Nature-Nuture Debate

Nature-Nurture Debate
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Abstract
The nature versus nurture debate has been undergoing for many years. Psychologists have not agreed to what contributes to differences in human behavior and personalities. The nativist who supports nature purports that genetic makeup is what determines personality. On the other hand, empiricists are people that believe that the differences in environments that people grow in are what causes this difference in personality. I am against the nature-nature debate since it is not possible to determine objectively whether nature or nature is what determines personality. There are problems that are associated with this debate. Stereotypes and racial issues can arise when these debates focus on humiliating people due to their nature or environments where they live. This debate also tends to focus only on biology and the environment but fail to recognize other factors such as free will that can cause differences in personalities.
The nature-nurture debate has been going on for a long period, and it has been provocative since psychologists have not agreed regarding this topic. Nativists are people who believe beyond doubt that hereditary factors are the ones responsible for differences in human behavior. According to them, the human species is a creation of evolution. People are different due to their unique genetic codes. Behavior is influenced by genetic factors, and when a certain person portrays a certain behavior, it is because of certain hereditary factors that cause it to happen.

According to the nativists is that characteristics that cannot be observed when a child is born, it can emerge later in life when a child continues to mature. On the other hand, the empiricists believe that when a child is born their minds are blank and their minds are therefore filled when they continue to interact with people and the environment.
Practice Study #3 presents research on intelligence quotient (IQ). The research sought to find whether the differences in levels of IQ in children is caused by nature or nurture. The research was not successful since the measurements tests used to measure IQ had a cultural bias, therefore, compromising the accuracy of results.
The nature-nurture debate is a controversial issue that I do not support at all. I think that it is not possible to determine what determines a person’s personality. It is difficult to point out whether personality is determined solely by environmental factors or the natural factors. Researchers can go on with this debate for a long time, but personally, I believe that a definite answer to this issue cannot be found. It is not probable to have a clear sign whether nature or nature controls a person’s personality. I think it is not important to know whether nature or nature determines personality since even if a clear stand is obtained it would not help in shaping people’s behaviors (Goldhaber, 2012). Rather, people would continue to portray their behaviors good or bad blaming the society or their parents for their behaviors.
The nature-nurture debate is not ethical as it can sprout racial issues. For instance, the IQ tests that aim at measuring the differences in IQ of black children against white children could be a source of racial hatred and degradation. If the research found that black children have low levels of IQ as compared to white children as a result of nature, it could result in racial differences. One community could be treating the other with hatred due to such information. Such information does not help since it can be used against the minority communities. Stereotypes can occur especially with the minority groups when biology is used to determine abilities (Dowling, 2007).
Most people grow up in societies where they are taught the good and the bad and children continue to make their decisions regarding what they feel is right to do. Most behavior is influenced by people’s choices rather than their genetic makeup or the environment. This debate is therefore not necessary since there are other factors that influence the personalities of people. People can portray certain behaviors due to their interests or passion in things that they love, and therefore emotions play a big role in influencing behavior. This debate, therefore, fails to give space for the free will of human beings which is also critical in determining behavior and personality.
References
Dowling, J. E. (2007). The great brain debate: Nature or nurture? Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.
Goldhaber, D. (2012). The nature-nurture debates: Bridging the gap.