Nature vs. Nurture in Human Behavior.
TITLE
To what extent is nurture more important than nature in explaining human behaviour?
ESSAY
Title: The Influence of Nurture vs. Nature in Explaining Human Behavior
Introduction
The debate over the relative importance of nurture versus nature in shaping human behavior has been a central theme in sociology and psychology. While some argue that environmental factors primarily determine human behavior, others emphasize the role of genetics in shaping individual characteristics. This essay will explore the extent to which nurture is more important than nature in explaining human behavior, presenting various arguments for and against each perspective.
Arguments for Nurture
1. Social Relativity of Gender Roles: Cultures around the world have different expectations for gender roles, indicating that socialization plays a critical role in shaping behavior rather than inherent biological differences.
2. Cultural Traditions: Cultural practices, such as religious observances like fasting or celibacy, demonstrate how individuals can override natural inclinations through learned behavior.
3. Inadequate Socialization: Cases of feral children highlight the importance of socialization in developing recognizable human behavior patterns.
4. Primary Socialization Theories: Ann Oakley's theories underscore the significance of early socialization experiences in determining human behavior, highlighting the primacy of nurture over nature.
5. Cultural Influence on Ethnicities: Different ethnic groups are socialized to adhere to specific norms and values, illustrating how societal conditioning impacts behavior more than genetic predispositions.
6. Influence of Socialization Agencies: Institutions like schools and workplaces contribute significantly to shaping human behavior through processes of socialization and re-socialization.
Arguments against Nurture
1. Biological Determinism: Talcott Parsons' theory suggests that some gender roles are influenced by biological factors, challenging the dominance of nurture in shaping behavior.
2. Genetic Influence on Aggression: Genetic predispositions towards aggressive behavior suggest that certain behavioral traits may be inherent and not solely determined by social factors.
3. Hormonal Impact on Behavior: Fluctuations in hormone levels can significantly affect mood and behavior, indicating the role of nature in shaping human actions.
4. Sociobiological Perspectives: Advocates of sociobiology argue that innate instincts such as hunger and reproduction drive much of human behavior, highlighting the influence of nature.
5. Maternal Instinct: Bowlby's research on maternal deprivation implies that maternal instincts may be biologically ingrained rather than solely socially constructed.
6. Genetic Determinants of Intelligence: Some researchers propose that intelligence is largely determined by genetic inheritance, challenging the notion that nurture is the primary driver of cognitive abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the debate over the influence of nurture versus nature in explaining human behavior is complex and multifaceted. While environmental factors play a significant role in shaping behavior through socialization processes, genetic predispositions and biological influences also impact human actions. Ultimately, a combination of both nature and nurture likely interacts to produce the wide range of behaviors observed in human societies. Understanding the interplay between genetics and socialization is essential for comprehensively examining human behavior.
SUBJECT
SOCIOLOGY
LEVEL
O level and GCSE
NOTES
**To what extent is nurture more important than nature in explaining human behaviour? Possible answers.**
Arguments for:
- Social relativity of gender roles, i.e. in different societies gender roles are different suggesting nurture is the more important.
- Cultural traditions, e.g. religion at times demands that we overcome natural instincts, e.g. fasting or celibacy.
- Inadequate socialization, i.e. individuals may not be recognizably human without socialization, e.g. feral children.
- Ann Oakley’s theories of primary socialization suggest nurture best explains human behaviour.
- Different ethnicities are socialized to accept culturally specific norms and values, different cultural norms and values point to the importance of nurture over nature.
- The role of agencies and processes of socialization/re-socialization in developing human behaviour in society, e.g. the hidden curriculum in school or the training in the workplace.
- Any other reasonable response.
Arguments against:
- Talcott Parson’s theory of woman’s expressive role is influenced by biological determinism.
- Aggression – it is argued that an individual’s propensity for aggressive behavior is genetically determined; aggressive responses are in our DNA.
- Hormones and changes in hormone levels will affect an individual’s mood and behavior.
- Sociobiologists argue that much of human behavior is driven by ‘natural instincts’ such as hunger, fear, or the drive to reproduce.
- Mothering instinct, Bowlby’s work on maternal deprivation concludes that the maternal instinct is innate.
- Intelligence – it is argued by some that intelligence is determined by genetic inheritance.
- Physical appearance is a key part of our identity and is inherited genetically, e.g. skin color.
- Any other reasonable response.