Nature vs Nurture
Have you ever been curious about what makes you who you are? Nature versue nurture debates have been around for over a century. What started this controversy? What has more influence and is there any evidence that supports either theories today?
The starting point of the nature versue nurture debate was a book called Hereditary Genius written by Sir Francis Galton in 1869. (Lewis 2000) Sir Francis Galton developed a curiosity of inherited traits after reading The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. He studied twins and traced back histories to confirm his own theories on inherited traits. He studied at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, King’s College, London Medical School, Trinity College and University of Cambridge. He is well known for his work regarding eugenics and human intelligences among other things. (A+E 1996) Nature versue nurture is a debate regarding human development. (Cherry 2012) The nature theory refers to the genetic inheritance. Our intelligences and personality are passed down to us. Those who believe nature may have an upper hand may also believe in eugenics, the study of methods of improving the quality of the human race, esp by selective breeding. (ED Colin Dictionary 2009) Whereas nurture refers to the tubula rasa theory, you are born with a blank slate and your experiences make you who you are. (AllAboutPhilosophy 2012) Before Sir Francis Galton started his study on traits, nurture was the popular theory. Many believed that how you were raised was the main if not the only factor of who you will become. Now there are studies being done to help support the nurture theory. North Caroline State University geneticists studied environmental factors based on three Moroccan Amazigh groups. The three groups were chosen because they seem to be genetically similar but the lifestyles differ from one another. They found that environmental factors play a role in on the human immune system. They studied the
The starting point of the nature versue nurture debate was a book called Hereditary Genius written by Sir Francis Galton in 1869. (Lewis 2000) Sir Francis Galton developed a curiosity of inherited traits after reading The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. He studied twins and traced back histories to confirm his own theories on inherited traits. He studied at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, King’s College, London Medical School, Trinity College and University of Cambridge. He is well known for his work regarding eugenics and human intelligences among other things. (A+E 1996) Nature versue nurture is a debate regarding human development. (Cherry 2012) The nature theory refers to the genetic inheritance. Our intelligences and personality are passed down to us. Those who believe nature may have an upper hand may also believe in eugenics, the study of methods of improving the quality of the human race, esp by selective breeding. (ED Colin Dictionary 2009) Whereas nurture refers to the tubula rasa theory, you are born with a blank slate and your experiences make you who you are. (AllAboutPhilosophy 2012) Before Sir Francis Galton started his study on traits, nurture was the popular theory. Many believed that how you were raised was the main if not the only factor of who you will become. Now there are studies being done to help support the nurture theory. North Caroline State University geneticists studied environmental factors based on three Moroccan Amazigh groups. The three groups were chosen because they seem to be genetically similar but the lifestyles differ from one another. They found that environmental factors play a role in on the human immune system. They studied the
Cited: Cherry, Kendra (2013). About.com What is nature vs. nurture http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/nature-nurture.htm Lewis, David (2000). Foundations of Educational Psychology, http://www.coedu.usf.edu/agents/dlewis/publications/naturevsnurture.htm A+E Television Networks(1996-2013) Francis Galton http://www.biography.com/people/francis-galton-9305647?page=2 eugenics. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved May 13, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eugenics AllAboutPhilosophy 2012 http://mindandphilosophy.blogspot.com/2012/07/tabula-rasa-blank-slate-meaning.html North Carolina State University (2008, April 23). Nurture Over Nature: Certain Genes Are Turned On Or Off By Geography And Lifestyle, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 13, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/04/080422150659.htm Chris Curtis | Chris Hondros/Getty Images | DCL | Getty Images | Troy Paff | Copyright © 2011 Discovery Communications, LLC. The number-one nonfiction media company. Jackson, Samantha Kemp(December 29, 2011). Nature, Nurture or Neither: Identical Twins Hold The Answer,Technorati retreaved from http://technorati.com/women/article/nature-nurture-or-neither-identical-twins/page-2/