Question

Please explain the difference between nature and nurture (nature versus nurture debate) on human development. In addition, provide examples of how each has had an influence on your development to make you the person you are today.

Answer 1

The nature versus nurture debate is a long-running debate about human behavior and development. The meaning of both these terms in this context is:

• Nature: A person’s characteristics are natural as they are genetically inherited and can be attributed to innate biological factors.
• Nurture: A person’s behavior is influenced by the environment he or she is exposed to and the   characteristics are acquired after being nurtured in this external environment.

I believe both genetics and the environment impact human behavior and development. Genetics determine height, color, and other physical traits of humans, but the development of humans mentally can be attributed to the environment. Although some characteristics are naturally ingrained in us, there are some more that we imbibe from our surroundings. We learn from our experiences and our personality even changes with time.

I attribute my height, eye color, skin color, etc to my genetics as I believe it to be a natural process, but here is an interesting observation I made over the years:

• I believe the quality of intelligence cannot be acquired from anyone or anything. My father, his siblings, and his parents are extremely intelligent people. I have always wondered how each of them was born so intelligent. Today, I believe genetics has a lot to do with their and my intelligence because people cannot really learn to be intelligent.
• Compassion is a trait that can be nurtured as we grow. My mother is a very compassionate woman. Growing up, she used to tell me to always be kind hearted and treat people with love and respect. My grandmother was also a very compassionate woman. So, I believe this has been carried forward through generations, not by way of genetics but by molding people to be compassionate.