Trading Places Movie Analysis

In the film Trading Places directed by John Landis the argument of nature vs nurture was brought to the attention of viewers. In particular are you born a trader or can you teach someone to be a trader and potentially become an entrepreneur? Nature is the focus on genetic, hormonal, neurochemical explanations of behavior compared to nurture which is tall the behavior that is learned from the environment through conditioning (Voland). It questioned whether or not a homeless man on the corner of the street could turn into a wealthy well established businessman. The Duke brothers characters in the motion picture actually placed a bet whether or not it would actually turn out. Can the argument about nature vs. nurture actually determine the outcome …show more content…
However he was intelligent and understood how people acted which not only was a valuable skill for the Duke’s firm, but also played a crucial role when Louis Winthorpe III, wealthy member born into money and was a broker replaced, and him teamed up each other to trick the cruelhearted antagonists who put them in that situation. The show ultimately results with nurture triumphing over nature as the clear determinant for individual success. This was probably why this concept appealed to me. Personally I believe that we can be manipulated or aided if provided the opportunities for success. This is another reason why this film has a positive regard to the psychological concept of nature vs. nurture. It portrayed the actors in a manner associated with which one would expect if they were actually on opposite ends of the wealth spectrum trading …show more content…
Even when they showed images of “The Heritage Club.” This exert from the film was ironic in the sense that it state with liberty and justice for all, yet only members were allowed in. To get to the top you have to have the resources, a skill, an idea, or connections with individuals to help get you to a fair playing field as everyone else. With nurture these things are more radially available for the individuals in this film. Even when the nature of people is to do whatever it takes to maintain this place in the hierarchy or doing whatever they must to survive. This humanistic nature often involves stabbing others in the back like in the end the Duke brothers trying to throw each other under the bus in an effort to preserve their wealthy lifestyle. Compared to nurture where there is an environment of the persons upbringing has made the person who they are and conditions them for survival