http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html
This article gives a wide-spread overview of the Nature vs Nurture debate in Psychology. The main argument in this debate is whether our personality traits are predetermined genetically (Nature) or that we gain them through personal experience (Nurture). It is a constantly changing debate because there are so many factors that can be argued for both sides. There are so many outside factors that can change any given person, to say that Nature or Nurture is solely responsible is a bit ridiculous in my opinion.
Personally, I believe that a large amount of our persona is formed by Nurture, or personal experience. I don't believe that people are born with their ideologies and beliefs already determined. At a young age, we observe those around us and tend to model those behaviors. As we get older, we begin to recognize what behaviors are good and what ones are bad, what kind of person we want to be, etc.
What side are you on? Nature or Nurture?
Parents that are aware of their short coming, may it be alcohol or depression, tend to make efforts to keep their children from falling into the same problems. This is their attempt to nurture the nature away. Certain parents don't allow their young boys to play with guns or weapons in order to keep them from being comfortable with violence. This may not be a genetically natural trait but rather a human instinct of survival. While I agree with Darin "that people are born with their ideologies and beliefs already determined. At a young age, we observe those around us and tend to model those behaviors. As we get older, we begin to recognize what behaviors are good and what ones are bad, what kind of person we want to be, etc.", it still raises a lot of questions for me. How does one recognize what is good or bad? Is being taught to be good powerful enough to overpower natural instincts? Why do certain people grow up to be bad people when their are so many people, that may not be directly influencing them, but still surround them that are good? How does this personal determination set our morals and ideologies apart? How similar/different are people within the same society? And how do they differ from society to society?
ReplyDeleteI, myself, am still very unsure what stance I hold on this debate and will probably always be wishy-washy on my opinion. If anyone has an opinion or answer for any questions that I have posed, please share!