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Nature vs Nurture Essay Writing Guide

Updated 17 Apr 2024

Nature vs nurture essay remains one of the most challenging essay types to write if there is no given example and explanation of what college teachers expect from such writing. Touching upon philosophy, healthcare, education, sociology, environmental sciences, and history, among other subjects, nature vs nurture paper can be made easier if it speaks directly from personal perspective, sharing student’s experience.

In basic terms, this type of essay researches how environmental factors impact personal development of a person - both philosophically or not, depending on chosen subject or initial course discipline.

In accordance with college professors in the United States, ideal combination for successful essay should include research with citation, revealing obvious relation to personal experience or reflective writing.

Definition and Importance of This Essay Type

It should be noted that in most cases college students will receive nature vs nurture debate essay assignments that have their purpose in taking certain side, either nature or nutrition. What it means in practice is study of roles that nature and nurturing (often called heredity) play in development of human character, behavioral traits, decisions behind made. A reason why it takes argumentative form is presence of philosophical approach and psychology elements that make people define same concepts differently. From one side, there are those that believe in genetic predisposition factors, meaning that person is already born with certain character elements, heritage that already controls human being even with all behavioral patterns taken in consideration. Then there are others who believe that behaviors can be taught. A practical example would be racial prejudice with related conflicts. Is it something that individual learns eventually or something person is already born with that acts upon deeper genetical level?

Common essay on nature vs nurture should take a side and provide sufficient arguments regarding offered rightfulness. However, there are cases when American colleges request neutral writing where no side is taken, but information is presented from neutral angle. If such case does occur, best thing student can do is present both sides by comparing advantages or disadvantages of each party. Remember avoiding bias and allow target audience to decide for themselves. An example would be genetically-modified foods and advantages that are presented at both camps like health hazards, genetic experiments ethics with overcoming world famine as counter-argument.

If it sounds too complex, remember that this essay assignment also includes personal topics, experiences of living in another country, family’s heritage, cultural identity. Just like with American Dream essay topics , it should inspire an audience, providing sufficient evidence.

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Structure of Nurture vs Nature Research Paper

Looking for suitable ideas is important, yet even the best ideas will fail if no correct essay structure is implemented. Unless specified otherwise, it should include Introduction with strong thesis statement, three Body Paragraphs, continued by Conclusion with Works Cited page. Once again, if no debate part is required, avoid any bias, remaining neutral, only presenting information available.

Introduction - Start with short description of constant conflict between nature and nurturing aspects. American psychologists recommend starting with known fact, statistics, famous quote or rhetorical question to keep audience interested. Turning to thesis statement, make it relate and introduce argument clearly speaking of what side are you at. It should not leave readers uncertain! Keep in mind that nature vs nurture essay introduction should not introduce opposing views immediately, but leave key facts and arguments for upcoming paragraphs. This way audience proceeds with reading.
Body Paragraphs - Should start with topic sentences. If one assumes that talk goes about Latin America's cultural traits, the first paragraph should introduce general information and idea, while second and third paragraphs can be dedicated to opposing opinions. Remember that each statement should be supported by clear evidence, proper citation, academic references. Paper must be logical with paragraphs clearly supporting main thesis. If possible, include metaphors with real-life situations that will help audience relate to subject being discussed. If touching upon sensitive issues, always remain respectful.
Conclusion - As with most academic essays, conclusion should restate thesis statement in different words. Good trick recommended by writing experts is summing up brief key lessons from each paragraph in short. Suggest diverse forecasts or make call to action, inspiring readers for additional research. Remember to include references list either sorted alphabetically or as format requires.

7 Expert Writing Tips for Excellent Results

Reason why certain nature versus nurture essay becomes successful lies in little expert tricks that always impress professors. According to EduBirdie’s experience, successful argument essay on this specific debate means addition of creative factors with due research, even if literally! Here are some expert tricks to consider:

Collect the most relevant ideas - start by looking through topics that inspire you. If it works well for you, reflecting personal interests, it will most likely inspire others.

Choose catchy topic - choosing essay topic, avoid generic subjects, but focus on something that is available for research. While alien DNA might sound like an interesting choice, it is highly unlikely that there are academic sources available. It should be relevant, something easily supported by evidence.

Reference scientific articles - for nature vs nurture paper, include enough references proving scientific research. Remember about correct citing to avoid plagiarism. Yet, since it is debate, cite only when necessary, avoid turning final essay into summary of someone else’s work.

Create visual presentation - support your paper by using visuals, statistics, diagrams, artistic exhibitions or portrayals of chemical processes, if applicable. Making things vivid, creative, powerful always impresses, showing that additional work has been done.

Mix sources with personal input - always add personal contribution as it will show that paper is unique, reflecting author’s opinion and contribution to the subject.

Include unusual facts - for example, if you talk about hospitality or certain character features of Canadians, refer to cultural facts or unusual information that may be argued about or lead to interesting conclusions.

Work in a team - if your college provides such opportunity, take every chance to work in a team as it is not only easier, but twice entertaining because each student contributes his or her thoughts, turning paper into true research assignment.

Nature VS Nurture Essay Example For a High Grade

Read this sample by our top writer! We hope it’ll inspire you for other interesting nature vs nurture essay ideas.

Children’s Literacy in 17th Century Iceland

Harsh weather conditions, relative distance from development and civilizations have made educational opportunities in Iceland limited. Conditioned by the church and parents during long winter evenings where even the youngest family members had to participate in monotonous work, education became something that children learned from family members. Like heavy physical work was obligatory, same way, family’s reading through Ancient Sagas and the Bible became a part of life where nature has played significant part. It, indeed, conditioned behavioral patterns of Icelandic families in 17th century, making education alike to homeschooling and private tutoring where reading became an only mental asylum, thus achieving almost complete literacy.

According to research conducted by social historian Sigurdur Magnusson, even though "clergy supervised all primary education in the country, leading up to a test given to children prior confirmation, it was learning how to survive in the harsh realities that constituted central element in children's education" (Magnusson 43). It leads to conclusion that nature forced people to adjust educational matters and ways how reading, in particular, was seen as an escape from daily troubles, famine, even death. Thus, naturalists find such evidence sufficient, while genetics may argue that there was definite psychological element that made children escape in reading. Nevertheless, question still remains as to what came first.

Another interesting argument to discuss is whether environment limits or, on contrary, increases literacy among children as in Iceland. If statement proves to be true in either direction, it eliminates genetical claims regarding already existing traits. What remains, however, is psychological element of escapism that is created by forces, thus affecting behaviors and choices being made. Cold, windy winters, helped to shape not only living conditions, but brought literacy levels at unusually high numbers, proving importance of environment and circumstances.

Works Cited

Magnusson, Sigurdur. Wasteland With Words: Social History Of Iceland. Reaktion Books, 2010.

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Nature Vs Nurture Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on nature vs nurture.

The topic of nature vs nurture is always a great topic of debate among people. There are great men who did work hard to achieve great heights . But still, they are some people who didn’t work that hard yet still managed to be successful.

In other words, it is a debate between hard work and talent. In the grooming of a person, the nurturing is essential. However, still, there are some individuals who were never born in a great environment . Yet by their sense of knowledge and intellectualism created a special place in the hearts of people.

Nature has given us many things in life and one of them is talents. Either we are born as the only individual in our family or it is in our genes. Furthermore, nature plays a vital role in deciding the future of a child. Many singers in this era are born with beautiful voices. They did not need any nurturing. Their talent took them to heights they couldn’t even imagine.

For instance, some of the great legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishor Kumar had soulful voices. Also, they were the ones who sang from their childhood days. They started their careers and became successful at a very early age. Moreover, they did not get much teaching but still are the legends of all time.

Apart from singing, there are other talents that nature has given us. Various scientists like Albert Einstein , Isaac Newton , Galileo Galilei, started their work in their teenage years. They had amazing intellectualism, because of which they got recognition in their entire world. Furthermore, these scientists did not get any mentoring. They did everything on their own. Because they had extraordinary intelligence and ambition in life.

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On the other hand, the nurturing of a person is important. Because hard work beats talent. With proper mentoring and practice, a person can achieve success in life. If a person has an environment in which everybody is in the same profession and are successful in it.

Then there is a great chance that the person will land up in the same profession and will achieve heights. Because in that environment he will get proper nurturing.

Furthermore, he will also be able to perform better over the years. “ Hard work always pays off ”. This idiom is always true and nobody can deny that. If a person has true dedication then it can beat talent. Various singers, dancers, musicians, businessmen, entrepreneurs did work really hard for years.

And because of that, they got recognition in the entire world. In these categories, musicians are who achieved heights only with their hard work and constant practice.

It is true that there are no shortcuts to success. Various known legends like Bob Dylon. Lou Reed, Elvis Persley, Michael Jackson worked hard throughout their lives. As a result, they were some of the great personalities in the entire world.

Q1. What is the meaning of nurture?

A1. Nurture means the way a person grooms himself. This is done in order to achieve success. Nurturing is essential in a person’s life because it can be a way a person can cross the barrier and do something great. Moreover nurture also means the mentoring and care a person is getting in an environment.

Q2. What is the difference between Nature and Nurture?

A2. The main difference between nature and nurture is, nature is the talent a person inherits from his parents or is God gifted. While nurturing is hard work and mentoring of a person in a particular field. So that he may excel in that field.

