Nature vs. Nurture
(via)
or
“Why we are who we are”
Dr. Swoap
Intro to Psychology
Fundamental Question
How are we
shaped by
both our
heredity
and
life history?
Behavior Genetics
•Attempts to explain
individual differences
–Twin studies
–Adoption studies
• Heritability: The proportion
of variation among
individuals that we can
attribute to genes
• Temperament and
Personality: Were you born
that way?
Evolutionary Psychology
•How does natural
selection work with
regards to behavior?
–Survival-oriented
behavior is passed on
Evolutionary Psychology
and sexual behavior
•Survey:
–Question 1: A sunny afternoon on vacation…
You are relaxing by the ocean. A person you
don’t know, but whom you think is really goodlooking, comes up to you and says: “I find you
really attractive. I’d like to sleep with you
tonight.” What would you do/say?
–Question 2: How often do you think about sex?
How often do you think
about sex?
•Energizing and directing arousal
•It’s an interplay of internal and external
stimuli
•Internal: Hormones, brain structures,
neurotransmitters, imagined stimuli
•External: Environmental and
sociocultural factors
Environmental
Influences
–Five ways we are shaped along with genes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prenatal environment
Early experience
Peer Influence
Culture
Gender influences
Keep in mind that our genes influence the nurture
and experiences we seek. (My children and their
temperaments influence my parenting.)
1. Prenatal environment influences
–
•
2. Early experience
Multiple studies emphasize the importance of
stimulating experience &/or touch: Both
enhance brain development (as does physical
activity)
Rosenzweig et al., 1972)
3. Peer influence factors
4. Culture
–Examples?
• Food preferences, personal space,
aggression/violent behavior
• Obesity
–Cultural influences combined with a
genetic predisposition to store fat
Nature via Nurture in Obesity
ENERGY IN
ENERGY OUT
Increase in
availability of
high density foods
(sugar/fat are cheap)
Decrease in workrelated activities
Decrease in activity
of daily living
Increase in size
Decrease in cost
BODY MASS
Genetic predisposition to store fat
Nature via Nurture in Obesity
“Our jeans no longer fit our waist
because our genes no longer fit our
environment”
5. Gender Influences
Why are you a male/female? (Besides the
obvious reasons…)
Gender is a social category of being male or
female.
Gender development
starts early
Is it a boy or a girl???
Interactive model of Gender
Development
Child’s traits &
Biological factors
Parenting
style
Socio-cultural
factors
Socialization and gender
• Differential gender socialization
– Stereotyping
– Labeling
– Differences in Opportunities
• Gender and culture
– (e.g., rites of passage, expected
behaviors)