Question

Sociology: Thoroughly discuss the "nature vs. nurture" controversy. Define each term and the types of research that can provide data to support each argument.

Answer 1

This is potentially one of the most long and contentious debate within the realm of psychology, the nature v nurture debate. Defining each of he terms is quite simple and easy to understand as the lines are clearly demarcated betwixt the two: Nature: whether an individuals behavior is a result of, and hence determined by the genetics that are passed on by ones parents and ancestors. Or is it the nurture: that is - an individuals behavior is a result of their interaction with their environment and the experiences that they form thus.

In context of nature, gene coding and the genetic makeup doesn't only decide an individuals physical appearance and facial features but is also responsible for deciding an individuals personality characteristics.

There has been a research conducted on an extensive scale that was conducted between 14.5 million pairs of twins, wherein it was finally concluded that that nature nurture debate is redundant as we need to understand that these two streams the were claimed to be far flung, are veritably the waters of the same ocean. That is, the two forces aren't competing but are complimentary and build an individual through their constant interactive forces.

This research has been conducted over a period of more than 50 years, published in the journal nature genetics. Dr. Benyamin concluded in the study that their are 50% forces on both the sides. Although, there were cases wherein the scale did shift, and those were in the cases wherein mental illnesses were present.

This of course meant that genetic has major role to play with those individuals who have a genetic history with respect to mental illnesses, as in the research for these people 70% was genetic and 30 % was nurture according to the results of the study.