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The Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Genetic and Environmental Influences and How They Interact

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Verywell / Joshua Seong

Definitions
Interaction
Contemporary Views

Nature refers to how genetics influence an individual's personality, whereas nurture refers to how their environment (including relationships and experiences) impacts their development. Whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in personality and development is one of the oldest philosophical debates within the field of psychology .

Learn how each is defined, along with why the issue of nature vs. nurture continues to arise. We also share a few examples of when arguments on this topic typically occur, how the two factors interact with each other, and contemporary views that exist in the debate of nature vs. nurture as it stands today.

Nature and Nurture Defined

To better understand the nature vs. nurture argument, it helps to know what each of these terms means.

Nature refers largely to our genetics . It includes the genes we are born with and other hereditary factors that can impact how our personality is formed and influence the way that we develop from childhood through adulthood.
Nurture encompasses the environmental factors that impact who we are. This includes our early childhood experiences, the way we were raised , our social relationships, and the surrounding culture.

A few biologically determined characteristics include genetic diseases, eye color, hair color, and skin color. Other characteristics are tied to environmental influences, such as how a person behaves, which can be influenced by parenting styles and learned experiences.

For example, one child might learn through observation and reinforcement to say please and thank you. Another child might learn to behave aggressively by observing older children engage in violent behavior on the playground.

The Debate of Nature vs. Nurture

The nature vs. nurture debate centers on the contributions of genetics and environmental factors to human development. Some philosophers, such as Plato and Descartes, suggested that certain factors are inborn or occur naturally regardless of environmental influences.

Advocates of this point of view believe that all of our characteristics and behaviors are the result of evolution. They contend that genetic traits are handed down from parents to their children and influence the individual differences that make each person unique.

Other well-known thinkers, such as John Locke, believed in what is known as tabula rasa which suggests that the mind begins as a blank slate . According to this notion, everything that we are is determined by our experiences.

Behaviorism is a good example of a theory rooted in this belief as behaviorists feel that all actions and behaviors are the results of conditioning. Theorists such as John B. Watson believed that people could be trained to do and become anything, regardless of their genetic background.

People with extreme views are called nativists and empiricists. Nativists take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics are the result of inheritance. Empiricists take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics result from learning.

Examples of Nature vs. Nurture

One example of when the argument of nature vs. nurture arises is when a person achieves a high level of academic success . Did they do so because they are genetically predisposed to elevated levels of intelligence, or is their success a result of an enriched environment?

The argument of nature vs. nurture can also be made when it comes to why a person behaves in a certain way. If a man abuses his wife and kids, for instance, is it because he was born with violent tendencies, or is violence something he learned by observing others in his life when growing up?

Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology

Throughout the history of psychology , the debate of nature vs. nurture has continued to stir up controversy. Eugenics, for example, was a movement heavily influenced by the nativist approach.

Psychologist Francis Galton coined the terms 'nature versus nurture' and 'eugenics' and believed that intelligence resulted from genetics. Galton also felt that intelligent individuals should be encouraged to marry and have many children, while less intelligent individuals should be discouraged from reproducing.

The value placed on nature vs. nurture can even vary between the different branches of psychology , with some branches taking a more one-sided approach. In biopsychology , for example, researchers conduct studies exploring how neurotransmitters influence behavior, emphasizing the role of nature.

In social psychology , on the other hand, researchers might conduct studies looking at how external factors such as peer pressure and social media influence behaviors, stressing the importance of nurture. Behaviorism is another branch that focuses on the impact of the environment on behavior.

Nature vs. Nurture in Child Development

Some psychological theories of child development place more emphasis on nature and others focus more on nurture. An example of a nativist theory involving child development is Chomsky's concept of a language acquisition device (LAD). According to this theory, all children are born with an instinctive mental capacity that allows them to both learn and produce language.

An example of an empiricist child development theory is Albert Bandura's social learning theory . This theory says that people learn by observing the behavior of others. In his famous Bobo doll experiment , Bandura demonstrated that children could learn aggressive behaviors simply by observing another person acting aggressively.

Nature vs. Nurture in Personality Development

There is also some argument as to whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in the development of one's personality. The answer to this question varies depending on which personality development theory you use.

According to behavioral theories, our personality is a result of the interactions we have with our environment, while biological theories suggest that personality is largely inherited. Then there are psychodynamic theories of personality that emphasize the impact of both.

Nature vs. Nurture in Mental Illness Development

One could argue that either nature or nurture contributes to mental health development. Some causes of mental illness fall on the nature side of the debate, including changes to or imbalances with chemicals in the brain. Genetics can also contribute to mental illness development, increasing one's risk of a certain disorder or disease.

Mental disorders with some type of genetic component include autism , attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder , major depression , and schizophrenia .

Other explanations for mental illness are environmental. This includes being exposed to environmental toxins, such as drugs or alcohol, while still in utero. Certain life experiences can also influence mental illness development, such as witnessing a traumatic event, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Nature vs. Nurture in Mental Health Therapy

Different types of mental health treatment can also rely more heavily on either nature or nurture in their treatment approach. One of the goals of many types of therapy is to uncover any life experiences that may have contributed to mental illness development (nurture).

However, genetics (nature) can play a role in treatment as well. For instance, research indicates that a person's genetic makeup can impact how their body responds to antidepressants. Taking this into consideration is important for getting that person the help they need.

Interaction Between Nature and Nurture

Which is stronger: nature or nurture? Many researchers consider the interaction between heredity and environment—nature with nurture as opposed to nature versus nurture—to be the most important influencing factor of all.

For example, perfect pitch is the ability to detect the pitch of a musical tone without any reference. Researchers have found that this ability tends to run in families and might be tied to a single gene. However, they've also discovered that possessing the gene is not enough as musical training during early childhood is needed for this inherited ability to manifest itself.

Height is another example of a trait influenced by an interaction between nature and nurture. A child might inherit the genes for height. However, if they grow up in a deprived environment where proper nourishment isn't received, they might never attain the height they could have had if they'd grown up in a healthier environment.

A newer field of study that aims to learn more about the interaction between genes and environment is epigenetics . Epigenetics seeks to explain how environment can impact the way in which genes are expressed.

Some characteristics are biologically determined, such as eye color, hair color, and skin color. Other things, like life expectancy and height, have a strong biological component but are also influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle.

Contemporary Views of Nature vs. Nurture

Most experts recognize that neither nature nor nurture is stronger than the other. Instead, both factors play a critical role in who we are and who we become. Not only that but nature and nurture interact with each other in important ways all throughout our lifespan.

As a result, many in this field are interested in seeing how genes modulate environmental influences and vice versa. At the same time, this debate of nature vs. nurture still rages on in some areas, such as in the origins of homosexuality and influences on intelligence .

While a few people take the extreme nativist or radical empiricist approach, the reality is that there is not a simple way to disentangle the multitude of forces that exist in personality and human development. Instead, these influences include genetic factors, environmental factors, and how each intermingles with the other.

Schoneberger T. Three myths from the language acquisition literature . Anal Verbal Behav . 2010;26(1):107-31. doi:10.1007/bf03393086

National Institutes of Health. Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders .

Pain O, Hodgson K, Trubetskoy V, et al. Identifying the common genetic basis of antidepressant response . Biol Psychiatry Global Open Sci . 2022;2(2):115-126. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.07.008

Moulton C. Perfect pitch reconsidered . Clin Med J . 2014;14(5):517-9 doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.14-5-517

Levitt M. Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour . Life Sci Soc Policy . 2013;9:13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13

Bandura A, Ross D, Ross, SA. Transmission of aggression through the imitation of aggressive models . J Abnorm Soc Psychol. 1961;63(3):575-582. doi:10.1037/h0045925

Chomsky N. Aspects of the Theory of Syntax .

Galton F. Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development .

Watson JB. Behaviorism .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Sample critical essay on nature vs. nurture.

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There has long been a debate about whether nature or nurture matters more in determining the traits an individual will have. In other words, do genetics or environment play a more formative role in the development of one’s personality? Nature says that our traits are influenced by genetic inheritance and similar biological factors while nurture is meant as the influence of environmental factors after conception.

We know that physical characteristics like eye color, hair color, and height can be attributed to specific genes within our DNA. But what about emotional or behavioral traits? This sample biological essay from the essay writing services at Ultius examines the question that while some behavioral traits can be traced to certain genes, does our environment play a role in activating those genes?

Our genetic makeup

Science tells us that certain traits are most definitely attributed to genetic causes. Our eye color, skin pigmentation, and certain diseases like Tay-Sachs or Huntingdon’s chorea are all direct results of the genes we inherit from our parents. Other traits to which we can be genetically predisposed include weight, height, life expectancy, hair loss, and vulnerability to certain illnesses (McLeod 2007). Because these characteristics can be definitively connected to our biology, many speculate on whether or not genetic factors can contribute to behavioral tendencies, mental abilities, and personality traits .

Nativists, those who believe that every characteristic we have is determined only by nature, assume that the characteristics of the human species as a whole are simply a product of evolution and that the things that make us unique are a result of our own specific genetic code. They believe that the characteristics that are not observable at birth, such as personality traits, emerge later as the product of maturation.

