Subjects

Careers

Open the App

Subjects

Nature vs Nurture: Easy Examples and Notes for AQA A Level Psychology

Open

15

0

user profile picture

libby Moxey

06/03/2023

Psychology

Nature vs Nurture notes

Nature vs Nurture: Easy Examples and Notes for AQA A Level Psychology

The nature vs nurture debate in psychology explores the relative influences of genetics versus the environment in determining human behavior and development. This fundamental question has shaped psychological research and theory for decades. Nature vs nurture psychology examines how biological factors like genes interact with environmental experiences to influence traits, abilities, and mental health.

Key points:

  • Nature refers to innate biological factors
  • Nurture encompasses environmental influences and experiences
  • Most psychologists now favor an interactionist approach recognizing both nature and nurture
  • Epigenetics reveals how environmental factors can affect gene expression
  • Twin studies provide insight into genetic vs environmental contributions
  • The debate has implications for understanding and treating psychological disorders
...

06/03/2023

835

Nature vs Nurture
• nature - Our behaviour and thinking is the result of our genes, evolution and
other biological factors. All behaviour is

View

Psychological Approaches on the Nature-Nurture Continuum

This page examines how different psychological approaches align on the nature-nurture continuum, illustrating the varying emphasis placed on biological versus environmental factors.

The approaches are positioned as follows:

  1. Biological approach: Strongly emphasizes nature
  2. Psychodynamic approach: Leans towards nature but considers nurture
  3. Cognitive approach: Balances nature and nurture
  4. Humanistic psychology: Leans towards nurture but acknowledges nature
  5. Behaviorist approach: Strongly emphasizes nurture

Example: The cognitive approach posits that information processing abilities are innate naturenature but refined through experience nurturenurture.

The page also provides examples of theories and explanations that illustrate different positions on the nature-nurture spectrum:

  1. Bowlby's attachment theory naturenature
  2. Biological explanations of OCD naturenature
  3. Mowrer's two-process model of phobias nurturenurture
  4. Authoritarian personality development interactionistinteractionist

These examples demonstrate how various psychological phenomena can be understood through different lenses within the nature vs nurture debate.

Nature vs Nurture
• nature - Our behaviour and thinking is the result of our genes, evolution and
other biological factors. All behaviour is

View

Epigenetics and the Interactionist Approach

This page delves into epigenetics as a key concept supporting the interactionist approach in the nature vs nurture debate in psychology.

Definition: Epigenetics refers to changes in genetic activity without altering the underlying DNA sequence, resulting from interactions with the environment.

Key points about epigenetics:

  1. Environmental factors can influence gene expression
  2. Lifestyle and experiences leave "marks" on our genes
  3. Epigenetic changes can be inherited by future generations

Example: The agouti gene in mice, responsible for coat color, can be influenced by the mother's diet, demonstrating how environmental factors nutritionnutrition can affect genetic expression.

The page then discusses the benefits and drawbacks of taking extreme nature or nurture approaches:

Benefits of nature approach:

  • Explains behaviors using biological factors
  • Enables development of biological treatments

Drawbacks of nature approach:

  • Ignores environmental influences

Benefits of nurture approach:

  • Explains behaviors through environmental factors
  • Enables development of behavioral treatments

Drawbacks of nurture approach:

  • Ignores biological influences

This analysis highlights the limitations of extreme positions and supports the value of an interactionist perspective in understanding human behavior and psychological phenomena.

Nature vs Nurture
• nature - Our behaviour and thinking is the result of our genes, evolution and
other biological factors. All behaviour is

View

Practical Applications and Evaluating Nature vs Nurture

This final page explores practical applications of nature and nurture perspectives in psychology and evaluates the challenges in separating their influences.

Practical applications:

  1. Nature-based interventions: Drug treatments
  2. Nurture-based interventions: Behavior modification, systematic desensitization, flooding

The difficulty in separating nature and nurture is illustrated through twin studies:

Example: Higher concordance rates in monozygotic MZMZ twins compared to dizygotic DZDZ twins suggest a genetic basis for psychological characteristics. However, even MZ twins don't show 100% concordance, indicating environmental influences.

This observation supports the interactionist approach, recognizing the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors.

Highlight: The interactionist approach acknowledges that nature and nurture are interconnected and mutually influential in shaping human behavior.

Example: An introverted individual atraitwithastronggeneticcomponenta trait with a strong genetic component may choose quieter environments and smaller social circles, demonstrating how nature personalitypersonality influences nurture environmentalchoicesenvironmental choices.

