behaviour is determined by our
inherited, genetic structure. It is also called innate
behaviour.

Nurture argument – behaviour is the result of learning
and experience resulting from outside factors such as
parents, media, peers and religion. It is also called
learned behaviour.
Nature vs. Nurture

At the time of conception each of us inherited 23
chromosomes from the sperm or our biological
father and 23 chromosomes from the ovum of our
biological mother.

These 46 chromosomes lined up into 23 matching pairs,
each containing thousands of genes. Each of these genes
possesses a piece of information that guides our
development from embryo to maturity.

Genes determine our hair colour, eye colour, height and
all other physical characteristics.
Nature vs. Nurture

The question researchers now ask is whether genes
also determine aspects of our personality such as
intelligence, sense of humour, temperament and
love interests.

Is our behaviour the result of genes,
environmental factors,
- or both?