We each have a biological clock inside us that turns certain behaviors on and off in a way that is preprogrammed from birth. An example of this would be the way our bodies change during puberty. Nativists also believe that:

“maturation governs the emergence of attachment in infancy, language acquisition, and even cognitive development as a whole” (McLeod 2007).

Bowlby’s theory of attachment views the bond between the mother and child as being an innate process that aids in our survival as a species. Likewise, Chomsky believed that language is learned through the use of an innate language acquisition device that all humans are born with (McLeod 2007). In addition, Freud speculated that traits like aggression are engrained in our DNA.

Fraternal twins as evidence of nature over nurture

Similarly, it is often debated whether or not criminal activity can be linked to a genetic disposition. One of the biggest pieces of supporting evidence for the nature over nurture is the fact that fraternal twins exhibit similar characteristics even when they are raised apart. Often times, these twins will share behavioral traits as if they were raised together in the same place. Mental health is undoubtedly affected by our biological dispositions.

For example, bipolar is approximately five times as likely to develop when there is a family history of the condition (“Nature vs. Nurture Debate”). There are similar statistics available for a wide number of mental health conditions . Researchers also tend to place more emphasis on nature when it comes to addiction. Alcoholism, for example, can recur in families and it has been found that certain genes may influence the development of alcoholism and the way alcohol effects the body.

Alternatively, to nativists, empiricists believe that the human mind is a blank slate at birth and any characteristics we develop are a result of our experiences and environment. With point of view speculates that psychological characteristics and our behavioral tendencies are things we learned during our development. While the concept of maturation applies to the biological development we experience, any psychological growth is a result of the way we are brought up.

Attachment of infants as evidence of nurturing

An example of this would be the way infants form attachment. The formation of attachment is a direct result of the love and attention a child receives. If they are not given love and attention, the attachment will not develop. Similarly, we learn language by mirroring the speech we hear from others.

Our cognitive development is dependent on the environment and civilization in which we are reared (“Nature vs. Nurture”). Bandura’s social learning theory states that aggression is a characteristic that we learn through observation and imitation. In addition, Skinner believed that language is something individuals learn from others via behavioral shaping techniques.

Watson's ideas on environmental learning

John Watson, one of the most well-known psychologists to propose environmental learning as the dominating factor in the nature versus nurture debate, feels that our behavioral traits are purely a result of our surroundings and experiences. He felt that he could condition a new behavior in a child or alter an already existing behavior that is considered to be unfavorable (Sincero 2016).

Watson believed that he could randomly choose any baby out of a group of twelve infants and raise the child to become any type of specialist he chose. He stated that he could train any child to be anything, regardless of the individual’s talents, potentialities, and social groups.

Benefits of nurturing on mental health

Just like nature, nurture affects our mental health, as well. While someone may have a genetic disposition for one condition or another, there still needs to be an environmental trigger for that condition to develop. If there is a genetic indication that a mental condition may develop, the individual can be ‘nurtured’ in a way that can prevent the condition from developing or lessen its severity.

A neuroscientist named James Fallon discovered that he possessed the brain of a psychopath and believed that being raised in a loving and nurturing environment helped ensure that he never fully developed enough sociopathic traits for them to affect his success (“Nature vs. Nurture Debate”).

The foundations of addiction

In a similar way, the basis for addiction is not entirely determined by genetics. Certain environmental aspects, such as the habits of our friends, partners, and parents, can contribute significantly to the development of addiction. A genetic predisposition to alcoholism becomes entirely more significant when the individual in question is frequently exposed to alcohol abuse and comes to view the harmful behavior as normal.

A study conducted at the University of Liverpool found that a family history of mental health conditions was only the second strongest indicator that a mental condition would develop (“Nature vs. Nurture Debate”). The strongest predictor was life events and experiences that contributed to the development of the mental condition, such as abuse, bullying, or childhood trauma.

Meeting in the middle

Today, most people agree that our characteristics are a result of a combination of both nature and nurture. There is enough support for both sides to completely count either side out. For example, if one twin develops schizophrenia gene , the other twin has only a fifty percent chance of also developing the same condition (“Nature vs. Nurture Debate”). Clearly, both nature and nurture can affect the development of certain disorders.

The question then shifted from ‘which one’ to ‘how much?’ We know that both play a role, but which force is more important? Francis Galton was the first to pose this question during the late nineteenth century. A relative of Charles Darwin, he felt that intellectual ability was mostly attributed to genetics and that the tendency for genius to be a familial trait was the result of natural superiority (McLeod 2007).

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Arthur Jenson on intelligence testing

Many others have agreed throughout history, which has spurred an influx of intelligence testing; in particular, on separated twins and adopted children. Arthur Jenson is an American psychologist who is a modern proponent of nature over nurture. Jenson cites average IQ scores in which black Americans scored significantly lower than white participants and suggested that as much as eighty percent of intelligence is inherited (McLeod 2007).

Not surprisingly, controversy developed surrounding Jenson’s claims due to the logical weakness of his argument. It was widely agreed that his study was tainted by social and political implications that are often drawn from various studies that claim to represent natural inequalities between race and other social groups. Differences in IQ scores between various ethnic groups can be explained by biases in testing methods and social inequalities in access to resources and opportunities (McLeod 2007). Similarly, it is hotly debated whether or not alleged intelligence difference in male versus female results is a consequence of biology or culture.

The importance of both nature and nurture

Now, however, the scientific world has come to understand that trying to place a numerical value on nature and nurture to judge which is more important is not really the right approach (Davies 2001). Intelligence, for example, is a complex human characteristic that can exhibit itself in a wide variety of ways from genius to basic common sense .

By attempting to place quantitative values on the separate factors, we fail to focus on the fact that biology and environment interact in a host of important and intricate ways (Ridley 2003). Today, most people agree that neither biology nor environment act independently of one another. Both are necessary for any characteristic to manifest. Because they are dependent on each other and interact in such a complex manner, it is illogical to attempt to think of them separately.

How nature and nurture combine in the individual

Rather than defending nativists or empiricists, most psychologists are now more interested in researching the ways in which nature and nurture interact with each other to develop characteristics and traits. In psychotherapy, this means that not only does there need to be a genetic disposition required for mental disorders to develop, but there also needs to be an environmental trigger, as well (Feller 2015).

The recognition of this important relationship is especially important given the genetic advancements made during the twenty-first century. The Human Genome Project and advent of bioengineering sparked wide interest in tracing types of behavior to particular strands of DNA found on certain chromosomes (McLeod 2007). Scientists expect to soon find specific genes that are linked to criminality, alcoholism, and other characteristics.

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Conclusion

Psychologists have been debating the influence of nature versus nurture over human characteristics for a very long time. After the scientific world came to recognize that biology and environment both play a role, the emphasis shifted to determining which was more important. Now though, as we have come to truly understand the complexity of the relationship between our genetic dispositions and environmental triggers, we no longer focus on one versus the other, but rather the way they interact with and affect each other.

While it is certainly helpful in the development of certain conditions for there to be a genetic disposition, there almost always needs to be an environmental trigger that causes the characteristic to manifest in an individual. This is only a small part of this complex discussion and an example of what you can expect when you buy a critical essay from Ultius.

Davies, Kevin. “Nature vs. Nurture Revisited.” PBS . WGBH Educational Foundation, 17 Apr. 2001. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

Feller, Stephen. “Nature vs. Nurture: It’s a tie, study finds.” UPI . United Press International, Inc., 19 May 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

McLeod, S.A. “Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology.” Simply Psychology . Simple Psychology, 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

“Nature vs. Nurture.” Diffen . Diffen, 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

“Nature vs. Nurture Debate”. GoodTherapy.org . GoodTherapy.org, 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

Ridley, Matt. “Nature via nurture: Genes, experience, and what makes us human.” APA PsycNET . HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

Sincero, Sarah Mae. “Nature and Nurture Debate” Explorable . Explorable.com, 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2016.

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What Are Nature vs. Nurture Examples?

How is nature defined, how is nurture defined, the nature vs. nurture debate, nature vs. nurture examples, what is empiricism (extreme nurture position), contemporary views of nature vs. nurture.

Nature vs. nurture is an age-old debate about whether genetics (nature) plays a bigger role in determining a person's characteristics than lived experience and environmental factors (nurture). The term "nature vs. nature" was coined by English naturalist Charles Darwin's younger half-cousin, anthropologist Francis Galton, around 1875.

In psychology, the extreme nature position (nativism) proposes that intelligence and personality traits are inherited and determined only by genetics.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the extreme nurture position (empiricism) asserts that the mind is a blank slate at birth; external factors like education and upbringing determine who someone becomes in adulthood and how their mind works. Both of these extreme positions have shortcomings and are antiquated.

This article explores the difference between nature and nurture. It gives nature vs. nurture examples and explains why outdated views of nativism and empiricism don't jibe with contemporary views.

Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images

In the context of nature vs. nurture, "nature" refers to genetics and heritable factors that are passed down to children from their biological parents.

Genes and hereditary factors determine many aspects of someone’s physical appearance and other individual characteristics, such as a genetically inherited predisposition for certain personality traits.

Scientists estimate that 20% to 60% percent of temperament is determined by genetics and that many (possibly thousands) of common gene variations combine to influence individual characteristics of temperament.

