Nature versus Nurture which one do you think is most important?

Billy Wood
IDST 01H
The Examined Life
Discussion Board Week Two

Nature versus Nurture which one do you think is most important?
Proponents of the nature theory believe that all behavior is determined by our genetic makeup, or hereditary traits, and that the environment has no effect. Proponents of the nurture theory believe that environment, not genetics; shape a person’s personality and behavior. A third school of thought believes that both nature and nurture work together in affecting human behavior (Meyers, 2004). I will attempt to argue in favor of this third school of thought.

Every human is composed of chromosomes. Chromosomes contain DNA. DNA is the blueprint for our genetic make-up (National Institutes of Health, 2010). Genes or, “the biochemical units of heredity”, make up the chromosomes (Meyers, 2004). Studies conclude that this genetic information is objective and empirical. A theory that closely corresponds with the study of genetics is that of Natural Selection.
One of the principles of natural selection states that certain genes influence behavioral tendencies and informational processing systems. Evolutionary psychologists, via the principles of natural selection, study the relationship of evolution to human behavior. They believe that inherited behaviors allowed for man to adapt, reproduce, and survive. They should consider the impact of human experiences as well.

Experiences are formed from our social and cultural interactions and environment as we progress through life. According to Doctor David Meyers, the effects of genes and experiences are “intertwined” (Meyers, 2004). This intertwining begins at birth. Meyer’s points out that experience(s) in life helps form who we are. Environmental experiences that affect human behavior include; the prenatal environment, parental influences, peer influences, culture, gender roles, and groups. Some experiences are more subjective and difficult to prove empirically.
Sociology delves into the impact that environment plays on human behavior. Sociologists study cultural and social environmental impacts on human behavior. In their approach, they study tendencies based on groups of people versus individuals. Groups can be more objective and empirical. This information can be beneficial to establish a link between heredity and experience.

Nature and Nurture should be viewed as equals. Human behavior is comprised of elements from both schools of thought. Behavioral geneticists study the power and limits of genetic and environmental factors of human behavior. They attempt to determine how much of our behavior is determined by nature and how much by nurture. One day the combination of the two schools of thought may prove valuable in predicting human behavior.

William M. Wood Jr.

2011

Bibliography
Meyers, D. G. (2004). Psychology Seventh Edition in Modules. New York: Worth Publishers.
National Institutes of Health. (2010, June 14). Fact Sheet Human Genome Project. Retrieved 9 4, 2010, from Genome.gov All about the Human Genome Project: http://www.genome.gov/10001772