Nature Nurture Essay - 1469 Words

To begin this essay, it is essential to define some key terms. The Nature-Nurture debate argues whether our behaviour is as a result of our biology (such as our genes or neurochemistry), or if our behaviour arises from learning from others. For the purpose of this essay, a bully is defined as â€Å"a person who uses their strength or power to hurt or frighten people who are weaker† (Oxford Student’s dictionary, 2007). It is essential to investigate why bullying occurs and how to prevent it as bullies as well as their victims are likely to develop mental health problems. Children and adolescents who bully often develop increased levels of negative mental health outcomes in adulthood, as shown in Copeland, Wolk Angold et al’s (2013) study; 9.4%†¦show more content†¦However, these studies cannot be fully relied upon as it is difficult to falsify evolutionary theories of behaviour as we are unable to go back in time to see how our ancestors truly acted, the refore much of this research is based upon inferences. Furthermore, both studies conducted by Volk et al are correlational, so it is difficult to determine causation; other factors such as abuse within the family or peer pressure may have caused the increases in bullying and in sexual behaviour. Another aspect of nature that can be linked to bullying behaviour is genetics. Our genotype can create a vulnerability to certain mental illnesses or behaviours, making it more likely that those with a certain gene will behave in such a way. To investigate the influences of genes, twin studies with both monozygotic aka identical (MZ) and dizygotic aka non-identical (DZ) twins are often used as MZ twins share 100% of the same genes, so they may be more likely to both show the same behaviours compared to DZ twins. A twin study conducted by Ball et al (2007) found a 61% variation in bullying behaviour to be genetic as opposed to environmental influences. The study also showed that MZ twins had a concordance rate of them both engaging in bullying behaviour of 0.63, whereas DZ twins had a concordance rate of 0.33. Candidate genes have also been proposed to create aggressive behaviours often seen in bullying. A studyShow MoreRelatedNature vs. nurture Essay1322 Words   |  6 PagesNature vs. Nurture It is a matter of concern whether human behaviors and characteristics are determined by nature or nurture. 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Many things in an individual are hereditary, for instance; gender, disease, height, eye color,Read MoreThe Power of Nature and Nurture Essay1562 Words   |  7 Pagesdebate on nature versus nurture has been a mystery for years, constantly begging the question of whether human behavior, ideas, and feelings are innate or learned over time. Nature, or genetic influences, are formed before birth and finely-tuned through early experiences. Genes are viewed as long and complicated chains that are present throughout life and develop over time. 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I will discuss the difference between nature and nurture and then I’ll apply to each of these philosophers and how they react to it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When looked up in the dictionary the term nature means the universe and its phenomena or one’s own character and temperamentRead MoreEssay on Nature vs Nurture1052 Words   |  5 PagesNature vs. Nurture M. B. Liberty University Psychology 101 Nature vs. Nurture There has been extensive debate between scholars in the field of psychology surrounding the Nature vs. Nurture issue. Both nature and nurture determine who we are and neither is solely independent of the other. â€Å"As the area of a rectangle is determined by its length and its width, so do biology and experience together create us.†(Myers, 2008, p. 8) Carl Gustav Jung, and leading thinker and creator of analyticalRead MoreNature vs Nurture Essay804 Words   |  3 PagesThe controversy of nature vs. nurture has been disputed for years. Nature vs. nurture refers to the question of which factors are most significant in determining development; those related to heredity or environment. It has been reported that some scientists think that â€Å"nature† is referred as the importance in heredity as the major determinate also known as â€Å"nature† the theory of human behavior. The nurture theory scientists believe that people think and behave in certain ways bec ause they areRead MoreEssay On Nature Vs Nurture992 Words   |  4 PagesJesyka Long Professor Tippin Comp 1 21 September 2017 Nature Versus Nurture Is cultural discrimination an inherent characteristic or is it cultivated by the world surrounding someone? The debate over nature versus nurture is a long and drawn out one with many different facets to such a complex issue. Scientists have gone back and forth over what characteristics are innate and what is learned, offering different perspectives on the subject, but it is still an ongoing discussion. It is believedRead MoreNature Vs Nurture Essay1023 Words   |  5 Pagesstanding criminological disputes, nature versus nurture. After describing both theories in detail, I will determine whether I believe our intelligence, behaviors, and personality traits are genetically predetermined or if they are a product of our environment and the way in which we were raised. Science has proven that certain physical characteristics, such as hair color, eye color, height, and skin tone, are undoubtedly, genetically determined. Supporters of the nature theory, also known as nativists