However, the impact of gene-environment (or nature-nurture) interactions on someone's traits is interwoven. Environmental factors also play a role in temperament by influencing gene activity. For example, in children raised in an adverse environment (such as child abuse or violence), genes that increase the risk of impulsive temperamental characteristics may be activated (turned on).

Trying to measure "nature vs. nurture" scientifically is challenging. It's impossible to know precisely where the influence of genes and environment begin or end.

How Are Inherited Traits Measured?

“Heritability” describes the influence that genes have on human characteristics and traits. It's measured on a scale of 0.0 to 1.0. Very strong heritable traits like someone's eye color are ranked a 1.0.

Traits that have nothing to do with genetics, like speaking with a regional accent ranks a zero. Most human characteristics score between a 0.30 and 0.60 on the heritability scale, which reflects a blend of genetics (nature) and environmental (nurture) factors.

Thousands of years ago, ancient Greek philosophers like Plato believed that "innate knowledge" is present in our minds at birth. Every parent knows that babies are born with innate characteristics. Anecdotally, it may seem like a kid's "Big 5" personality traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, and openness) were predetermined before birth.

What is the "Big 5" personality traits

The Big 5 personality traits is a theory that describes the five basic dimensions of personality. It was developed in 1949 by D. W. Fiske and later expanded upon by other researchers and is used as a framework to study people's behavior.

From a "nature" perspective, the fact that every child has innate traits at birth supports Plato's philosophical ideas about innatism. However, personality isn't set in stone. Environmental "nurture" factors can change someone's predominant personality traits over time. For example, exposure to the chemical lead during childhood may alter personality.

In 2014, a meta-analysis of genetic and environmental influences on personality development across the human lifespan found that people change with age. Personality traits are relatively stable during early childhood but often change dramatically during adolescence and young adulthood.

It's impossible to know exactly how much "nurture" changes personality as people get older. In 2019, a study of how stable personality traits are from age 16 to 66 found that people's Big 5 traits are both stable and malleable (able to be molded). During the 50-year span from high school to retirement, some traits like agreeableness and conscientiousness tend to increase, while others appear to be set in stone.

Nurture refers to all of the external or environmental factors that affect human development such as how someone is raised, socioeconomic status, early childhood experiences, education, and daily habits.

Although the word "nurture" may conjure up images of babies and young children being cared for by loving parents, environmental factors and life experiences have an impact on our psychological and physical well-being across the human life span. In adulthood, "nurturing" oneself by making healthy lifestyle choices can offset certain genetic predispositions.

For example, a May 2022 study found that people with a high genetic risk of developing the brain disorder Alzheimer's disease can lower their odds of developing dementia (a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities enough to affect daily life) by adopting these seven healthy habits in midlife:

Staying active
Healthy eating
Losing weight
Not smoking
Reducing blood sugar
Controlling cholesterol
Maintaining healthy blood pressure

The nature vs. nurture debate centers around whether individual differences in behavioral traits and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Early philosophers believed the genetic traits passed from parents to their children influence individual differences and traits. Other well-known philosophers believed the mind begins as a blank slate and that everything we are is determined by our experiences.

While early theories favored one factor over the other, experts today recognize there is a complex interaction between genetics and the environment and that both nature and nurture play a critical role in shaping who we are.

Eye color and skin pigmentation are examples of "nature" because they are present at birth and determined by inherited genes. Developmental delays due to toxins (such as exposure to lead as a child or exposure to drugs in utero) are examples of "nurture" because the environment can negatively impact learning and intelligence.

In Child Development

The nature vs. nurture debate in child development is apparent when studying language development. Nature theorists believe genetics plays a significant role in language development and that children are born with an instinctive ability that allows them to both learn and produce language.

Nurture theorists would argue that language develops by listening and imitating adults and other children.

In addition, nurture theorists believe people learn by observing the behavior of others. For example, contemporary psychologist Albert Bandura's social learning theory suggests that aggression is learned through observation and imitation.

In Psychology

In psychology, the nature vs. nurture beliefs vary depending on the branch of psychology.

Biopsychology: Researchers analyze how the brain, neurotransmitters, and other aspects of our biology influence our behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. emphasizing the role of nature.
Social psychology: Researchers study how external factors such as peer pressure and social media influence behaviors, emphasizing the importance of nurture.
Behaviorism: This theory of learning is based on the idea that our actions are shaped by our interactions with our environment.

In Personality Development

Whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in personality development depends on different personality development theories.

Behavioral theories: Our personality is a result of the interactions we have with our environment, such as parenting styles, cultural influences, and life experiences.
Biological theories: Personality is mostly inherited which is demonstrated by a study in the 1990s that concluded identical twins reared apart tend to have more similar personalities than fraternal twins.
Psychodynamic theories: Personality development involves both genetic predispositions and environmental factors and their interaction is complex.

In Mental Illness

Both nature and nurture can contribute to mental illness development.

For example, at least five mental health disorders are associated with some type of genetic component ( autism , attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) , bipolar disorder , major depression, and schizophrenia ).

Other explanations for mental illness are environmental, such as:

Being exposed to drugs or alcohol in utero
Witnessing a traumatic event, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Adverse life events and chronic stress during childhood

In Mental Health Therapy

Mental health treatment can involve both nature and nurture. For example, a therapist may explore life experiences that may have contributed to mental illness development (nurture) as well as family history of mental illness (nature).

At the same time, research indicates that a person's genetic makeup may impact how their body responds to antidepressants. Taking this into consideration is important for finding the right treatment for each individual.

What Is Nativism (Extreme Nature Position)?

Innatism emphasizes nature's role in shaping our minds and personality traits before birth. Nativism takes this one step further and proposes that all of people's mental and physical characteristics are inherited and predetermined at birth.

In its extreme form, concepts of nativism gave way to the early 20th century's racially-biased eugenics movement. Thankfully, "selective breeding," which is the idea that only certain people should reproduce in order to create chosen characteristics in offspring, and eugenics, arranged breeding, lost momentum during World War II. At that time, the Nazis' ethnic cleansing (killing people based on their ethnic or religious associations) atrocities were exposed.

Philosopher John Locke's tabula rasa theory from 1689 directly opposes the idea that we are born with innate knowledge. "Tabula rasa" means "blank slate" and implies that our minds do not have innate knowledge at birth.

Locke was an empiricist who believed that all the knowledge we gain in life comes from sensory experiences (using their senses to understand the world), education, and day-to-day encounters after being born.

Today, looking at nature vs. nature in black-and-white terms is considered a misguided dichotomy (two-part system). There are so many shades of gray where nature and nurture overlap. It's impossible to tease out how inherited traits and learned behaviors shape someone's unique characteristics or influence how their mind works.

The influences of nature and nurture in psychology are impossible to unravel. For example, imagine someone growing up in a household with an alcoholic parent who has frequent rage attacks. If that child goes on to develop a substance use disorder and has trouble with emotion regulation in adulthood, it's impossible to know precisely how much genetics (nature) or adverse childhood experiences (nurture) affected that individual's personality traits or issues with alcoholism.

Epigenetics Blurs the Line Between Nature and Nurture

"Epigenetics " means "on top of" genetics. It refers to external factors and experiences that turn genes "on" or "off." Epigenetic mechanisms alter DNA's physical structure in utero (in the womb) and across the human lifespan.

Epigenetics blurs the line between nature and nurture because it says that even after birth, our genetic material isn't set in stone; environmental factors can modify genes during one's lifetime. For example, cannabis exposure during critical windows of development can increase someone's risk of neuropsychiatric disease via epigenetic mechanisms.

Nature vs. nurture is a framework used to examine how genetics (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) influence human development and personality traits.

However, nature vs. nurture isn't a black-and-white issue; there are many shades of gray where the influence of nature and nurture overlap. It's impossible to disentangle how nature and nurture overlap; they are inextricably intertwined. In most cases, nature and nurture combine to make us who we are.

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Smith A, Kaufman F, Sandy MS, Cardenas A. Cannabis exposure during critical windows of development: epigenetic and molecular pathways implicated in neuropsychiatric disease . Curr Envir Health Rpt . 2020;7(3):325-342. doi:10.1007/s40572-020-00275-4

By Christopher Bergland Bergland is a retired ultra-endurance athlete turned medical writer and science reporter. He is based in Massachusetts.

Essay Sample: Nature Versus Nurture

26 March, 2020

7 minutes read

Author: Kate Smith

This sample is a great example of the compare and contrast essay writing. It presents two points of view on what influences the development of a personality the most - genetics or environmental factors. Don't hesitate to read it to see what such a type of essay should look like when written professionally!

Nature and nurture is a hotly contested argument concerning what influences the behavior and personality attributes of individuals. Nature is entirely dependent on the genetic combination of an individual which dictates their character and appearance. On the other hand, nurture is dependent on the environmental factors that an individual gets exposed to which end up shaping his or her personality. Nature and nurture influence individuals to a certain extent because individuals get exposed to both of them in one way or the other dictating their development process.

Nature principle holds that biological characteristics of individuals get inherited from the genetic makeup in their lineage. Character traits such as height, weight, vulnerability to certain illnesses and skin complexion are inherited and determined by the genetic combination of individuals. Such biological combination is usually similar amongst individuals who are blood relatives, and for this reason, they tend to have almost a uniform genetic combination. Moreover, other behavioral, mental and personality attributes are also a reflection of our genetic makeup and usually inherited from individuals’ close blood relatives (Kong et al. 2018). Through the traits, it is easier to identify closely related individuals just by looking at their appearance and conduct.

