Transcript Nature v Nurture: Pick A Side!

Nature v Nurture: Pick A Side!
Nature:
•We do what we do because of our –
•Genetics
•Evolution
•Behavior driven by…..
INSTINCT
Nature v Nurture: Pick A Side!
Nurture:
•We do what we do because of our
environment–
•Parents / friends /teachers
•Society / cultural influences
•TV! / Other media
•Behavior is….
LEARNED
Nature v Nurture: History
Europe
John Locke & David Hume- argue for experience
Rosseau & Kant – believe in “immutable human
nature”….instinct?
Sir Francis Galton “Hereditary Genius” in 1869success runs in families…must be nature
Monarchies – kings are kings because of birth
(Cinderella, Prince & Pauper)
Nature v Nurture: History(2)
Other Nature “evidence”
Charles Darwin-Galton’s cousin- “Natural Selection”
helps species evolve…..survival of fittest
William James – humans the most instinctual of
animals
Adolph Hitler – “Aryan race” would return Germany
to glory….led to Holocaust
Nature v Nurture: History(3)
Other Nature ideas…..United States
- By 1917, fifteen US states had eugenics laws to
sterilize:
•Epileptics
•the mentally ill
•Criminals
- 3rd International Congress in ’32 discusses
“problems of African-Americans and needs to
“cut off bad stock” ….Bushes & Rockefellers
(http://www.trunkerton.fsnet.co.uk/Eugenics.htm)
Nature v Nurture: History(4)
Nurture ideas:
By 20th Century, most American scientists lean
towards nurture
John B. Watson: father of modern
advertising….uses Pavlov’s conditioned reflex”
Sigmund Freud: early experiences determine
later functioning
B.F. Skinner: Behaviorism/Operant Conditioning
– all behavior is result of rewards & punishments
Nature v Nurture: Questions
How do YOU explain:
•Twins preferences?
•Sibling similarities / dis-similarities?
•Alcoholism, Depression & other mental illness?
•Food preferences / Cultural specific behavior?
•Fears (snakes / spiders/ people)?
Nature v Nurture: Questions(2)
How do YOU explain:
•Language?
•Love?
•Criminal Behavior?
•Antisocial Behavior?
•Homosexuality?
•Religion?
Nature v Nurture: Think
Nature argument
If we consider genetics to determine our
destiny, then why have special needs
programs?
http://www.sfu.ca/~dant/projects/psyc100/nature_nurture/
Nature v Nurture: Think(2)
Nurture argument
If the environment shapes our minds, then
parents are to blame for troublesome
children or…
…….anyone can be President