Nature vs. Nurture

Just the other day in my biology class, we came across the topic “Nature vs. Nurture”. I was interested in learning more, and immediately thought I needed to write a blog about it. So, if you’re interested, stick around to learn with me.

First, what is “Nature vs. Nurture”?

Nature refers to our genes and biological factors, which you can think of pre-wiring (1). Some examples include our physical appearance, and personality characteristics (2). Nurture refers to environmental variables and external factors that influence who we are. Some examples include our childhood experience, how we’re raised, social relationships, and our surrounding culture (2).

What is the debate?

“Nature vs. Nurture” is a debate over which concept actually influences who we are today; our human behaviour encompassing personality, cognitive traits, temperament, and psychopathology (1). Even today, depending on what branch of psychology you look at, they each have their own emphasis as to whether “Nature” or “Nurture”. But, most experts recognize that both play a huge role in their own way, and both interact in many important ways in day to day life. Did you know that this debate is actually one of the oldest issues in Psychology? The term was first coined in the mid-1800s, but the discussion has dated all the way back to when Hippocrates was alive. Philosophers like Plato and Descartes suggest that some things are pre-wired. That they happen regardless, these being your “Nature” concept (2). Others such as Locke believe that we all start as a “blank-slate”. That our experiences define who we are, these being your “Nurture” concept (2).

There are definitely some traits that are biologically determined such as eye color and hair color, but there are also other traits such as height that can heavily be influenced by the environment. For example, a child might have the gene for being tall, but if they don’t have enough nutrition, they will never reach their maximum potential for being tall. This is a perfect example of showing the interaction between heredity and the environment (2). Another example would be that if a child had a gifted talent, they would still need to work hard in order to manifest their ability. Otherwise, they might get somewhere, but not really reach their full potential.

Mental health-wise, it’s very common for mental health disorders to run in the family, meaning that if you have a relative with the illness, you have an increased likelihood of developing it (3). Depending on the environment you grow up in, that could also affect your predisposition to it. The concept applies the same to physical health. You might have a family history of a certain illness, but you can possibly decrease your risk through being conscious of how the environment affects you.

Additionally, parenting styles have a big influence on children's behaviour. Depending on how parents behave around their child, they can reinforce either positive and negative influences on their children. Which definitely makes sense. Being children, they easily pick up on whatever they observe, and are extremely likely to reflect their parents.

If you’ve ever wondered if who you are today is set in stone since the beginning, or if you were influenced by your environment, there is no definite answer yet, but there is definitely a correlation between the two.

Since my next blog will be after Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving to you, and stay safe and healthy over the holidays ❤

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Works Cited

(1) McLeod, Saul. "Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology." Simply Psychology, 2018,

www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html. Accessed 14 Nov. 2020.

(2) Cherry, Kendra. "The Age Old Debate of Nature vs. Nurture." Edited by David

Susman. Verywell Mind, Dotdash, 3 June 2020, www.verywellmind.com/

what-is-nature-versus-nurture-2795392. Accessed 14 Nov. 2020.

(3) "Nature vs. Nurture Theory: Is It In Our Genes or Our Environment?"

MedicineNet, www.medicinenet.com/

nature_vs_nurture_theory_genes_or_environment/article.htm. Accessed 14 Nov.

2020.