Nature vs. Nurture

Arrange the following nine cards in a line from those which are mostly the
result of nature (inherited), to those mostly the result of nurture
(learned).
Nature

Nurture
Be ready to discuss why you placed your cards at any particular point…
The Nature/Nurture Debate

This debate within psychology is concerned with the extent to
which particular aspects of behavior are inherited (i.e.
genetic) or acquired (i.e. learned).

Nature is that which is inherited / genetic.

Nurture refers to all environmental influences after
conception, i.e. experience.
Lesson Aims

To define the concepts of nature and nurture and understand
the difficultly in sorting behaviour into either of these two
categories (task 1).

To apply the nature/nurture debate to the core studies and
analyse how the core studies provide evidence for
nature/nurture (task 2) apply this knowledge to the following
exam question:
Discuss how the developmental approach may provide evidence
for the nature/nurture debate [8 marks]
Task 2a – The Approaches

On your handout, draw a line from the psychological approach to the
related study examined in AS Unit G542.
Cognitive
Griffiths (1994)
Group 1
Developmental
Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961)
Group 2
Physiological
Savage-Rumbaugh (1986)
Group 3
Maguire et al. (2000)
Group 4
Milgram (1963)
Group 5
Social
Individual Differences
Task 2b – The Approaches
Cognitive
Savage-Rumbaugh (1986)
Group 1
Developmental
Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961)
Group 2
Physiological
Maguire et al. (2000)
Group 3
Milgram (1963)
Group 4
Griffiths (1994)
Group 5
Social
Individual Differences

In your groups, read the summary of the your chosen research and decide
how/why, your study provides evidence for nature/nurture. Using the
space on the reverse of your handout to make notes…
Task 2b – Feedback
Cognitive
Savage-Rumbaugh (1986)
Group 1
Developmental
Bandura, Ross & Ross (1961)
Group 2
Physiological
Maguire et al. (2000)
Group 3
Milgram (1963)
Group 4
Griffiths (1994)
Group 5
Social
Individual Differences

Each group will now present their research, commenting on how/why
their research provides evidence for nature/nurture.

At the end of each presentation, be ready to question their interpretation
and agree/disagree with their response…
Bandura – The Nature of Nurture
Bandura, Ross and Ross (1961)

Watch the following video clip explaining the findings of the Bandura study.
How might Bandura provide evidence for a nature based explanation of
aggression…
Discuss…
Discuss how the developmental
approach may provide evidence for
the nature/nurture debate [8 marks]
Applying Nature/Nurture…

Discuss how the developmental approach may provide evidence for the
nature/nurture debate [8 marks]
Introduction – Outlining the terms nature/nurture;
Explanation of how the developmental approach (using Bandura) typically
provides evidence for nurture (though social learning theory);
Explanation of how someone ‘might’ interpret social learning as an example
of ‘nature’;
Conclusion – Summarise how developmental psychology provides evidence
for both sides of the debate.
Peer Assessment

Using the mark scheme on the reverse of your handout, read
your partners work and comment on what is good about their
work, and what they could do to improve.

Try to award a mark out of 8.
Class Feedback
Questions

One the post-it note provided write one thing you found
interesting from today’s lesson and one question you have in
relation to nature/nurture…
Today’s lesson

Resources from today’s lesson can be found on
www.sparkspsych.com > Psychology > Nature vs Nurture. Or
by scanning the QR Code below…