About.com About Education Psychology . Psychology Glossary: N Index What Is Nature Versus Nurture? By Kendra Cherry Psychology Expert Share this Ads Psychology Study Psychology Online Child Clinical Psychology Social Psychology Studies Environment Definition: Is your behavior more influenced by genetics or environmental influences? Is your personality the result of traits you inherited or has it been shaped by your life experiences? The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in Which is more important in development: genetics or experience? psychology. The debate The nature versus nurture debate seeks to answer this important centers on the relative question. Bec Parsons / Getty Images contributions of genetic PSYCHOLOGY CATEGORIES inheritance and environmental factors to human development. Psychology Dictionary: Terms from A to Z Some philosophers such as Plato and Descartes suggested that certain things are inborn, or that they simply occur naturally regardless of environmental influences. People Branches of Psychology who take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics are the result of inheritance are known as nativists. Other well-known thinkers such as John Locke Psychology 101: The Basics believed in what is known as tabula rasa, which suggests that the mind begins as a blank slate. According to this notion, everything that we are and all of our knowledge is Careers in Psychology determined by our experience. People who take the position that all or most behaviors Psychology Quizzes and characteristics are the result of learning are known as empiricists. Behavioral Psychology Ads Examples of Nature Versus Nurture Become a Psychologist Personality Psychology psychology.comparetopschools.co For example, when a person achieves tremendous academic success, did they do m Developmental VIEWPsychology MORE Find Colleges & Universities With so because they are genetically predisposed to be successful or is it a result of an Degree Programs in Psychology. Cognitive Psychology enriched environment? If a man abuses his Most Wanted Mind Secrets wife and kids, is it because he was born with Social Psychology silvamindbodyhealing.com/FreeGuid violent tendencies or is it something he e learned by observing his own parents History of Psychology Learn From The Legend Jose Silva behavior? Learn About Silva Mind Body Psychology Research Methods Healing A few examples of biologically determined characteristics (nature) include certain Psychotherapy 2014 Best Skin Tighteners genetic diseases, eye color, hair color, and www.skincaresearch.com/FaceLiftin skin color. Other things like life expectancy g and height have a strong biological An Unbiased Review List of The Top component, but they are also influenced by Performing Skin Tighteners In 2014 environmental factors and lifestyle. • Human Nature An example of a nativist theory within " ! psychology is Chomsky's concept of a • Disc Personality Test language acquisition device (or LAD). 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 According to this theory, all children are Click for Price View All Inventory • Genes born with an instinctive mental capacity that allows them to both learn and produce • A2 Level Psychology language. • Brain Memory CapacitySearch... Share this A number of characteristics are tied to TODAY'S TOP 5 PICKS IN environmental influences. How a person EDUCATION behaves can be tied to influence such as parenting styles and learned experiences. For example, a child might learn through 21 Strategies To observation and reinforcement to say 'please' and 'thank you.' Another child might learn 5 Improve ACT Scores to behave aggressively by observing older children engage in violent behavior on the By Kelly Roell playground. Test Prep Expert Ads One example of an empiricist theory within 5 Key Components 4 IQ Test certified by BMI™ psychology is Albert Bandura's social of Emotional Intelligence test-iq.org learning theory. According to theory, people By Kendra Cherry What is your IQ Score? Answer 20 learn by observing the behavior of others. Psychology Expert Questions to find out! Contemporary Views of Nature Why the Greek Versus Nurture 3 Gods Ate Ambrosia By Carly Silver Today, the majority of experts believe that behavior and development are influenced by Ancient/Classical History Expert both nature and nurture. However, the issue still rages on in many areas such as in the debate on the origins of homosexuality and influences on intelligence. While few people What 2 take the extreme nativist or extreme empiricist approach, researchers and experts still Homeschoolers Really Need to debate the degree to which biology and environment influence behavior. Know By Kathy Ceceri More Psychology Definitions: The Psychology Dictionary Homeschooling Expert What Is Plagiarism? Browse the Psychology Dictionary 1 By Grace Fleming Homework/Study Tips A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Expert Related Articles Our Expert Recommends VIEW MORE IN EDUCATION What is the nature vs nurture debate? Introduction to Development 21 Types of Psychologists and What Issues in Developmental Psychology They Do Child Development Theories Why Should You Study Drive- 10 Things You Need to Know About Reduction Theory of Motivation? Psychology What Exactly Is a Theory in Developmental Psychology Quiz Psychology? Classic Studies in Psychology The 5 Most Important Theories of Motivation Psychology Essentials Education Slideshows Learn the Basics of 10 Smallest Psychology Countries in the Psychology Glossary: P World Index Geography FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER Let About.com send you the latest from our Psychology Expert. Left-Brain vs. Right- 9 Tips to Improve Your email address here Brain: The Your College Essay Surprising Truth Style Cognitive Psychology College Admissions SIGN UP You can opt-out at any time. What Can You Do 10 Breathtaking Please refer to our privacy policy for contact information. With a Bachelor's Photos of Machu Degree in Picchu Psychology? Archaeology Psychology Career FAQ 11 Ways to Improve Learn the Basic Your Memory Structures of Brain Memory - Retreival, Anatomy Forgetting and Other Psychology Memory Topics IQ or EQ: Which Top Nonfiction One Is More Picks for Teens and Important? Tweens Intelligence Homeschooling Readers Recommend What's Your EQ? Quiz - What's Your Leadership Style? Psychology Career Quiz - Choosing a Psychology Career " ! What's Your Romantic Attachment Style? 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Multiple Intelligences Quiz Click for Price View All Inventory Ads Family Systems Theory Psychological Human Behavior Intelligence Studies Genetic About.com About Education Psychology Psychology Dictionary: Terms from A to Z Psychology Glossary: N Index What Is Nature Versus Nurture? About Education Follow us: Our Story Careers at About Advertise User Agreement News Ethics Policy We deliver. Get the best of Site Map Patent Info About Education in your inbox. All Topics Privacy Policy Reprints Your Ad Choices & Your email address SIGN UP Cookie Policy Help You can opt-out at any time. Please refer to our privacy policy for contact Write for About information. © 2014 About.com — All rights reserved..