Does Nature Or Nurture Have A Larger Impact On Cognitive Development

Between nearly every developmental psychology category, there is a common question: Does nature or nurture have a larger impact on cognitive development? The answer is a matter of opinion, and varies from person to person, and from expert to expert. In regards to personal experience and opinion, it is my belief that, not only one of these influences development, but a combination of both nature and nurture is required to shape a person. Nature is defined as “the inborn, innate character of an organism” (PSYCH 56). This concept is also described using the term, genotype, which describes a person’s genetic structure. Nature is used to express why people who are closely related have similar IQ scores, and why nativist theorists believe that children
obtain a sense of language (PSYCH 187). While nature focuses on the genetic influences on development, nurture is centered on environmental factors. The textbook definition states that nurture is “the sum total of the environmental factors that affect an organism from conception onward” (PSYCH 56). A person’s nurture basically refers to anything that influences development that is not biologically built-in to the body/brain. Nurture describes why having involved parents or an exceptional school environment in the early stages of development is linked to higher IQ scores (PSYCH 197). Although both of these factors play a role in psychological maturity, nurture is, by far, more overpowering than nature. Nurture is the basis for all beliefs and principles that people have. It also helps shape personality and judgment/decision making skills. One way nurture effected my growth was by impacting my beliefs and priorities. My number one priority is to serve the Lord and spread his word because I believe in Jesus. If I were not exposed to this at a young age through my parents’ nurture, I probably would not have the same ideals that I do today. Another way nurture impacted my life was in my lingual development. Some may say that I have a bit of a southern accent. This is because I picked it up from my parents and the people surrounding me at such a young age. Learning theorists believe that language is learned through imitation and reinforcement, which basically means that nurture is the basis on which language is first developed (PSYCH 185). Nurture is far more influential in cognitive learning and growth, however, nature does have a small impact as well.
The impact of genetics on intelligence tests could be tested between my siblings and I. I have a twin brother who I could compare test scores with. Data shows that monozygotic twins (identical twins) have more similar test scores, while fraternal twins share the same correlation of test scores as other siblings (PSYCH 198). Nature was also impactful in my language development. As stated, I learned language from my parents and the people surrounding me (nurture), but according to Noam Chomsky, I have an “inborn tendency” to acquire language (PSYCH 187). This refers to the language acquisition device, also called the LAD. The LAD sets up the nervous system so that it is ready to learn language. Although the nature aspects are less obvious, they are still present in everyone’s development. Nature versus nurture is a huge controversy in today’s society, and has been argued over for many years. Some psychologists believe that nature is present rather than nurture, while some experts believe the opposite. Many also trust that it is a combination of the two. Although nurture was more obvious then nature in my development, they were both evident in cognitive
growth.