Psychology

M1 Analyse one debate in developmental psychology

Nature and nurture relates to the importance of a child's innate qualities, being yourself and being who you are. Nature is defined as the DNA of a child, while nurture is their destiny. The causes of human development are different behaviour traits either innate, genetic and internal. Both nature and nurture influence each other. Francis Galton believed that the ability is inherited, but on the other hand George W. Holden says that the way a child turns out in life can be determined by there social environment and also by decision made by there parents who guide them by childhood. Throughout the years researchers has been done in nature and nurture controversy and nearly everyone thinks that both nature and nurture play a role in human development .This has been known as interactionism. Interactionism is a theoretical perspective that derives social processes from human interaction, it is the study how people act in society.

Most of the researchers in the late twentieth century has studied on twins that were separated at birth. In studying pairs, psychologists can be certain that twins have genetic component. There are many cases that have occurred of twins being separated at birth and being reunited later in life to find out that they have a lot in common. One of the studies reported was in 1995 New Yorker article by Thomas Bouchared , he was a professor of psychology and was a founder of the twin and adoptive research.

Those who adopt extreme heredity position are known as nativists,the characteristics of human species are a product of evolution and the differences are each persons unique genetic code .Psychological characteristics and behaviour differences that happen through childhood are the result of learning . This is how you are brought up (nurture). There are to many facts of the argument which is 'all or nothing' view , so asking if child development is down to nature or nurture the question has been...