Besides, specific characteristics do not become evident during birth, and when a person reaches a certain age, for instance, during puberty, that is when the hidden attributes begin showing up. The biological clock guides such characteristics, and when the right time comes, the physical and behavioral attributes mature and become conspicuous. Such traits get programmed in a way that for them to grow visible, they will take a certain period to develop. Moreover, they are also dependent on other biological factors within our bodies for them to manifest. However, the traits still maintain the genetic combination and the similarity of a specific lineage.

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On the contrary, through nurture, an individual acquires specific attributes from the environment that surrounds them. When a child is born, for instance, its mind is black and empty. It is through its interaction with the surrounding and the people around it that will make the infant acquire some of their traits through learning, observation and aping their conducts. In other words, nurturing is dependent on the environment, experience, and learning as the individual interacts with the environment with time (Vazsonyi, Roberts, Huang & Vaughn, 2015). The way an individual was nurtured or brought up will influence their aspect of child development. Maturation will only affect biological development. The environment plays a vital role in the development process.

Similarly, the type of relationships also plays a crucial role in the nurturing, especially during child development. For instance, an infant develops an emotional attachment to its parents because of the love and affection it receives. Moreover, children who are given proper care and affection will reciprocate the same while growing up. On the contrary, infants who receive harsh treatment from their parents will develop withdrawal symptoms while growing up. Also, the infants also try and learn how and what to talk by studying the speech of those around them. The cognitive development comes from the exposer that the infant receives and conditions surrounding it.

Correspondingly, certain traits are acquired based on what an individual went through. Children who got abused or molested when growing up develop specific antisocial characteristics, for instance, being high tempered, harsh and develops particular disorders. For example, bipolar disorders manifest because an individual underwent harsh treatment which affects their psychological stability after that. Some of them become abusers and molesters in their future relationships as a way of imitating and justifying what they experienced while growing up. Imitation is a way of implementing what the individual has learned during the nurturing process by putting the lessons into practice.

Striking a Balance

However, after careful analysis, psychologists have discovered that both nature and nurture are responsible for the development of an individual. Both factors interact with each other and play a crucial role in shaping up the conduct of an individual (Lux, 2014). For example, in psychopathology, it is argued that both hereditary factors and environmental conditions contribute to the development of mental disorders in individuals. The biological combinations of people closely interact with the socio-cultural set up surrounding them. Individuals are now left to make their own choices in dictating what is suitable for them and what should be left out. Nature and nurture complement each other in shaping an individual.

Conclusively, nature and nurture are broiling discussion, and both sides have valid points to justify their stands. Nature is purely based on the fact that genetic makeup influence how an individual behaves and thinks. Similarly, the natives hold that genetic factors dictate factors such as the appearance, particular illness, and intelligence levels. On the contrary, individuals who believe in nurturing hold that environmental factors are majorly involved in the development process of individuals. Children acquire traits through learning from the people surrounding them and will try to imitate the behavior after that. However, psychologists are trying their level best to strike a balance between the two school of thoughts since both sides hold valid arguments, but both nurture and nature interact with each other during the development process. Nature and nurture cannot get treated in isolation.

Lux, V. (2014). Nature and nurture. Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology , 1225-1231.

Kong, A., Thorleifsson, G., Frigge, M. L., Vilhjalmsson, B. J., Young, A. I., Thorgeirsson, T. E., … & Gudbjartsson, D. F. (2018). The nature of nurture: Effects of parental genotypes. Science , 359 (6374), 424-428.

Vazsonyi, A. T., Roberts, J. W., Huang, L., & Vaughn, M. G. (2015). Why focusing on nurture made and still makes sense: The biosocial development of self-control. The Routledge international handbook of biosocial criminology , 263-280.

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How To Write A Winning Nature Vs Nurture Essay

When you are faced with the task of writing an essay, the first thing is organizing your thoughts and ideas. At times, it is possible to get overwhelmed by the ideas you need to work on. As such, getting organized will help you to put aside clutter and craft a winning essay. But how do you do it?

In this post, we are going to look at how to write a winning nature vs nurture essay. It is a comparative essay, and a common type of write-up to expect in your college studies. We will give a step by step account of how to work on such an essay from the beginning to the end.

Develop an Outline of Your Nature vs Nurture Essay

The first step when writing a nature vs. nurture debate essay is creating an outline that should guide you from the beginning to the end. Besides, it will also guide you on the information to look for at different stages. See the example of an outline below:

Introduction Background info Arguments that will be explained in the essay Thesis statement Body: 1 st Paragraph Nature Genetic makeup Why genetic predisposition is not a child’s destiny Simply because a child is talented does not mean that he/she is going to be automatically great Body: 2 nd Paragraph Nurture How the environment affects a child’s growth Parents and children growth: They provide kids with the best environment for growth Body: 3 rd Paragraph Nature vs nurture: Establish which is better Why the environment is the main determinant of growth The environment that a kid grows in is what makes him/her Ask yourself: which is an example of the influence of nature and nurture? Conclusion Restate the thesis statement and your argument (do not add new ideas at this point)

How to Write a Great Introduction

To write a great nature vs nurture child development essay introduction, it is important to do ample research. Here, you need to understand nature, nurture, and the strengths of each. Within the first one or two paragraphs, make sure to state your nature vs nurture essay thesis statement. That is your personal stand on the argument. Here is a good example of nature vs nurture essay thesis:

“Nature has a significant impact on a child’s development; however, it is nurture that has a greater impact on growth and development.”

Writing The Body Of Your Nature And Nurture Essay

When planning your essays on nature vs nurture type in college, the main arguments are delivered in the body. Therefore, all the ideas that you will bring out should be carefully interwoven with the main argument (your thesis statement). Besides, you should also bring out the arguments on both sides of the nature vs nurture essay.

After looking at each component, go ahead, and convincingly contrast the two. That is what will determine whether your thesis statement was right or wrong. At this point, make sure to use multiple nature vs nurture examples to support your arguments. Make sure that these examples of nature vs nurture are supported by reliable resources to give your argument more weight.

In addition to the examples, you should also use nature vs. nurture theory to demonstrate the strength of each. When you interweave the theories of nature vs nurture essay psychology well, your write-up will become interesting to the reader. Here are some useful tips to follow when writing the body of your nurture essay.

One argument per paragraph
Stay focused on the main point
Ensure every paragraph refers to the thesis statement
Make the body logical

Writing Conclusion Of Your Essay On Nature Vs Nurture

At the end of your behavior assignments nature vs nurture essay, you need to conclude the argument developed in the paper. Here, you need to summarize the main points stated in the nature vs nurture essay. Here is what to include in the conclusion:

Restate the thesis statement
Sum the entire argument in a single argument
Do not introduce new arguments at this point

When you are faced with a nature vs nurture essay, the secret to getting it right is being organized and doing thorough research on the topic. Make sure to follow the outline provided in this post. If still unsure of how to go about it, make sure to seek help or advice from your department or experts.

Get Nature vs Nurture Essay Examples and Help Today

Now that you have an idea of how to write a nature vs nurture essay, you can get help with your work from our top tier assignment service. Our writers will expertly write any type of essay, and your teachers will not be disappointed. We offer everything, from 24 hour customer support, to additional edits and revisions, all to make you satisfied with our work. So now you can pay people to do your homework , and your nature vs nurture essay will be safe with us.

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One-And-Done Guide To A-Grade Worthy Essays On Nature

Table of Contents

At least once in your life from elementary school you will find yourself having to talk or having to write about the inspiring relationship between man and nature that has been there since us humans started walking this planet.

You better be inspired and get a feel for it before you start gnawing at your pen. You’ll see that this topic, apart from being so ubiquitous and beloved by teachers of all kinds and calibers, is rather fun to explore and write about.

Essays on nature: how to structure?

The topic of essays on nature is blissfully broad unless narrowed down by your teacher’s specifications. Not that we will break any major news saying that you should start your essay with a catchy introduction.

Do not underestimate the importance of that short introductory piece : written well, it will set the right tone to your essay, make your own voice heard and make that first impression on your readers.

The contextual diversity stems from the very definition of nature. Quoting Merriam Webster , nature can be defined as

The inherent character or basic constitution … of a person or thing.
A creative and controlling force in the universe.
Natural scenery.

We have picked here only the most distinct definitions that would send your essay in three different directions, but you certainly get the drift.

As often as not, tasking students with an essay on nature, an educator expects a charming piece on scenic beauty with lots of descriptive passages.

But before you knock yourself out waxing lyrical on that breathtaking view from the mountain top that opened itself to your eyes as you were hitchhiking with your family during your Colorado trip, let not a premature sigh of relief escape your lips: there is more depth to it than may initially seem.

Depending on what the actual topic at hand is, you should:

Make a concise presentation of the topic.
Outline the problems you are going to solve in your essay.
Introduce a clear thesis statement.

Normally, you are not expected to come up with any laboriously picked and analyzed sources of information other than your own experiences with nature that inspired you into deep contemplations, profound emotions and filled other spiritual gaps in your perception of the world.

