Nature vs. Nurture Psychology Essay
Nature vs. Nurture Psychology Essay
This week you will explore the issue of Nature vs. Nurture in psychology with two very powerful and emotional case studies.
The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in psychology. The debate centers on the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development.
After watching David Reimer’s case study (https://youtu.be/JfeGf4Ei7F0), please explore the nature vs. nurture issue.
A document is attached to guide your learning.
Please answer the following questions:
1. Some people have argued that the Johns Hopkins psychologist used this opportunity as an experiment to test his nurture theory of gender identity. What are the expected results of this experiment, assuming that the nurture theory is valid?
2. According to the nurture theory, predict the gender identity Bruce would express if he were not subjected to gender re-assignment surgery and raised as a boy?
3. What, if any, aspects of David’s experiences support the nurture theory of gender identity?
4. What, if any, aspects of David’s experiences support the nature theory of gender identity
Now after watching the case study of Genie (https://youtu.be/VjZolHCrC8E) who spent her early life chained in her bedroom, answer the following questions:
1. What is sensitive period in development and what evidence did we find with Genie’s progress in language development to support the idea of sensitive period?
2. What are some physical, emotional, and social consequences of Genie’s deprivation in her nurturing environment? In other words, how did the abusive home environment affect Genie’s physical, emotional, social, and language development?
What did you learn about the relative importance of Nature and Nurture in human development?