Running head: NATURE VS NURTURE PART A

Key Components of the Nature vs. Nurture Debate Part A Student Name: Dermot Connolly Stenberg College Surrey BC 0312 NURS 105-3 (A) Kim Bagshaw Dec 2012.

NATURE VS NURTURE PART A

Key Components of the Nature vs. Nurture Debate Part A Introduction Throughout history, both science and philosophy have attempted to determine how much of human behavior is determined as a product of our inherited traits and how much can be attributed to our environment. This discussion has become known as the nature vs nurture debate where human behavior is analyzed through the study of their genetics (nature) and their environment (nurture). Myers (2007). The purpose of this discussion is to investigate both sides of the argument and explore the role genetics has played in understanding psychiatric illness. This discussion will be divided into two parts. Part A will discuss the key components of the nature vs nurture debate. It will begin by exploring the nature side of the discussion and in particular how analysis of genetics through twin studies contributes to personality development. The role of genetics in the analysis of intelligence will also be explored. Part A will also investigate the key aspects of the nurture side of this debate and the impact the environment also plays on twin studies and in the determination of intelligence. Part B of this discussion will focus specifically on the role nature has played in shaping our current understanding of psychiatric illnesses and will focus specifically on dependent personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression.

NATURE VS NURTURE PART A Twin Studies Twins contribution to the nature vs nurture debate is a significant one. Identical twins

arrive from one fertilized egg and one sperm and as a result share 100% of their genetic material. McClendon (2011). Fraternal twins on the other hand are created from two separate eggs and two separate sperm resulting in about 50% of shared genetic material. McClendon (2011).Twins are ideal subjects when attempting to explore the effects of genetics or the environment in shaping human behavior because of the ability to use them as controls McClendon (2011). As identical twins have the same genetic makeup (nature), any observed differences between a pair of twins can be attributed to their environment (nurture). Investigators are particularly interested in identical twins that have being raised apart under different environmental conditions. McClendon (2011). Behaviorists on the other hand do not concur with this argument citing examples where identical twins have being raised under similar environments yet their personalities are different. McClendon (2011). Researchers have also studied the similarities in behavior in identical twins. In an investigation carried out in 2004, on over 23,000 sets of twins, Bouchard discovered that identical twins were much more similar than fraternal twins when it came to outgoingness and emotional instability. Myers (2007). The study of fraternal twins is a little more complex. As they will have approximately 50% of the same genetic makeup, studies on fraternal twins should attempt to remove as many variables as possible. Fraternal studies where the twins have being raised under similar environments are therefore more accurate where differences in personality can be attributed to genetics. McClendon (2011). Intelligence

NATURE VS NURTURE PART A In 1859 Charles Darwin published his book the origin of the species and within that text, he coined the phrase Natural Selection in which he proposed that members of the same species competing for similar resources, survived based on their ability to adapt to their environment. The European graduate school (2012). While he related his theory to animals, his

theory also holds true for humans. In the 19th century, Francis Galton took this theory and applied it to human intelligence. He believed that intelligence was mostly inherited and had little to do with ones environment. McLeod (2007). He drew his conclusion from his studies of twins where he maintained that identical twins maintained similar personalities, interests and illnesses their entire life. He found that this applied only to twins that were identical and not with fraternal twins. Gillham (2001). Analysis carried out by Jamais Cascio and Arthur Jenson supported Galtons intelligence hypothesis. Cascio maintained that the reason humanity survived that last ice age was based on the evolution of our brains which allowed us to develop languages and the ability to plan ahead, in essence, to become smarter. Cascio (2009). Jenson believed that intelligence among black Americans was significantly lower than white Americans McLeod (2007) which prompted the controversial discussion on whether science could attempt to accelerate the process of natural selection by unnatural means. From this grew eugenics, the science of improving the genetic population through the elimination of defectives. A concept made popular by Hitler during the Second World War. BBC (2012). Not surprisingly, behaviorists have dismissed Jensons theory. They maintain that his findings only highlight the differences in social inequality that exists between minority groups and their inability to have the same levels of access to education resources. McLeod (2007). Behaviorists instead support the blank slate theory in which the mind of a child is considered blank, to be subsequently inscribed by their parents, peers and society. Pinker (2002). Supporters

NATURE VS NURTURE PART A

of the blank slate theory believe that aspects of human behavior do not happen overnight, instead they are created through complex mental faculties that enable human beings to create and learn culture Pinker (2002) p 106. Conclusion Ultimately there is no winner or loser in the debate over nature vs nurture. There is significant evidence to support both sides of the argument. On the side of nature, twin studies have shown that identical twins have more similarities in behaviors than fraternal twins, yet those who side with nurture contend that many identical twins have being raised in similar environments yet their personalities are different. The same holds true when attempting to explain intelligence. Is intelligence inherited? Those to support the role of genetics believe that it is, citing higher IQs in the American white population when compared against the American black population. To a behaviorist however, these statistics merely point to the inequalities that exist between black and white Americans. We are quickly learning more and more about the human genome and in part B of this discussion, the role of genetics in the nature vs nurture debate will be discussed further. Part B will pay particular attention to the importance genetics plays in helping to generate a greater understanding into mental health and in particular, its role in psychiatric nursing.

NATURE VS NURTURE PART A

References: BBC (2012). Nature or Nurture BBC London Olympics 2012 documentary. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE9D3nSuYmI Cascio, J. (2009). Get smart. The Atlantic. Retrieved from Human Development 10/11.Thirty ninth ed. McGraw Hill, p67-71. Gillham, N., W. (2001). A Life of Sir Francis Galton. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from: http://galton.org/reviews/gillham-review.htm

NATURE VS NURTURE PART A McClendon, B. (2011). Nature vs. Nurture twin theory. Bright Hub. Retrieved from: http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/75468.aspx McLeod, S. (2007). Nature nurture in psychology. Simply psychology. Retrieved from: http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html Myers, D., G. (2007) Psychology 8th ed. Worth Publishers Pinker, S. (2002). The blank slate. Discover. Retrieved from Human Development 10/11.Thirty ninth ed. McGraw Hill, p106-110. The European graduate school (2012). Charles Darwin biography. Retrieved from: http://www.egs.edu/library/charles-darwin/biography/