The Nature
Nurture
Debate
In your opinion, is behaviour
genetic or environmental ?
Genetic
Environment
Learning Objectives

To be able to explain the key arguments for why
nature may determine someone’s behaviour.

To be able to explain the key arguments for why
nurture may determine someone’s behaviour.

To evaluate the arguments in favour of nature
affecting someone’s behaviour.

To evaluate the arguments in favour of nurture
affecting someone’s behaviour.
Nature or Nurture
Nature: due to inherited characteristics
and our genes
Nurture: due to environmental influences
and learning
On your whiteboards, decide whether
you think nature or nurture for the
following scenarios.
Scenarios
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Phoebe loves Marmite on toast, just
like her dad.
Ernest lived to the age of 101
Patrick loses his temper easily and
often gets into fights.
John has just come out as being gay.
Beth has an impressive general
knowledge and is a quiz show
champion.
Nature

Individually complete the following: List all of the
physical features, behavioural traits and even
illnesses you believe you have inherited from your
parents or grandparents.
Is being a
criminal in
your genes?
In your opinion, is Criminal
behaviour genetic or
environmental ?
Genetic
Environment
Lombroso

Lombroso in 1876 argued that the criminal is a
separate species. Lombroso argued that people
were born criminal and you could tell a criminal
by the way they looked! He argued that the
physical shape of the head and face determined
the "born criminal".
Professor James Fallon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0HMhP4t3a
s
Thoughts on this?
Any other reasons why people may be criminals?
Sheldon

William Sheldon believed that a person’s body
type (which he argued was genetic) had a major
part to play in a person’s personality.
1.
endomorph (fat and soft) tend to be sociable and
relaxed.
2.
ectomorph (thin and fragile) are introverted and
restrained
3.
mesomorph (muscular and hard) tend to be
aggressive and adventurous.
The Jim Twins

Watch the case study on the Jim Twins and note
down the main areas of similarity.

Which side of the nature/nurture debate does this
support? And why?
What do you think?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Do you think your genes are mostly responsible for your
behaviour, or has your upbringing played a more
significant role? How much do your friends and peer
pressure influence your personality?
Do you sometimes think that you “can’t help” the way
you respond to certain situations? For example, do you
find yourself always wanting to be on time events? Is this
behaviour like that of one of your parents? Do you see
“nature” winning out in this example? Can you think of
similar examples?
Do your friends influence your behaviour? If so, how? Try
to be as specific as you can.
Are you influenced by what you see and hear in the
media? Describe the impact this has on you.
Are you influenced by a special adult in your life, such
as a relative, a teacher or a group leader? How has this
person helped shape your personality?
Feral Children

Feral Child

Which side of the nature nurture debate do they
support and why?
Why is the nature nurture
debate important for
sociologists?

Write a short paragraph answering this question.