Brain Development

Some people say that the strongest influence on one's life is their genetic makeup and that a person's brain is "pre-wired." Kendra Cherry writes, " the genetic instructions a child inherits from his parent may set out a road map for development"(1) In class we learned that experience creates a bigger brain surface area. Experience allows for a person's brain to grow and develop. A person learns through experience and from their surroundings. Experience and opportunity opens a child's mind so they can take in the new information. Genetics does not help one to broaden their mind, that can only be done through nurturing. When a child is rewarded or punished for something they did, it is called "operant conditioning." Operant conditioning rewarding good behavior and bad behavior is punished in hopes that the behavior response increases or …show more content…
In addition, a child is influenced by his peers, which helps to "shape a child's values and personality" (Cherry, 1). That kind of experience of learning to share toys with peers cannot come from the child's DNA. John B. Watson was a firm believer in nature vs, nurture. He said that all humans are born with a "clean slate." All minds are blank at birth and that as one goes through life, one creates their mental slate. The experiences of hate, love, what is right and wrong. Watson says that one "must have these experiences to help you learn how to behave since you are not born with any knowledge other than those basic survival instincts." "It is important to remember that genetics are just one piece of the intricate puzzle that makes up a child's life. Environmental variables, including parenting, culture, education and social relationships also play a vital role," according to Cherry. This is not saying that nature has nothing to do with who a person is. Their genetics are the building blocks one can only continue to build on thru