Analysis Of Nature Vs. Nurture Debate

This paper explores nine journal articles, three websites, and one textbook that discuss a variety of information regarding the nature versus nurture debate. Bandura, Ross, and Ross argued that behavior is learned and used the Bobo Doll experiment to provide data to back up their argument. Barlow, Ellard, Sauer-Zavala, Bullis, and Carl found that both genes and the environment play a role in the development of one’s personality. They specifically studied how one would handle stress if raised in a comforting home and if one is biologically susceptible to stress or not. Cherkas, Hochberg, Macgregor, Snieder, and Spector studied twins and found interesting information about how specific traits are learned. Freund, Brandmaier, Lewejohann, Kirste, Kritzler, Kruger, and Kempermann studied genetically equal mice, specifically how they adapted to their environments. Fuchs studied Freud’s theory of aggression and how it relates to the nature versus nurture debate. Galton argued for the nature position, believing and aguring that intelligence was inherited. Grusec studied Bandura’s social learning theory and how it proves that environment influences who one becomes. Pierce and Bandura studied social learning theory as well as aggression and how it proves that nurture is more of an influence on one’s personality and behavior. Turkheimer, Haley, Waldron, D'onofrio, and Gottesman studied IQ in children and how it was genetically driven.

All of the websites, “Nature vs Nurture: What Really Shapes Who We Are?”, “Nature vs Nurture”, and McLeod’s article analyzed both sides of the debate along with a combination of the two, and stated proof for each one. The textbook, Funder, presented information for both sides, nature and nurture, along with the consensus that genes and environment together impact who one develops into.