Nature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment

Nature is defined in our textbooks as “the hereditary information we receive from our parents at the time of conception.” (Berk, 2014, p. 5) Nurture is defined as “the complex forces of the physical and social world that influence our biological makeup and psychological experiences before and after birth.” (Berk, 2014, p. 5) In other words nature links to our biology and nurture is all the other influences. Of course it is never as simple as that, our genetics can influence our behavior and our environment can influence our genetics. Trying to figure out where one influence starts and another begins will keep modern researchers busy for a very long time.

Nature plays an important role and shapes a human's lifestyle. The question is which has a greater influence, Nature genes that we're born with or Nurture the environment we live in? Nowadays people tend to live and act based on their Genes. Genes can be anything from a person's height, hair color, eye color, fatigue, personality, and behaviors. Humans have been inheriting traits from decades ago. Nevertheless, Researchers and Psychologists and Scientists think that Genes are the answer to our actions. I agree with them because “You inherit your environment just as much as your genes" – Johnny Rich. This essay will persuade the reader as to why I chose Nature, why/how is it more important than Nurture, provide case studies/examples and reasons for Nature's importance.

The classic debated topic of Nature versus Nurture has been and will always be a quarrelsome subject in the scientific world. Meaning, the issue of the level to which environment and heredity sway behavior and development in a person. Nature can be defined as, behaviors due to heredity. This means the behaviors is based on the inherited makeup of an individual and is an influence of the growth and development of that individuals’ all through life. On the other hand nurture is causes of behaviors that are environmental. This Intel’s the influence is from the individual’s parents, siblings, family, friends and all other experiences that individual exposed to during life. However, these concept of ideas supports the inborn genetic framework,

When examining human development, the universal idea of conflict between nature and nurture often arises. The argument presented by the “Nature vs Nurture” debate is extremely controversial and has been discussed and critiqued for decades. “Nurture” is cited as being a combination of elements from one’s environment and experiences that shapes a person and their life, whereas “Nature” is cited as being a combination of genetic and hereditary aspects that dictates who a person is and will become. The controversy surrounding the argument most directly stems from the differences of views on whether or not nature or nurture affects a person’s life more. Historians, scientists, psychologists, and everyday philosophers have all studied this uncertainty, and many of whom have developed countless theories. Among these is the

Nature versus nurture is one of the most controversial topics of discussion among human beings. For many years, phycologist’s have been studying various people’s behavioral patterns in order to settle the debate. The argument of nature suggests that a person is born with a pre-conceived set of personality traits that determine the way they will act for the rest of their life. That is to say that all characteristics of a person, not just physical appearance, are passed down through genetics. The case with nurture states the idea that every person, no matter where they are from, is born with a blank slate. In other words, asserting that the behavior of someone is solely a result of their surroundings. This subject often comes up when a person

Through history, the idea of nature vs. nurture has been a hotly debated issue. Nature, or genetics is often believed to be the most important aspect of a persons’ upbringing, as nature is something intrinsic to any one person. However, many debate that nurture, or the care and encouragement of any human life, trumps nature. The earliest evidence and rebuttals of these theories have been honed and developed over time by specific psychologists and educational theorists – all who hoped to prove their own ideas as fact at one time in history.

The issues pitting nature against nurture are exceptionally significant for the gamut of discoveries that attribute an increasing proportion of traits and behaviours to one's genetic makeup. The resulting variety of physical shortcomings and limitations in each person has, for centuries, been countered by endeavours to improve or interfere where necessary, and every individual is consequently the product of a delicate middle path of balance between the two.

Both nature and nurture plays a very significant role in the psychological and overall development of a child. Physical appearances and traits such as the colour of the hair or the height of an individual are normally acquired from generation to generation through genes. So much so, environment can change the physique of a person in many ways. For instance, a short boy who is eager to be tall may consume more protein and play more sports that require him to jump. Abnormalities such as Down syndrome and albinism occur due to genetic defects in

The basic elements of the nature-nurture controversy, debates the genetic or environmental effects of IQ, personality and behavioral differences in humans. Nature describes an inherited trait, otherwise known as the genes, containing the genetic code for each individual born. These genes contribute the physical characteristics, for example: eye color, skin pigmentation, hair texture, blood type, longevity, etc. Genes impose certain diseases, such as Huntington 's Chorea, Breast Cancer, Down Syndrome, and many more. Nurture describes an influence on the individual by the surrounding environment. This surrounding environment includes: parenting, culture, learned experiences, nutrition, exposure to toxins, pollutants and medications. In summary, scholars have been in debate for years over the issue determining the development of an individual from birth to an adult. Are issue of IQ, personality and behavior, inborn or are they learned? Or is it both? The nature-nurture controversy continues still today (McLeod, S. A. (2007).

In society, not one person is alike. By saying this, many people believe that they strongly take after their parents. Meaning they think Nature is a big part in their life and why they are who they are. The genes in each cell in us humans determine the different traits that we have, more dominantly on the physical connections like eye color, hair color, ear size, height, and other traits. However, it is still not known whether the more abstract attributes like personality, intelligence, sexual orientation, likes and dislikes are gene-coded in our DNA. The nurture theory has experiments showing a child’s behavior with the environment as to adult behavior. In the Nature Vs Nurture debate, everyone has their own thoughts and ideas on each

Society has isolated genetics and the environment into two separate components. When in reality nature and nurture coincide. Both genetic and environmental components influence an individual and contribute to their molding. In my perspective nature verses nurture should not be considered a valid debate. There are too many variables that contribute to an individual’s identity to suggest that genetics or environmental surroundings are the primary force that shapes an individual.

Nature does not simply determine our physical traits. In Alina Tugend’s article, “For the Best of the Best, Determination Outweighs Nature and Nurture,” Tugend

The author stated many different interactions between nature and nurture. One nurtures interaction the author stated was that “human traits are biologically pasted down by parents”. I strongly agree with the author and believe that some traits are biologically pasted down by parents. For example,

The nature vs. nurture debate is one that has persisted throughout generations of scientists and neuroscientists. Some believe that all aspects of human behavior and human functioning are strictly hereditary, passed down from the parents through genetics. Others believe that the environment has a much greater impact, and can determine one’s personality and intelligence. However, this issue is not as black and white as it might appear. While genetics might have more power than the environment, it is my belief that both are equally important in the shaping of one’s personality and behavior.

Scientists and biologist have argued the Nature versus Nurture debate for decades. This debate argues the degree to which our genetics or environment, affects our behaviour and developmental stages. Nature is described as the genetic material that makes up an individual. Nurture can be described as the way in which the environment and experiences of an individual influence their behavior and development. The debate has centered on which is a greater factor for many years but current contemporary views accept and acknowledge the intricacy of the developmental procedure and recognize that “development is not the case of nature or nurture, but rather nature and nurture” (Howard & Walton 2015) It has been shown that genetic and environmental factors are in such continuous interactions that the emergence of particular structures and functions is the result of the dependent interaction of genetics and environment.(Lewkowicz, 2011.)