(O'Neill, 2001, p. 34)
There is growing evidence to support the claim that certain behaviors are in found hardwired in your DNA. Conventional thinking had usually been that children are always products of their environment and it is this ecological surroundings that often is at the root cause of either good or bad behavior. But looked at from another viewpoint, it could be possible that their environment, which is generated in large part by their parents, is a consequence of parental genetics as well and not the simply the environmental cause of the behavior. A recent research study at the University of Virginia concluded that:
naughty youngsters aren't simply copying behavior they may have been subjected to at home. Instead, traits such as bullying, lying, or being argumentative could be passed on in the genes. The research, from the University of Virginia, indicates that some children would be badly behaved no matter how loving or caring an environment they grew up in. ("Are Some Youngsters Simply," 2007, p. 25)
Then again what about child prodigies?
What was once though of as an innate propensity, gifted children or child prodigies' development may be attributable to parents' passionate efforts in care and nurturing. This has created a construct named the Potentiality-Enrichment Theory which identifies giftedness as a complex process which involves an amalgamation of, "ability, intrinsic motivation, and a cognitively stimulating home environment" (Bain, Choate & Bliss, 2006). There is considerable evidence that children who are gifted often receive positive feedback and enrichment form their families. However the final answer to the question remains uncertain. Is it because the family praises that these children are gifted, or is it because they are gifted that the family praises them? Although the jury may still be out on that, growing evidence concludes that it is certainly a combination of the two (Churchland, 2007, p.47).
The real beginnings of the nature vs. nurture argument as to which is the true source of individual difference in human beings truly began scientifically at the end of the nineteenth century. Although training children is as old and older than the Bible and the urge to allow them to grow naturally with no encumbrance from society was the certainly the Rousseau school of childhood development; it has only been in the last two hundred years that the debate has reached its current state. Furthermore, over the last two decades this debate has gained wider and wider scientific interest. The areas of behavioral genetics...
Nurture Wins Nature/Nurture The debate of nature vs. nurture has persisted with intensity over time. Some scholars contend that this debate can be traced back to the times of ancient Greece. In the debate, nature may be referred to as nativism, or innatism. The side of nature contends that a person's natural, in-born, or innate qualities have more of an influence over the person's life. Nurture refers to personal experience, context, and
Nature or Nurture Nature vs. Nurture Is one shaped by nature or by nurture? This question of nature vs. nurture has been the center of controversy since the beginning of time. Insomuch, some feel that a living organism, such as animals, human beings, or cells may be influenced by external or internal stimuli based on one's environment. With such a huge divergence of perspectives on the issue, the nature-nurture debate is prominent
Nature vs. Nurture in Criminology The nature/nurture issue has been a controversy in professional circles for many years. In criminology then, some hold that criminal behavior is socially (nurture) influenced, while others are of the opinion that genetics (nature) play a substantial role. While it is true that the environment in which a person is raised plays an important role in possible criminal tendencies, studies show that the innate nature of
Nature vs. Nurture ADHD as an Example of Nature vs. Nurture There are several schools of thought that address the way in which human beings develop their personality and behavioral traits. Some psychologists believe that traits tend to be innate, written into the individual's genetic code and thus inborn and largely predicted from conception (Gonzales-Mena, 2009). On the other hand, other psychologists believe that while individuals have genetic traits that may predispose
We're taking the radical position that the smarter thing is to just say 'neither' -- to throw out the debate as it has been historically framed and embrace the alternative perspective provided by developmental systems theory." (Science Daily, 2009) And research does seem to suggest that such a view is valid. Jay Belsky and Michael Pluess (2009), for example, review the related literature concerning the concept of plasticity to show
The general public has come to accept the sway of almighty genes in the human personality and destiny (De Waal). Studies of the behaviors of chimpanzees and bonobos illustrate striking similarities to human behaviors and suggest evolution and kinship (De Waal 1999). These range from politics, child rearing to violence and morality. There is no place for a blank slate. Human beings are naturally selfish and aggressive or they have
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