Nature or Nurture?

[xEnergie]

Do you believe that humans are naturally born who they are? Or is it their surroundings that affect how they behave?

ex: born a serial killer

Discuss!

[Kätharina]

I personally think it involves the certain environment a person is brought up in, along side how they where brought up as a child, teenager and adult.
People's moral's are different, people have different or alternat perspectives on certain things, which affects on who they are, their certain beliefs and ambitions, fears, etc...

Definatly Nurture for me, anyway.
My family definatly explains my behavoir :aldo:

[aldo]

Nurture. Experience is the best teacher. :aldo:

Of course, character-wise. There might be some things you were given while growing in mother's womb or at birth but that's inevitable. And that example's just an over-exaggeration. A metaphor. I don't think babies are capable of killing, anyway.

[Kätharina]

they may have the possibility of gumming a homeless man to death :aldo:

[Nagase]

It's neither, the mind of a serial killer can't be put into 2 completly sepereate catergories. Some people kill because of their surroundings, some people kill because they enjoy it, some people kill because it turns them on.

I'm saying sometimes the urge to kill can sometimes be something your born with, something you develop or somethingaround you that has effected you or hundreds of other things.

[aldo]

That's speaking specifically about the serial killer subject. Your view in general? :aldo:

[Nagase]

This is my view.

You got a serial Killer, you can't say they killed becase

1) He was born like it
2) His surroundings effected him.

Because what about the other 20+ reasons.

[Dream Machine]

Both obviously.

If I have a certain combination of genes that give me a better chance of being highly intelligent, but I'm brought up in a rubbish neighbourhood, have poor nutrition and no support from my school/family/etc, I'll probably be stupid.

On the flipside, if I don't have said genes butI have an amazing private education from 5 all the way through to university, then even if Im not the next Einstien, I'll probably be smart enough.

Of course theres exceptions, blah blah blah. But the rule generally holds.

[Devious]

Nurture lol. There's a reason why 99.99% of serial killers were abused or otherwise mistreated as children, the other 0.01% having been raised well, but have mental illnesses.

[xEnergie]

It seems we all agree on the environment that one is brought up in one way or another... But what about those kids that are "natural geniuses?"

[Amleya]

Natural geniuses?? I think it's from early experience. :aldo: Define "natural geniuses" if you please, xEnergie.

[Ginryuu]

Nurture all the way. We are born with certain principles, but there is so much interfering influence all around us.

What annoys me these days is how kids are robbed of their innocence from such a young age.

[Devious]

Natural geniuses are born with exeptional metal capabilities. Doesn't mean they automatically become smart. They might learn faster or retain more info, but they have to actively learn it first.

The other end of that would be mental retardation, which makes up the 0.001% of killers.

[Misschoco]

Boredom contributed to this post>>I don't have a particular preference be it nature or nurture.Both I would say seem to have an equal influence on or lives.To put it this way>particular genes influence the development of a trait in the context of a particular environment-you could say both had an interpersonal relationship.Genes have been found to have a substantial contribution towards psychological traits but environmental deprivation etc largely influences how these are maintained or developed.

[Ice Prince]

This is tough.

I do think your environment has an effect, but I also agree that genetics make up a portion as well.

I'm bascially on the fence with this. :/

[Cactus Girl]

Well, I actually have a master's in behavior analysis, and as a policy, I have to take the nurture side of this debate. I work with children with severe behavior problems every day, most of whom fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. I work with the parents to help them make changes in the child's environment that will affect their behavior, and you wouldn't believe how changing a few little things can make the child seem like a completely different person.

I had one student who I started working with when he was 2, almost 3. His mother brought him in because screaming was his primary form of communication (i.e., he screamed and cried and tantrummed in order to get food, diaper changes, toys...basically whatever he needed or wanted). He did not talk at all. I worked with her and his grandparents and showed them how to ignore the behavior we do not want from him (the screaming and crying) while simultaneously teaching him the behaviors we *do* want from him (asking for things vocally), and now, less than 1 year later, he is talking in 7 or 8 word phrases and sentences. His duration of cries per day, as we have measured it, has dropped 99.2% since he first came to us. He's my favorite student :D I love bragging about him.

It's my job to make environmental changes to these kids' lives that will affect their behavior, and based on what I've seen and know, I have to say my opinion is that the main thing that affects our personality (which I believe is really just behaviors we display consistently across the course of our lives) is our environment, not our genes.

That's my 2 cents. :p

[Tina]

I voted Nature.

Despite learning environments at school, colleges or home, what is most important is an internal drive for knowledge, or any obsession one may nourish. Sometimes one needs to reject temptation and other rogue activities in order to preserve human moral.

There are equal chances for a person to be influenced by something good and something bad. Experiences may impel for the better or condemn that person forever. One can not always rely on chances to shape his character.

Let's say I'm at school. If I am easily affected by the languid aptitude, I will only waste time and rot before I sit for any exam. Even if teaching quality is mediocre, I have to still be able to independently complete tasks set at an international standard and not be hindered by slower paces set by intramural stipulations.
On the other hand of course, good teaching or instructing, like Callie's will of course assist the child to develop well.

[Misschoco]

Well, I actually have a master's in behavior analysis, and as a policy, I have to take the nurture side of this debate. I work with children with severe behavior problems every day, most of whom fall somewhere on the autism spectrum. I work with the parents to help them make changes in the child's environment that will affect their behaviour, and you wouldn't believe how changing a few little things can make the child seem like a completely different person.
Im not entirely convinced about nurtures influence. But I believe that environmental input effects the expression of genes. Gene environment correlations indicate that people with certain genotypes are more likely to find themselves in certain situations or environments. But traits that reflect an individual’s temperament are partially heritable.

