Nature vs. Nurture
- Nature vs. Nurture examines the extent to which a person’s behavior is influenced by both internal and external factors.
- Nature refers to the genetic and biological factors. This includes genetics, brain structure, hormones, and innate abilities.
- Nurture, on the other hand, includes external factors, such as upbringing, cultural norms, trauma, relationships, and opportunities.
- Modern psychology agrees that both nature and nurture tend to interact with each other. This process is known as epigenetics, where environmental factors can influence how certain genes are expressed.
- For instance: A person may have a genetic predisposition for higher intelligence, but when that person lives in a country where proper education is not fully funded by the government, their potential may not be fully realized.
- Understanding how genetics and environment contribute to conditions like anxiety, depression and PTSD.
- Furthermore, studying how behavior is affected by both biological and environmental factors helps inform rehabiliation approaches.