However, a good quote here and there is a must – just to show that you are familiar with the background and the efforts your fellow-writers have made in the field.

Proceed to the core of your writing, speaking about the moments when the presence of nature in your life overpowered you, the thoughts and ideas this feeling sparkled in you, and the impact it has had on your way of thinking and living.

Remember that drawing unexpected parallels is a mark of genius. How about you compare natural phenomena to the way you express your own emotions? What in the way you express your feelings through beaming, smiling – or tears and yelling – can be paralleled to weather changes?

…Go full-on allegorical!

Writing about nature, we suggest that you pick such tried-and-true fellow-writers as Henry David Thoreau , who is commonly referred to as “the godfather of American nature writing,” as an environmental educator and a travel/naturalist writer Heidi Zillie put it, and a harbinger of all go-green enthusiasts.

Speaking of environmentalists: as far as the cornerstone idea of your essay is concerned, it would score you a lot of points to jump on the naturalist bandwagon and make a strong call to protect natural resources.

The use of nature essay examples

Depending on what your primary focus in the essay is, you should pick a specific set of arguments to back up the viewpoints you express in your writing.

While describing and processing the imprint that nature sceneries have had on you is not about debating, since it is a purely subjective description of your own emotions, you still can present your feelings as contradictory and conflicting.

For instance, speak about the impact a sunny spell has on you when you are happy as opposed to when you are depressed. By contrasting your own emotions, sunshine from a clear blue sky can make you feel worse – although it can do the opposite and pick you up.

Um… or not?

Provide arguments to support both stances and illustrate with an example from your life.

Don’t be afraid to channel your inner Hemingway; we mean, the topic is pretty corny in its nature – bad pun intended!

What to write in essays on human nature?

Essays on human nature open up new horizons still.

Here once again it would be great to make a reference to Thoreau who advocated for

“the importance of leaving nature undisturbed, the need for all humans to have contact with nature, and the relationship between humans and other living things”

Speak about the contradictory nature of humans: we are part of nature, but we constantly seek to outsmart it.

What do we get as benefits, and are they compared to the damage we do the environment in the process?

One thing is for sure, and it is that it is human nature to defy mother nature, and our own nature whilst at it.

For centuries, from the earliest forms of human life on Earth, man has been trying to interpret, explain and even control nature and its phenomena, it is not by chance that the first explanations of meteorological phenomena that is rain can already be found in the first primitive men.

The wind, the sun, the snow, which, however, lacking any logical or scientific connection , gave an answer through the omnipotent presence of gods who controlled these temporal impacts.

But not only that, being peoples who based their entire survival on agriculture, they introduced the first songs and dances of the rain, of the sun, and in doing so they were convinced that the gods could hear them and that they could control and “send” what could be used to harvest to be prosperous.

Essays on nature vs. nurture

Merriam-Webster defines nurture as

– as opposed to those predetermined by genes, or nature.

The debates about to what extension we are influenced by our genetics that is nature, and to what – by environmental factors.

The supporters of the “nature” camp study the behavioral development in twins to prove their point, and we suggest you get the most out of citing some of them.

On the other side of the equation, scientists prove that there is a link between the events in our lives and our bodily functions; some events or actions can actually make us pass on genes to our offspring, like for instance substance abusing or smoking.

A study like this one under the supervision of Dr. Linda J. Luecken proves some meaningful connections between our biography facts and health condition.

Nature vs. nurture essay topics

Here are some of the most fruitful and inspiring topics for an essay on nature versus nurture you can dig into because every essay topic needs to be narrowed down for you to be able to make a clear and logical presentation of your standpoint:

Nature vs. Nurture In Personal Development.
Nature Vs. Nurture In Children.
The Nurture Assumption.
Nature vs. Nurture: From Elizabethan Times Till Now.
Frankenstein: Nature vs. Nurture.
Nature vs. Nurture Debate.
Nature vs. Nurture In Medicine.
Intelligence Quotient.
Nature vs. Nurture From A Psychological Standpoint.
Human Nature.
Obligate vs. Facultative Adaptations.
Social Pre-Wiring.
Heritability Of Intelligence.
Nature vs. Nurture in Genomics.
Personality Traits: Nature Or Nurture?
The Fallacy Of Nature vs. Nurture.
Darwinian Ethics In Nature Vs. Nurture Debate.
Biological Determinism.
Stability And Change In Nature Vs. Nurture Discourse.
The Nature And Nurture Of Genius.

Bottom line

Science is progressing with increasingly surprising innovations and technologies day by day, but people in some way continue to not fully grasp the benefits nature offers.

Exemplary is the case of houses built at the foot of Vesuvius, an area considered to be at risk of eruptions.

There are laws that prevent building in those areas, but at the same time in those areas, you always see more architectures, houses, and buildings that endanger human life.

Then the question arises of who is to blame in the end, and the necessary answer is that man, as in many things, is the main cause of own flaws!

…You get the drift?

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Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Nature Versus Nurture — Difference Between Nature And Nurture

Difference Between Nature and Nurture

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Published: Mar 13, 2024

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Genetic inheritance, implications.

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Essay Samples on Nature Versus Nurture

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5. The Debate Around Nature Versus Nurture

6. Application of the Concept of Nature Vs. Nurture to Serial Killers

7. Analysis of the Nature vs Nurture Debate Based on the Novel “Frankenstein”

8. Nature or Nurture: Attribution to Shyness

9. Good Will Hunting: The Impact of Past Experiences on Personality

10. Unraveling the Origins of Serial Killers: Nature Versus Nurture

11. The Nature Versus Nurture Debate

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IELTS Writing

A collection of band scale 9 essays, 023 nature versus nurture.

Model Answer

Every so often, it is reported that scientists have linked a new gene to a particular human behavior, for example, shyness or extroversion . As a result, some people say that nature is more important than nurture in governing how we behave. However, I believe that genetics alone cannot explain our personal characteristics, and that our upbringing is equally important.

It is common for people to say they inherited a particular trait from one of their parents. Until recently, it had been impossible to test this hypothesis scientifically, but advances in neuroscience mean there is now strong evidence connecting behavior and genetics. Thanks to modern brain scanning technology, scientists can predict someone's personality based upon an analysis of the structure of their brain. As people with similar DNA also have similar brains, this supports the role of genetics in human behavior.

Nonetheless, many scientists are quick to point out that our environment also plays an important role in our development. Factors such as diet, stimulation , sleep, and exercise all affect the way connections are formed in our brain. It is too simplistic to say that genes determine the way we behave. Having a gene that has been associated with shyness does not mean that you will necessarily be shy. Whether this gene is activated or not will depend on one or more of the factors listed above.

In conclusion, although scientists have a greater understanding of the way some genes influence our behavior, I believe it is still too early to say whether it is genetics or our environment that plays the dominant role.

(264 words)

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“Nature vs. Nurture” Debate in Education Essay

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The ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ debate holds in several areas of psychology and refers to the question of whether our genes (‘nature’) determine attributes such as intelligence or language aptitude or whether such attributes can be acquired and improved through experience (‘nurture’). The outcome is of great importance for educators since education – together with parental influence – is the main source of experiential learning (Bulmer 2003). In this essay, the concept will be explained based on my own experience and academic research.

Historically, the nature vs. nurture debate began with the publication of Galton’s (1869) study in which he promoted inherited ability in the faculties of thinking and learning. On the same side of the argument, the more recent work by Herrnstein and Murray (1994) was significant in arguing that intelligence is, at least to some extent, inherited.

The theory is based on the assumption that aptitude is dominant in learning and that it is mainly hereditary. Therefore, the aim of education is to separate the naturally able from the less able and to provide each group of students with programs adapted to their talents. In other words, schools should function as if the ‘Bell Curve’ is a natural phenomenon that must be obtained in all learning results and that effort makes little difference (Resnick 1995: 55-62).

IQ tests are there to spread students out on a scale rather than to define what each one should actually work at learning. Teachers assign grades believing that – if everyone were to get an A or B – standards must be too low (and not that uniformly high grades mean everyone worked hard and managed to learn what was taught).

In my high school years, I certainly witnessed how belief in inherited aptitude was self-fulfilling. Students who were held to low expectations did not try to break through that barrier but often accepted the idea that aptitude is what matters and that they have not inherited enough of it – and their performance stayed low.

On the ‘nurture’ side of the argument is the theory of learning behind most educational practices today, based on the work of Thorndike (Faulkner 1998). Thorndike developed practical learning tools (textbooks, tests, curricula, and teacher training) in the belief that knowledge consists of a collection of bonds i.e. links between pairs of mental entities or between an external stimulus and an internal mental response. Learning is just trying to change the strengths of the bonds i.e. increasing the strength of ‘correct’ bonds and decreasing the strength of ‘incorrect’ ones.

In practice, correct bonds are strengthened by rewards, and incorrect ones are weakened through punishment or withholding rewards and create a system where the ‘stamping in’ of correct bonds and the ‘stamping out’ of incorrect ones is enhanced. In my experience, whenever teachers used positive feedback to create ‘enjoyment’ in the learning environment it certainly motivated me to work harder.

