The impact of heredity and environment is indeed undeniable and the two are significantly intertwined. The development of the emotional characteristics depends on the influence of the environment, but the physical genetic manifestations such as color of skin, eye color, height, etc. are maintained. The emotional characteristics for the most determine the shaping of the individuals’ disposition and character. As expressed by Collins et al., “Estimating the effects of heredity versus environment ignores the potential for malleability, even in characteristics heavily influenced by heredity. When environmental conditions change over time, mean levels of characteristics also change, although heritability coefficients (which are based on correlations)
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This source is valuable because it further proves the importance and significance of nurture and the ability to influence behavior based on experiences. The study also explains the significance of the age when the child is adopted, because it strongly influences behavior during adolescence. Again, this illustrates the significance of nurture. A study conducted by Schiff et.al in France observed 20 children who had been abandoned in their infancy. The children were separated from their siblings or half siblings and raised in homes with different socio-economic backgrounds. When comparing cognitive ability, the IQ’s of the adopted children, raised in more affluent adoptive homes, showed a marked increase of an average 14 points higher IQ levels, demonstrating, “…adoption into a well-functioning middle-class homes can provide a “bonus” in cognitive functioning of children involved” (Collins et.al …show more content…
The environment is established by parents, peers, and close friends, in addition to cultural, social, and economic experiences and has lasting effects in emotional development. Frequently, it can also be attributed to geographical displacement. Going back to Mairi Levitt’s three themes to what explain behavior evolution, it becomes clear that: “nurture is more influential than nature and that nature and nurture interact’ in the development of character. Despite the retention of genetic characteristic it is clear that, “…heredity and the environment do not act independently” (Ahmed 2). It is evident that environmental malleability plays a significant role in shaping character, and nurture is more instrumental in determining socialization and behavior. Also evident is that character is shaped by a combination of heredity and environment; however, environmental experiences have the ability to mold inherited dispositions. Even though heredity and environment add up to a total of 100% of influence, environment clearly has the stronger influence. As parents, educators, psychologists, and counselors look into the development of children as well as modifying behaviors in adults and children, it is necessary to examine the influence of the environment since, “. . . emphasizing nature (but never nurture) can be dangerous” (Levitt
This source is valuable because it further proves the importance and significance of nurture and the ability to influence behavior based on experiences. The study also explains the significance of the age when the child is adopted, because it strongly influences behavior during adolescence. Again, this illustrates the significance of nurture. A study conducted by Schiff et.al in France observed 20 children who had been abandoned in their infancy. The children were separated from their siblings or half siblings and raised in homes with different socio-economic backgrounds. When comparing cognitive ability, the IQ’s of the adopted children, raised in more affluent adoptive homes, showed a marked increase of an average 14 points higher IQ levels, demonstrating, “…adoption into a well-functioning middle-class homes can provide a “bonus” in cognitive functioning of children involved” (Collins et.al …show more content…
The environment is established by parents, peers, and close friends, in addition to cultural, social, and economic experiences and has lasting effects in emotional development. Frequently, it can also be attributed to geographical displacement. Going back to Mairi Levitt’s three themes to what explain behavior evolution, it becomes clear that: “nurture is more influential than nature and that nature and nurture interact’ in the development of character. Despite the retention of genetic characteristic it is clear that, “…heredity and the environment do not act independently” (Ahmed 2). It is evident that environmental malleability plays a significant role in shaping character, and nurture is more instrumental in determining socialization and behavior. Also evident is that character is shaped by a combination of heredity and environment; however, environmental experiences have the ability to mold inherited dispositions. Even though heredity and environment add up to a total of 100% of influence, environment clearly has the stronger influence. As parents, educators, psychologists, and counselors look into the development of children as well as modifying behaviors in adults and children, it is necessary to examine the influence of the environment since, “. . . emphasizing nature (but never nurture) can be dangerous” (Levitt