Behavior: Nature vs. Nurture Essay -- genetics vs environment

For centuries psychologists have argued over which plays the larger role in pincer development, heredity or environment. One of the first theories was proposed in the ordinal century by the British philosopher John Locke. Locke believed that a child was natural with an empty mind, tabula rasa (meaning blank slate) and that everything the child learns comes from experience, nothing is established beforehand. long time later, Charles Darwin brought forth his theory of evolution, which led to a re become of the hereditarian viewpoint. With the twentieth century, however, came the filch of behaviorism. Behaviorists, like John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner, argued that a child can be do into any kind of person, regardless of their heredity. Today, most psychologists agree that both genius (genes) and nurture (environment) play an important role, not independently, but as they interact together (Atkinson, p. 72). One of the most important factors believed to influence a child are paren ts. Parents are known to share a distinctive fond regard with their children. This special bond is what enables parents to shape their children. Whether it is into free-willed adolescents, ready to challenge any controversy, or into caring adults willing to spend the seventy cents a day to hold on a poverty stricken child. Parents have the power to mold their children. climb firm, yet sensible, guidelines teaches children discipline and good behavior. Using physical abuse produces bellicose children, but having patience and understanding leaves a child better adequate to handle stress in later years. How parents raise their children influences how they will turn out (Begley, p. 53). Surprisingly, a new debate is taking place. As the author of The Nurture Assumpt... ...sweek, (September 7, 1998). p. 52-59. Edwards, Randall. Divorce Need Not Harm fryren. in squirt Welfare Opposing Viewpoints. Bender, David and Leone, Bruno, Series Editors. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1998. Ke vles, Behhyann H. and Daniel J. Scapegoat Biology. Discover, (October 1997). p. 58-62. Pinker, Steven. Against Nature. Discover, (October 1997). p. 92-95. Pool, Robert. Portrait of a cistron Guy. Discover, (October 1997). p. 51-55. Rosenblatt, Roger. A Game of Catch, Time, Vol. 152 (July 13, 1998). p. 90. Sapolsky, Robert. A Gene For Nothing, Discover, (October 1997). p. 40-46. Waldman, Steven. Divorce Harms Children. in Child Welfare Opposing Viewpoints. Bender, David and Leone, Bruno, Series Editors. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1998. Wright, Karen. Babies, Bonds, and Brains. Discover, (October 1997). p. 74-78.