“Major” debates in PsychologyNATURE NURTURE

Learning Objectives

To introduce the nature and nurture debate

To examine the significance of this debate to Psychological theory

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness

thrust upon them”

William Shakespeare, Twelfth night: act II, Scene V

Using Shakespeare’s famous quote as a clue, can you separate this list of words

into two groups?Culture

Nature

Learned

Inherited

Hereditary

Genetic

Innate

Environmental

Biological

Social

Nurture

Acquired

Culture Innate

Learned Inherited

Environmental Hereditary

Social Genetic

Acquired Biological

Nurture Nature

TASK

Now, IN NO MORE THAN 50 WORDS, explain how you decided on the make-up of your two groups. Try to avoid using any of the listed words in your explanation

How would I do this?Culture Innate

Learned Inherited

Environmental Hereditary

Social Genetic

Acquired Biological

Nurture Nature

The group on the left are all words which describe ways in which we develop because of the way we are brought up. The words on the right are all used to describe the way behaviour can be inborn or comes from our parents (44 words)

NATURE vs. NURTURE

Theorists tend to explain behaviour in terms of one of two factors

NATURE NURTURE

Genetics, biochemistry and physiology (Biological make-up)

Socialisation, learning and experience.(Environmental factors)

PRACTISING PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Identify on your grid, things which…

…are definitely a product of nature

…are definitely a product of nurture

…are probably due to a mixture of both

Watch the short clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMbf8R9BPyg

What issues does this raise in relation to the Nature Nurture debate?

The Nature Nurture debate in Psychology: The standing of the

different approaches

NATURE NURTURE

BIOPSYCHOLOGYFocuses on genetic, physiological, hormonal and neurochemical explanations of behaviour

PSYCHOANALYSISFocuses on instinctual drives of sex and aggression, expressed within the restrictions imposed by society via the ego and superego

COGNITIVEFocuses on innate information processing abilities or schemata that are constantly refined by experience

HUMANISMWhile accepting basic psychological needs, the focus is upon the person’s experience of their social and physical environment.

BEHAVIOURISMFocuses on the acquisition of virtually all behaviour from the environment via conditioning.

Look at the arguments/standpoint that you have been given

You have 5 minutes to read through your argument(s), make brief notes in your own words and be ready to pass this information on to the rest of the class to put on to their ‘scales’.

Against Nurture/For NatureFor Nurture/Against Nature

NATURE NURTURE DEBATE

Where do you stand?

NATURE NURTURE

Place yourselves on the continuum and prepare to justify your reasoning as a psychologist!