Nature Vs Nurture Debate Essay
The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the oldest arguments in psychology. There are valid points pertaining both sides of the argument, is behaviour predisposed in DNA or is it influenced by the environment?
Nativists argue maturation governs attachment in infancy and cognitive development. The opposite end is empiricists; they believe everyone is born with a blank canvas that eventually gets filled with behaviours as a result of experience, both linking directly to attachment theory. This essay will cover Bowlbys evolutionary theory, learning theory and others in order to provide understanding of the attachment process between infant and caregiver.
Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space (Ainsworth, 1973; Bowlby, 1969). Bowlby’s theory uses an evolutionary explanation in order to describe the nature approach, directly linking with the attachment process. His theory explains how infants will exhibit attachment behavioural patters in order to survive and continue those genes. Lorenz’s study is supporting of Bowlby’s theory of proximity, monotropy and the critical period and how they are all innate and useful for …show more content…
Empiricists hold the view that knowledge is gained through experience from the environment. A good example of the nurture debate relating to attachment is the social learning theory. This theory takes thought process into account and acknowledges the role that they play in deciding if behaviour is to be imitated or not. Harlows monkeys experiment provided a valuable insight into the development of attachment and social behaviour. The study gave credence to the importance of an interaction with an object during the critical period of infancy in order to later develop normally. The monkeys that were kept in isolation were unable to integrate and act normally after coming into contact for the first
Nativists argue maturation governs attachment in infancy and cognitive development. The opposite end is empiricists; they believe everyone is born with a blank canvas that eventually gets filled with behaviours as a result of experience, both linking directly to attachment theory. This essay will cover Bowlbys evolutionary theory, learning theory and others in order to provide understanding of the attachment process between infant and caregiver.
Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space (Ainsworth, 1973; Bowlby, 1969). Bowlby’s theory uses an evolutionary explanation in order to describe the nature approach, directly linking with the attachment process. His theory explains how infants will exhibit attachment behavioural patters in order to survive and continue those genes. Lorenz’s study is supporting of Bowlby’s theory of proximity, monotropy and the critical period and how they are all innate and useful for …show more content…
Empiricists hold the view that knowledge is gained through experience from the environment. A good example of the nurture debate relating to attachment is the social learning theory. This theory takes thought process into account and acknowledges the role that they play in deciding if behaviour is to be imitated or not. Harlows monkeys experiment provided a valuable insight into the development of attachment and social behaviour. The study gave credence to the importance of an interaction with an object during the critical period of infancy in order to later develop normally. The monkeys that were kept in isolation were unable to integrate and act normally after coming into contact for the first