Nature vs. Nurture
One of the greatest areas of controversy in the study of
human behaviour is the naturenature-nurture debate.
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?