The nature-nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in psychology. It looks at the extent to which the environment and biology determine the psychological characteristics. The debate encompasses many aspect of psychology and this paper will look at gender development and language development. Nature relates to idea that behaviour and though is innate, either through inheritance or instinct. It also suggests that learning is pre-programmed and since behaviour is due to genes and evolution, it cannot be changed easily. It is supported by the biological approach and is also supported by the effectiveness of biological treatments. However, if this argument is correct and all behaviour is biological, then MZ (mono-zygotic) twin studies should
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If behaviours are instinctive, such as sleep, then they should occur regardless of upbringing and experience. Mead (1935) carried out a study on three tribes in New Guinea for six months. She found that that in the Arapesh tribe both genders worked cooperatively, were responsive to others and non-aggressive. She also found that sexual contact was not a driving force. Both gender behaved in a manner that can be described as maternal and feminine. In the Mundugumor tribe both genders were, assertive, aggressive and ruthless. They were positively-sexed, in a manner that can be described as masculine. Both parents detested childcare and babies were hung out of the way in the dark. In the Tchambuli tribe the roles were reversed when compared to western society. The females were dominant and took care of trading, while males were more dependent and sat around in groups, gossiping. Males were considered sentimental and not capable of making serious decisions. Mead was criticised for bias and for becoming too involved in the study. Nonetheless, the results of her study are compelling and clearly indicate that gender roles are not universal. They are affected by culture and upbringing and thus determined by nurture. It seems that nurture is the determining factor of gender identity in the majority of …show more content…
It puts emphasis on the role of learning in the development of children. Piaget proposed four stages of cognitive development. The first stage is called the sensorimotor stage and lasts from birth to 2 years old. The child develops the concept of object permanence and learns to interact with the environment by manipulating objects. Next is the pre-operational stage that lasts up to 7 years. In this stage language development occurs but the child is unable to adopt an alternate viewpoint. Third is the Concrete operations stage, lasting until the age of 12, where children learn to apply logical reasoning. This applies only to object that can be seen or are real. Finally, the last stage is formal operations and applies upwards of age 12. At this stage, the child can think logically about abstract ideas and potential events. Although language development occurs in stages, it requires learning. Learning is affected by the environment; hence development is the result of
If behaviours are instinctive, such as sleep, then they should occur regardless of upbringing and experience. Mead (1935) carried out a study on three tribes in New Guinea for six months. She found that that in the Arapesh tribe both genders worked cooperatively, were responsive to others and non-aggressive. She also found that sexual contact was not a driving force. Both gender behaved in a manner that can be described as maternal and feminine. In the Mundugumor tribe both genders were, assertive, aggressive and ruthless. They were positively-sexed, in a manner that can be described as masculine. Both parents detested childcare and babies were hung out of the way in the dark. In the Tchambuli tribe the roles were reversed when compared to western society. The females were dominant and took care of trading, while males were more dependent and sat around in groups, gossiping. Males were considered sentimental and not capable of making serious decisions. Mead was criticised for bias and for becoming too involved in the study. Nonetheless, the results of her study are compelling and clearly indicate that gender roles are not universal. They are affected by culture and upbringing and thus determined by nurture. It seems that nurture is the determining factor of gender identity in the majority of …show more content…
It puts emphasis on the role of learning in the development of children. Piaget proposed four stages of cognitive development. The first stage is called the sensorimotor stage and lasts from birth to 2 years old. The child develops the concept of object permanence and learns to interact with the environment by manipulating objects. Next is the pre-operational stage that lasts up to 7 years. In this stage language development occurs but the child is unable to adopt an alternate viewpoint. Third is the Concrete operations stage, lasting until the age of 12, where children learn to apply logical reasoning. This applies only to object that can be seen or are real. Finally, the last stage is formal operations and applies upwards of age 12. At this stage, the child can think logically about abstract ideas and potential events. Although language development occurs in stages, it requires learning. Learning is affected by the environment; hence development is the result of