subject: NATURE V/S NURTURE [print this page] Controversy over whether human behaviour is determined more by the biological basis of "human nature",than it is nurtured
by the environmental conditions that humans experience is nature v/s nurture.
Nature v/s Nurture is a term coined by the English Victorian Polymath Francis Galton regarding the influence of heredity
and environment on human behaviour.The word "nature" means the universe or native character whereas,"nurture" means food,
nourishment and calcium.
It has been reported that the use of the terms "nature" and "nurture" as a convenient catch phrase for the roles of
heredity and environment in human development can be tracked back to 13th century France.There is a big controversy about the
role of nature and nurture in determining our behaviour to our lives and society.Behavioral genetic experts believe that
human conduct depends upon his genetic predisposition.This is actually known as the nature theory of human behaviour.Whereas
other scientist regard as true that people think and act as they are nurtured by the environment in which they live.This is
nurture paradigm of human behaviour.Rapidly growing mankind understanding about behavioral science has reached to the point
that both perspectives are right to some extents.Man is endowed by nature with inborn abilities and inherited qualities and
nurture molds and modifies them as required by the society.But the Nature v/s Nurture conflict continues to find who
contributes more in personality development and shaping behaviours.
The Nature v/s Nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in psychology.The debate centres on the relative contributions
of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development.Some ancient philosophers such as Plato and Descartes
consider that some certain things are inborn or they simply occur naturally regardless of environmental influence.Modern
thinkers like John Locke has opinion that mind began as blank state.Means experience determines our behavioral development.
For example: When a person achieves tremendous academic success,did they do so because they are genetically predisposed
to be successful,or is it a result of an enriched environment?
Today,the majority of experts believe that behaviour and development are influence by both nature and nurture.However,the
issue till rages on,as scientist fight over how much of who we are is shaped by genes and how much by the environment.
Sum and substance is nature v/s nurture thinking is up to you.
