HUMAN DEVELOPMENT - FACTORS AFFECTING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (Introduction to Psychology)

Summary

This presentation explores the delicate balance between genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) in shaping human development. It delves into how both genetic inheritance and external factors, such as socio-economic status, familial influence, and education, impact physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. The presentation highlights the nature vs. nurture debate, with examples of how environmental influences can modify genetic predispositions, like preventing diseases through lifestyle changes. Ultimately, the talk emphasizes that human development is a dynamic interaction of genetic factors and life experiences, underscoring the importance of both in determining who we become.

Takeaways

• 😀 Growth refers to measurable physical changes like height and weight, while development encompasses emotional, social, and cognitive changes over a person's life.
• 😀 Nature vs. nurture is the debate over whether genetics (nature) or environmental factors (nurture) play a larger role in shaping an individual's characteristics.
• 😀 Nature is defined as genetic inheritance, which includes physical traits, intelligence, and predisposition to certain diseases.
• 😀 Nurture refers to environmental factors such as upbringing, socioeconomic status, education, and life experiences that influence a person's development.
• 😀 Nativism is the extreme nature perspective, suggesting that traits and abilities are hardwired into an individual from birth.
• 😀 Empiricism, the extreme nurture perspective, asserts that all traits and knowledge are acquired through life experiences and interactions with the environment.
• 😀 Modern understanding sees nature and nurture as complementary forces, not opposing ones, with both interacting to shape human development.
• 😀 A personal example of hereditary disease shows that despite genetic predispositions, adopting healthy habits like exercise and good nutrition can reduce or prevent diseases.
• 😀 Genetics and heredity influence physical traits (such as height and eye color) and predisposition to diseases, while environmental factors further impact a person’s growth and well-being.
• 😀 Environmental factors like geographical location, socioeconomic status, family influence, and access to resources such as education and healthcare significantly impact development.
• 😀 Proper nutrition, exercise, and learning are key factors in supporting physical and cognitive growth, while neglect or lack of resources can hinder development.

Q & A

What is the difference between growth and development?

Growth refers to measurable, incremental changes in size and mass, like height and weight, which are easier to observe and quantify. Development, on the other hand, encompasses broader, qualitative changes, including physical, emotional, social, and cognitive progress across a person's lifespan.

What does the nature versus nurture debate focus on?

The nature versus nurture debate focuses on whether genetics (nature) or environmental factors (nurture) play a larger role in determining a person's characteristics, such as traits, abilities, and behaviors.

How is nature defined in the context of human development?

Nature refers to genetic inheritance, the information encoded in one's genes that are passed down from both parents at conception. It influences various traits such as physical characteristics, health risks, and even personality.

What does nurture encompass in human development?

Nurture refers to the environmental factors and experiences a person is exposed to throughout their life, including physical surroundings, social influences, education, family upbringing, socio-economic status, and more.

What is nativism and how does it relate to the nature argument?

Nativism is the belief that certain traits and abilities are innate and hardwired into an individual from birth, with minimal influence from the environment. It aligns with the nature argument, suggesting that genetic predispositions primarily determine an individual's development.

What is empiricism and how does it contrast with nativism?

Empiricism is the view that all traits and knowledge are acquired through experiences and interactions with the environment. Unlike nativism, which emphasizes genetic inheritance, empiricism argues that development is shaped entirely by environmental factors.

Why is the nature versus nurture debate considered an oversimplification today?

The debate is considered an oversimplification because it presents a black-and-white view of human development. In reality, nature and nurture are not isolated forces but interact and overlap in complex ways to shape an individual's growth.

Can you give an example from the speaker's family to illustrate the interaction of nature and nurture?

The speaker provides an example of a hereditary disease (chronic kidney disease, or CKD) present in their family. Despite having the same genetic risk, one family member's healthy lifestyle—regular exercise and good nutrition—has prevented the disease from manifesting, showing the role of nurture in influencing genetic predispositions.

What are some environmental factors that affect human development?

Environmental factors include geographical influences (like the community and schools), socioeconomic status, familial influences (parenting and family dynamics), nutrition, exercise, and access to healthcare and education.

How does socioeconomic status impact human development?

Socioeconomic status influences access to resources such as healthcare, education, and proper nutrition. Individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds typically have better opportunities that support healthy growth, while those from lower socioeconomic statuses may face limitations that affect their development.