The page concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering both nature and nurture in understanding psychological phenomena, as neither can be fully separated from the other in real-world contexts.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

21 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

 

Psychology

835

6 Mar 2023

4 pages

Nature vs Nurture: Easy Examples and Notes for AQA A Level Psychology

The nature vs nurture debate in psychology explores the relative influences of genetics versus the environment in determining human behavior and development. This fundamental question has shaped psychological research and theory for decades. Nature vs nurture psychologyexamines how biological... Show more

Nature vs Nurture
• nature - Our behaviour and thinking is the result of our genes, evolution and
other biological factors. All behaviour is

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Psychological Approaches on the Nature-Nurture Continuum

This page examines how different psychological approaches align on the nature-nurture continuum, illustrating the varying emphasis placed on biological versus environmental factors.

The approaches are positioned as follows:

  1. Biological approach: Strongly emphasizes nature
  2. Psychodynamic approach: Leans towards nature but considers nurture
  3. Cognitive approach: Balances nature and nurture
  4. Humanistic psychology: Leans towards nurture but acknowledges nature
  5. Behaviorist approach: Strongly emphasizes nurture

Example: The cognitive approach posits that information processing abilities are innate naturenature but refined through experience nurturenurture.

The page also provides examples of theories and explanations that illustrate different positions on the nature-nurture spectrum:

  1. Bowlby's attachment theory naturenature
  2. Biological explanations of OCD naturenature
  3. Mowrer's two-process model of phobias nurturenurture
  4. Authoritarian personality development interactionistinteractionist

These examples demonstrate how various psychological phenomena can be understood through different lenses within the nature vs nurture debate.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Epigenetics and the Interactionist Approach

This page delves into epigenetics as a key concept supporting the interactionist approach in the nature vs nurture debate in psychology.

Definition: Epigenetics refers to changes in genetic activity without altering the underlying DNA sequence, resulting from interactions with the environment.

Key points about epigenetics:

  1. Environmental factors can influence gene expression
  2. Lifestyle and experiences leave "marks" on our genes
  3. Epigenetic changes can be inherited by future generations

Example: The agouti gene in mice, responsible for coat color, can be influenced by the mother's diet, demonstrating how environmental factors nutritionnutrition can affect genetic expression.

The page then discusses the benefits and drawbacks of taking extreme nature or nurture approaches:

Benefits of nature approach:

  • Explains behaviors using biological factors
  • Enables development of biological treatments

Drawbacks of nature approach:

  • Ignores environmental influences

Benefits of nurture approach:

  • Explains behaviors through environmental factors
  • Enables development of behavioral treatments

Drawbacks of nurture approach:

  • Ignores biological influences

This analysis highlights the limitations of extreme positions and supports the value of an interactionist perspective in understanding human behavior and psychological phenomena.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Practical Applications and Evaluating Nature vs Nurture

This final page explores practical applications of nature and nurture perspectives in psychology and evaluates the challenges in separating their influences.

Practical applications:

  1. Nature-based interventions: Drug treatments
  2. Nurture-based interventions: Behavior modification, systematic desensitization, flooding

The difficulty in separating nature and nurture is illustrated through twin studies:

Example: Higher concordance rates in monozygotic MZMZ twins compared to dizygotic DZDZ twins suggest a genetic basis for psychological characteristics. However, even MZ twins don't show 100% concordance, indicating environmental influences.

This observation supports the interactionist approach, recognizing the complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors.

Highlight: The interactionist approach acknowledges that nature and nurture are interconnected and mutually influential in shaping human behavior.

Example: An introverted individual atraitwithastronggeneticcomponenta trait with a strong genetic component may choose quieter environments and smaller social circles, demonstrating how nature personalitypersonality influences nurture environmentalchoicesenvironmental choices.

The page concludes by emphasizing the importance of considering both nature and nurture in understanding psychological phenomena, as neither can be fully separated from the other in real-world contexts.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Nature vs Nurture Debate Overview

The nature vs nurture debate in psychology examines the relative influence of genetics versus environmental factors in shaping human behavior and development. This page provides an overview of the key concepts and approaches within this fundamental debate.

Definition: Nature refers to innate biological factors like genes and evolution that influence behavior, while nurture encompasses environmental influences and experiences.

The main perspectives in this debate include:

  1. Nature perspective: Behavior results primarily from biological factors
  2. Nurture perspective: Behavior is learned through environmental experiences
  3. Interactionist approach: Behavior stems from an interaction between nature and nurture

Highlight: The interactionist approach is now widely accepted, recognizing that both genes and environment play interconnected roles in human development.

An important concept in the interactionist view is the diathesis-stress model:

Example: In the diathesis-stress model, a genetic predisposition for a disorder like OCD may only manifest when triggered by environmental stressors.

This integrative approach provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding complex human behaviors and psychological phenomena.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user