Nature vs Nurture

Nature vs Nurture

University of Phoenix

PSY 240

October 20, 2012

Olivia Fransis

I believe it is flawed to ask how much of a particular behavior is due to genetics and how much is due to experience because there isn’t a way of determining what made the individual who they are. Everybody has infinite amount of genetic background and experience combinations. Nature and nurture both factor in to how an individual develops. You may have two individuals who have experienced the same thing but have had different results following the experience even if they are genetically the same.

An example of this would be two siblings that grow up in the same environment and with the same experiences with their parents but one child may take the experiences and use them to build their character while the other may take it negatively and become distant from the family. Genetically one child may be prone to having an addictive personality while the other won’t have it at all.

It is important to separate the influences of genetics and experience when assess the development of distinctions among individuals because for most situations, the genetic factor can’t be challenged but the things that an individual learns through experience show that an individual can learn or unlearn anything they process as being wanted or unwanted. These experiences can be the basis of an individual’s values, morals, and ethical beliefs.

As the preceding paragraphs show, nature and nurture will always be argued because there are compelling arguments from each one. Everyone is different and we will probably never know for sure what it is that makes us into who we are.

Citations

Pinel, J. P. J. (2011). Biopsychology. (8th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.