Recent evidence from developmental biology claims to have resolved the ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ issue and what this might mean for education practice. According to the Education Commission of the States (1996), research on brain development provides insight for improving the education of young children. The Carnegie Corporation (1994) highlights the fact that the environment affects not only the number of brain cells and the number of connections between them but also the way they are ‘wired’ and evidence points to the negative impact of early stress (a ‘nurture’ factor) on brain function (Carnegie Corporation 1994: 2)

While the brain connections developed before birth are vital, their main purpose is biological and it is during the child’s first months and years of growth and development that nature and nurture combine until they become ‘ intertwined and inseparable’ (Simmons & Sheehan 1997: 6).

At birth, the brain has around 100 billion neurons, which then link together in over 50 trillion synapses (Begley 1997). Afterward – especially in the first three years of life – the brain goes through a number of important changes. Over this period, many more connections among neurons are created than the brain can ever use. Over time, the connections that are rarely or never used disappear (Nash 1997). However, which connections are eliminated is not predetermined and the way in which a child is raised affects how the brain chooses to wire itself for life (Simmons & Sheehan 1997).

I have always believed that children should be encouraged to take advantage of the various windows of opportunity presented to them for healthy development. The research above shows that a child’s brain development suffers if the child is denied the opportunity to live in a stimulating environment. In other words, the research stresses the positive effects of active parenting – something I believe in very strongly – in order to provide children with stimulating experiences (Nash 1997).

In conclusion, this essay has explained the ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ issue providing arguments and evidence for the primacy of both inheritance and environment in learning and thinking. Each side leads to a different approach to education. If we accept the primacy of inheritance, this gives rise to the streaming of students based on their ‘aptitudes’ as revealed by their scores in, for example, IQ tests. Each stream is then taught at a level suitable for their supposed inherited aptitude.

On the other hand, the primacy of the environment leads to education based on ‘associationist’ learning achieved through effort, motivation, and rewards. Recent evidence from developmental biology clearly points to the greater importance of ‘nurture’ in preparing children successfully for thinking and learning. The more stimulating, enjoyable, and interesting we can make their environment, the more they will learn.

Works Cited

Begley, S. “Your child’s brain.” Newsweek 127.8 (1996): 55-61.

Begley, S. “How to build a baby’s brain.” Newsweek 129 (1997): 28-32.

Black, P. “Dreams, Strategies and Systems: portraits of assessment past, present and future.” Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice 8.1 (2001): 65-85.

Bulmer, M. Francis Galton: Pioneer of Heredity and Biometry . John Hopkins University Press. 2003.

Carnegie Corporation. “Starting points: Meeting the needs of our youngest children.” Corporation of New York . 1994. Web.

Education Commission of the States . “Brain research and education: Bridging the gap between neuroscience & education.” 1996. Web.

Faulkner, D. Learning Relationships in the Classroom . London: Routledge. 1998.

Galton, Francis. Hereditary Genius, Its Laws and Consequences. London: Macmillan. 1869.

Herrnstein, R. J., and Murray, C. The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life . New York: Free Press. 1996.

Nash, J. M. “Fertile minds.” Time 149.5 (1997): 48-56.

Resnick, L. Education and Learning to Think Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. 2009.

Simmons, T., & Sheehan, R. “Brain research manifests importance of first years” The News & Observer. 1997. Web.

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Nature vs Nurture Essay

Writing that nature VS nurture essay

The main difference between nature and nurture types of character-forming is the source of influences, nature - genetic or hereditary, nurture - environmental. An example of the debate could be whether obesity is passed genetically from parent to child or promoted by society.

What is nature vs. nurture, taking a stand (or not), writing the nature vs. nurture essay.

To define nature vs. nurture, both medical scientists and psychologists must be involved. It involves a debate, actually, related to the influence of heredity and environmental experiences on the ultimate adult personality that one has. But it can also go beyond personality and behaviors. For example, suppose, through heredity, an individual may have certain physical characteristics. But, because of malnutrition or a contracted disease, those characteristics are not as heredity would have programmed them. The nature vs. nature argument generally revolves around psychological characteristics , however.

Sample Nature vs Nurture Essay

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In this great debate, there are those who state that nature is predominant and those who state that upbringing and environment are . There is also a relative middle ground, known as epigenetics that attempts to reconcile the two. Basically, it argues that environmental factors can turn genes on or off or otherwise modify them. Thus, the genetic predisposition toward addiction can be modified (or even turned off) by upbringing and environment.

Best nature vs nurture essay topics

Nature vs. nurture and criminal behavior
Nature vs. nurture and addiction
Nature vs. nurture and intelligence
The role of epigenetics in the nature vs. nurture debate
Nature vs. nurture in gender identification/homosexuality

Your essay or paper format is no different than that of any other essay or paper. You will begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement, body paragraphs which all include points related to that thesis and a conclusion that wraps up your points and perhaps points the reader in new directions for discussion or research.

Prior to writing your essay, you will want to take a look at some examples of scholarly essays and papers on the subject.

It’s an interesting and evolving topic, this debate between nature and nurture. And writing an essay on the subject can be quite enlightening.

External links

Levitt M. Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour. Life Sciences, Society and Policy . 2013;9(1). doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13
Mcleod S. Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology. Simplypsychology.org. https://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html. Published February 5, 2007.
Francis D. Beyond Nature vs. Nurture. The Scientist Magazine®. https://www.the-scientist.com/reading-frames/beyond-nature-vs-nurture-41858. Published October 2011. Accessed November 20, 2019.
https://www.facebook.com/thoughtcodotcom. Nature Versus Nurture: How Are Our Personalities Formed? ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/nature-vs-nurture-1420577. Published 2019.
Nature vs Nurture - The Debate Examined - Difference and Comparison | Diffen. Diffen.com. https://www.diffen.com/difference/Nature_vs_Nurture. Published 2012.

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Nature vs. Nurture

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

The expression “nature vs. nurture” describes the question of how much a person's characteristics are formed by either “nature” or “nurture.” “Nature” means innate biological factors (namely genetics ), while “nurture” can refer to upbringing or life experience more generally.

Traditionally, “nature vs. nurture” has been framed as a debate between those who argue for the dominance of one source of influence or the other, but contemporary experts acknowledge that both “nature” and “nurture” play a role in psychological development and interact in complex ways.

The Meaning of Nature vs. Nurture
The Nature-vs.-Nurture Debate
Identifying Genetic and Environmental Factors

The wording of the phrase “nature vs. nurture” makes it seem as though human individuality— personality traits, intelligence , preferences, and other characteristics—must be based on either the genes people are born with or the environment in which they grew up. The reality, as scientists have shown, is more complicated, and both these and other factors can help account for the many ways in which individuals differ from each other.

The words “nature” and “nurture” themselves can be misleading. Today, “ genetics ” and “environment” are frequently used in their place—with one’s environment including a broader range of experiences than just the nurturing received from parents or caregivers. Further, nature and nurture (or genetics and environment) do not simply compete to influence a person, but often interact with each other; “nature and nurture” work together. Finally, individual differences do not entirely come down to a person’s genetic code or developmental environment—to some extent, they emerge due to messiness in the process of development as well.

A person’s biological nature can affect a person’s experience of the environment. For example, a person with a genetic disposition toward a particular trait, such as aggressiveness, may be more likely to have particular life experiences (including, perhaps, receiving negative reactions from parents or others). Or, a person who grows up with an inclination toward warmth and sociability may seek out and elicit more positive social responses from peers. These life experiences could, in turn, reinforce an individual’s initial tendencies. Nurture or life experience more generally may also modify the effects of nature—for example, by expanding or limiting the extent to which a naturally bright child receives encouragement, access to quality education , and opportunities for achievement.

Epigenetics—the science of modifications in how genes are expressed— illustrates the complex interplay between “nature” and “nurture.” An individual’s environment, including factors such as early-life adversity, may result in changes in the way that parts of a person’s genetic code are “read.” While these epigenetic changes do not override the important influence of genes in general, they do constitute additional ways in which that influence is filtered through “nurture” or the environment.

Theorists and researchers have long battled over whether individual traits and abilities are inborn or are instead forged by experiences after birth. The debate has had broad implications: The real or perceived sources of a person’s strengths and vulnerabilities matter for fields such as education, philosophy , psychiatry , and clinical psychology. Today’s consensus—that individual differences result from a combination of inherited and non-genetic factors—strikes a more nuanced middle path between nature- or nurture-focused extremes.

The debate about nature and nurture has roots that stretch back at least thousands of years, to Ancient Greek theorizing about the causes of personality. During the modern era, theories emphasizing the role of either learning and experience or biological nature have risen and fallen in prominence—with genetics gaining increasing acknowledgment as an important (though not exclusive) influence on individual differences in the later 20th century and beyond.

“Nature versus nurture” was used by English scientist Francis Galton. In 1874, he published the book English Men of Science: Their Nature and Nurture , arguing that inherited factors were responsible for intelligence and other characteristics.

Genetic determinism emphasizes the importance of an individual’s nature in development. It is the view that genetics is largely or totally responsible for an individual’s psychological characteristics and behavior. The term “biological determinism” is often used synonymously.

The blank slate (or “tabula rasa”) view of the mind emphasizes the importance of nurture and the environment. Notably described by English philosopher John Locke in the 1600s, it proposed that individuals are born with a mind like an unmarked chalkboard and that its contents are based on experience and learning. In the 20th century, major branches of psychology proposed a primary role for nurture and experience , rather than nature, in development, including Freudian psychoanalysis and behaviorism.

