Nature vs. Nurture - Part 2

Summary

The video discusses the nature versus nurture debate, exploring whether psychological characteristics are shaped more by genetics (nature) or by the environment (nurture). The speaker explains that while some traits, like Huntington's disease, are clearly genetic and unchangeable, others, like the language one speaks, are determined by the environment. However, most psychological traits result from an interaction between genes and the environment. A predisposition may exist, but environmental factors ultimately determine whether certain behaviors or traits manifest.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Nature refers to characteristics inherited from genes, viewed as fixed and unchangeable.
• 🌱 Nurture involves environmental factors affecting a person after birth, seen as more changeable.
• ⚔️ Nature vs. Nurture is often framed as a debate where traits are considered either entirely genetic or entirely environmental.
• 🧠 Huntington's disease is an example of a psychological characteristic entirely due to nature, caused by a defective gene leading to brain damage.
• 🧍‍♂️ Symptoms of Huntington’s include apathy, difficulty initiating actions, and involuntary movements, all stemming from genetic inheritance.
• 🔄 Environmental factors can influence the severity of Huntington's symptoms, but the core condition is genetically determined.
• 🗣️ An example of a characteristic entirely due to nurture is the language a person speaks, which is based on their environment.
• 🧬 Although language type is environmental, the ability to develop language itself may have a genetic basis.
• ⚖️ Most psychological traits are the result of an interaction between nature and nurture, with genes providing predispositions that are shaped by the environment.
• 🔍 In the next video, a concrete example will be provided to illustrate the interaction between genes and the environment in psychological traits.

Q & A

What is the difference between nature and nurture in psychological development?

Nature refers to the inherited genetic characteristics that influence behavior, often seen as fixed and unchangeable, while nurture encompasses the environmental factors and experiences that shape behavior after birth, which are generally viewed as more changeable.

What is an example of a psychological characteristic that is influenced entirely by nature?

Huntington's disease is an example where nature plays a dominant role. It is caused by a defective gene inherited from one's parents, leading to brain damage that affects behavior, such as apathy and involuntary movements.

How does Huntington's disease illustrate the concept of nature?

Huntington's disease is caused by a defective gene, leading to the production of a malfunctioning protein that causes brain damage. This condition develops regardless of environmental factors like diet or stress, making it a clear example of a fixed, inherited characteristic influenced by nature.

Can environmental factors influence the severity of Huntington's disease symptoms?

Yes, while the brain damage caused by Huntington's is inevitable due to genetics, the environment can influence the intensity of symptoms. For instance, certain environments may exacerbate or mitigate the behavioral symptoms.

What is an example of a psychological characteristic influenced entirely by nurture?

The language a person speaks is entirely influenced by nurture. For instance, growing up in an English-speaking environment will lead a person to speak English, while growing up in a Japanese-speaking environment will lead them to speak Japanese.

Why is the type of language spoken considered a product of nurture rather than nature?

There is no genetic predisposition for a specific language like English or Japanese. The language spoken is determined by the environment in which a person is raised, making it a characteristic shaped by nurture.

Is language acquisition influenced by both nature and nurture?

Yes, while the specific language spoken is determined by nurture, the ability to acquire language itself is strongly influenced by genetics, as humans are biologically predisposed to develop language skills.

Why is the debate between nature and nurture considered a 'battle' historically?

Historically, the debate has been framed as a battle because some people believed that certain psychological characteristics were entirely the result of genetics (nature) or entirely the result of environmental factors (nurture).

Can psychological characteristics be entirely attributed to either nature or nurture?

While some characteristics, like Huntington's disease (nature) or language spoken (nurture), can be attributed to one side, most psychological traits result from an interaction between both nature and nurture.

What does the term 'predisposition' mean in the context of nature and nurture?

A predisposition refers to a genetic tendency to develop certain behaviors or traits, such as aggression or alcoholism. However, whether these traits manifest often depends on environmental factors, illustrating the interaction between nature and nurture.