Modern scientific methods have allowed researchers to advance further in understanding the complex relationships between genetics, life experience, and psychological characteristics, including mental health conditions and personality traits. Overall, the findings of contemporary studies underscore that with some exceptions—such as rare diseases caused by mutations in a single gene—no one factor, genetic or environmental, solely determines how a characteristic develops.

Scientists use multiple approaches to estimate how important genetics are for any given trait, but one of the most influential is the twin study. While identical (or monozygotic) twins share the same genetic code, fraternal (or dizygotic) twins share about 50 percent of the same genes, like typical siblings. Scientists are able to estimate the degree to which the variation in a particular trait, like extraversion , is explained by genetics in part by analyzing how similar identical twins are on that trait, compared to fraternal twins. ( These studies do have limitations, and estimates based on one population may not closely reflect all other populations.)

It’s hard to call either “nature” or “nurture,” genes or the environment, more important to human psychology. The impact of one set of factors or the other depends on the characteristic, with some being more strongly related to one’s genes —for instance, autism appears to be more heritable than depression . But in general, psychological traits are shaped by a balance of interacting genetic and non-genetic influences.

Both genes and environmental factors can contribute to a person developing mental illness. Research finds that a major part of the variation in the risk for psychiatric conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia can be attributed to genetic differences. But not all of that risk is genetic, and life experiences, such as early-life abuse or neglect, may also affect risk of mental illness (and some individuals, based on their genetics, are likely more susceptible to environmental effects than others).

Like other psychological characteristics, personality is partly heritable. Research suggests less than half of the difference between people on measures of personality traits can be attributed to genes (one recent overall estimate is 40 percent). Non-genetic factors appear to be responsible for an equal or greater portion of personality differences between individuals. Some theorize that the social roles people adopt and invest in as they mature are among the more important non-genetic factors in personality development.

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Nature Vs Nurture Essay Writing Guide
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Nature Vs Nurture Essay: A Guide And Introduction
Nature vs Nurture Essay
Nature Vs Nurture Essay: A Guide And Introduction

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Nature Vs Nurture
Nature vs. Nurture Essay. Nature is the influence of genetics or hereditary factors in determining the individual's behavior. In other words, it is how natural factors shape the behavior or personality of an individual. In most cases, nature determines the physical characteristics which in effect influence the behavior of an individual.
80 Nature vs Nurture Essay Topics & Examples
Here are some of the aspects that you might want to include in your essay on nature vs nurture. The importance of the topic. The debate on what influences one's personality, intelligence, and character is among the most prominent ones in psychology and other social sciences. Your task is to reflect this and to attempt to justify why the ...
Nature Vs. Nurture: The Interplay Between Genetics and Environment
Introduction For centuries, the debate over the roles of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping human behavior and traits has captivated... read full [Essay Sample] for free
Nature vs Nurture Essay: Tips & Tricks
Nature vs nurture essay remains one of the most challenging essay types to write if there is no given example and explanation of what college teachers expect from such writing. Touching upon philosophy, healthcare, education, sociology, environmental sciences, and history, among other subjects, nature vs nurture paper can be made easier if it ...
8 Nature vs. Nurture Articles to Support Your Persuasive Essay
Neither Article 1: Nature vs. Nurture Is Beside the Point; Science Shows Belief in Environment's Importance Makes a Difference. As you can probably tell from the title, this article is a bit different from the rest. It's not actually saying that nature has a larger influence than nurture or vice versa.
Nature Vs Nurture Essay for Students and Children
A1. Nurture means the way a person grooms himself. This is done in order to achieve success. Nurturing is essential in a person's life because it can be a way a person can cross the barrier and do something great. Moreover nurture also means the mentoring and care a person is getting in an environment. Q2.
Nature versus Nurture: the Simple Contrast Essay
The relationship between nature and nurture has constantly raised controversial debates about the roles of the two factors in heredity and external behavior of a person. As a result, there has been confusion about the functions of nature and nurture in shaping human personality. Some psychologists have shown strong support for nature as a ...
Nature Vs Nurture in Psychology: [Essay Example], 644 words
The debate between nature and nurture has been a long-standing one in the field of psychology. It pertains to the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities (nature) versus their personal experiences and environment (nurture) in determining behavior and mental processes. This essay aims to delve into this debate, exploring the ...
The Nature vs Nurture Debate: [Essay Example], 603 words
The nature vs nurture debate has been a long-standing topic in psychology. Though this essay affirms each perspective in this debate, it is important to consider that human development is a complicated process that involves both genetic and environmental factors, and the solutions to complex problems depend on recognizing this complexity. This ...
Nature vs. Nurture: Genetic and Environmental Influences
The Nature vs. Nurture Debate. Nature refers to how genetics influence an individual's personality, whereas nurture refers to how their environment (including relationships and experiences) impacts their development. Whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in personality and development is one of the oldest philosophical debates within ...
How to Write a Nature vs Nurture Essay?
Step 1: Choose a Topic. Understand the nature vs nurture debate: Before picking a topic for your essay, it's important to know what the nature vs nurture debate is all about. It covers various areas like intelligence, personality traits, mental health, addiction, and wrong behavior.
Sample Critical Essay on Nature vs. Nurture
Ultius. Ultius is the trusted provider of content solutions and matches customers with highly qualified writers for sample writing, academic editing, and business writing. Nature vs Nurture is an ongoing debate in human development. This sample essay looks at both sides as well as the two working in conjunction with one another.
Nature vs. Nurture: Meaning, Examples, and Debate
Summary. Nature vs. nurture is a framework used to examine how genetics (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) influence human development and personality traits. However, nature vs. nurture isn't a black-and-white issue; there are many shades of gray where the influence of nature and nurture overlap. It's impossible to disentangle how ...
Essay Sample: Nature Versus Nurture
Essay Sample: Nature Versus Nurture. This sample is a great example of the compare and contrast essay writing. It presents two points of view on what influences the development of a personality the most - genetics or environmental factors. Don't hesitate to read it to see what such a type of essay should look like when written professionally!
Impressive Nature Vs Nurture Essay
When you interweave the theories of nature vs nurture essay psychology well, your write-up will become interesting to the reader. Here are some useful tips to follow when writing the body of your nurture essay. One argument per paragraph. Stay focused on the main point. Ensure every paragraph refers to the thesis statement.
One-And-Done Guide To A-Grade Worthy Essays On Nature
Essays on nature vs. nurture. Merriam-Webster defines nurture as. "the sum of the environmental factors influencing the behavior and traits expressed by an organism.". - as opposed to those predetermined by genes, or nature. The debates about to what extension we are influenced by our genetics that is nature, and to what - by ...
A guide to writing a nature VS. nurture debate essay
The nature vs. nurture debate is quite a long one. And with it being the issue that is most controversial and most disagreed on among psychologists, it has grown rather broad since its inception. Some of the nature vs nurture essay topics could be quite controversial and thought-provoking. Writing Nature vs. Nurture Debate Essay
Nature Vs Nurture Essays (Examples)
WORDS 602. Topic Idea 1: The Role of Nature and Nurture in Human Behavior. Discuss the relative contributions of genes and environment to human traits and behaviors. Examine the interaction between genetics and upbringing, and how they shape personality, intelligence, and other characteristics.
Difference Between Nature and Nurture
The nature versus nurture debate centers around the relative contributions of genetics and environment in shaping an individual's traits and behaviors. ... Let us write you an essay from scratch. 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help; Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours; Write my essay.
Essay Samples on Nature Versus Nurture
The Role Of Nature Versus Nurture In Child Development. 4. Nature Vs Nurture And Its Impact On Child Development. 5. The Debate Around Nature Versus Nurture. 6. Application of the Concept of Nature Vs. Nurture to Serial Killers. 7. Analysis of the Nature vs Nurture Debate Based on the Novel "Frankenstein" 8. Nature or Nurture: Attribution ...
IELTS Writing
Model Answer. Every so often, it is reported that scientists have linked a new gene to a particular human behavior, for example, shyness or extroversion. As a result, some people say that nature is more important than nurture in governing how we behave. However, I believe that genetics alone cannot explain our personal characteristics, and that ...
Nature Vs Nurture Essay Writing Guide
This document provides guidance for students to plan an essay on the nature vs nurture debate. It includes definitions of key terms like epigenetics, nature, and nurture. Students are instructed to brainstorm ideas about what influences are innate and which come from the environment. They then conduct research on studies and arguments from scientists and psychologists on both sides. The ...
"Nature vs. Nurture" Debate in Education
In conclusion, this essay has explained the 'Nature vs. Nurture' issue providing arguments and evidence for the primacy of both inheritance and environment in learning and thinking. Each side leads to a different approach to education. If we accept the primacy of inheritance, this gives rise to the streaming of students based on their ...
Writing that nature VS nurture essay
Writing that nature VS nurture essay. The main difference between nature and nurture types of character-forming is the source of influences, nature - genetic or hereditary, nurture - environmental. An example of the debate could be whether obesity is passed genetically from parent to child or promoted by society.
Nature vs. Nurture
The expression "nature vs. nurture" describes the question of how much a person's characteristics are formed by either "nature" or "nurture." "Nature" means innate biological ...