I have to say my opinion is that the main thing that affects our personality (which I believe is really just behaviours we display consistently across the course of our lives) is our environment, not our genes.
That's my 2 cents. :p
I don’t think its reliable to say that a trait is most entirely due to nurture or nature in other peoples cases. Only in very few cases is it fair to say this. but I won’t try to contradict this opinion too much. Both nature and nurture make a variable input into our lives and the scientific debate still is trying to find a definite answer.
Overall the environment or are genetic disposition may determine some of our traits abilities etc...In the end our free will is what directs us and our actions so human behaviour cannot be predicted by genes and environmental effects alone.

[Bun]

Nurture, nurture, nurture.

People best learn and experience things from their environments, and I think nurturing plays the biggest part in how someone grows. I cannot, however, completely dismiss that nature has some influence as well, but I'm not waving around a degree in psychology. So...

[Misschoco]

Nurture, nurture, nurture.

People best learn and experience things from their environments, and I think nurturing plays the biggest part in how someone grows. I cannot, however, completely dismiss that nature has some influence as well, but I'm not waving around a degree in psychology. So...
I'm still not convinced-I only think that nurture has a degree of influence on how our genes manifest.Sure we learn from experience and these can shape us but like I mentioned before...

Gene environment correlations indicate that people with certain genotypes are more likely to find themselves in certain situations or environments. But traits that reflect an individual’s temperament are partially heritable.

It depends on how a person reacts to a situations or environment-Im hoping I made some sense.

[Tina]

I'm still not convinced-I only think that nurture has a degree of influence on how our genes manifest.Sure we learn from experience and these can shape us but like I mentioned before...

Gene environment correlations indicate that people with certain genotypes are more likely to find themselves in certain situations or environments. But traits that reflect an individual’s temperament are partially heritable.

It depends on how a person reacts to a situations or environment-Im hoping I made some sense.
I think its the other way around: nurture does not influence our genes, our innate tendency drives us forward in a particular situation or environment.

The "reaction" comes from our nervous system and hence still correlates with our natural inherited temperament and attitude.

Again, there are people who are totally impervious to whatever occurs in their surroundings because they have already harbored their own philosophy/ideas in life; on the other hand, some people are susceptible to their environment and become easily induced to smoke, engage in illegal or inhumane practices etc.

So I think its unreasonable to state that nurture shapes a human being.

[Misschoco]

I think its the other way around: nurture does not influence our genes, our innate tendency drives us forward in a particular situation or environment.

The "reaction" comes from our nervous system and hence still correlates with our natural inherited temperament and attitude.

Again, there are people who are totally impervious to whatever occurs in their surroundings because they have already harbored their own philosophy/ideas in life; on the other hand, some people are susceptible to their environment and become easily induced to smoke, engage in illegal or inhumane practices etc.

So I think its unreasonable to state that nurture shapes a human being.
This makes more sense then how I was trying to explain it.

Our temperaments seem to be inherited could explain why some babies cry more than others-okay I'll stfu im not making sense again.

I don't think its entirely safe to apply the effect of nature or nurture to a whole population.I'm not entirely sure why this debate goes on because nurture has a different affect on each individual.

[Pixel]

I think you can't really pick one over the other. :/

Nature will give you prominent traits through genes that will never change, and Nurture will help mold you to fit into society.

Both are equally important too. Nature makes you unique (because we all know that everyone will try and change everything to just fit in, well, most people. Stupid Trends.), and w/out Nurture, you would like, die or be made a fool of all the time.

Of course, this could also depend on if your a Rationalist or Empiricist.

[Bun]

I agree with the idea that you cannot apply this to an entire population, as it always and forever will be a matter concerning the individual and the situation. Yes, these ideas are of equal importance, I can safely say that, but in my experience, I still believe that nurture plays in more of a long term effect. Nature, on the other hand, can also be a perfectly good excuse for the things that people do as a reaction.

[Tina]

I agree with the idea that you cannot apply this to an entire population, as it always and forever will be a matter concerning the individual and the situation. Yes, these ideas are of equal importance, I can safely say that, but in my experience, I still believe that nurture plays in more of a long term effect. Nature, on the other hand, can also be a perfectly good excuse for the things that people do as a reaction.True, and that, as I mentioned earlier in:
Again, there are people who are totally impervious to whatever occurs in their surroundings because they have already harbored their own philosophy/ideas in life; on the other hand, some people are susceptible to their environment and become easily induced to smoke, engage in illegal or inhumane practices etc.
Basically it is the cause of the idiosyncrasy of each person, which is attributed to nature

but again, it is under debate.

[Misschoco]

I think you can't really pick one over the other. :/

Nature will give you prominent traits through genes that will never change, and Nurture will help mold you to fit into society.

Both are equally important too. Nature makes you unique (because we all know that everyone will try and change everything to just fit in, well, most people. Stupid Trends.), and w/out Nurture, you would like, die or be made a fool of all the time.

Of course, this could also depend on if your a Rationalist or Empiricist.
I can completely agree.What we say,act,buy,where we go to etc isnt determined by our genes but on the other hand people with certain genes are more likely to find themselves in those situations even so while a gene may increase the likelihood that you'll behave in a particular way, it does not make people do things.

[Mr. Gorilla]

For physical characteristics, I generally believe that it is the work of genes. For personality traits, the environment is the primary determining factor. For aspects that involve both physical and personality characteristics, I believe that there are numerous factors that contribute.

[Elyse]

We actually were talking about this in my Psychology class not too long ago. You grow up being taught what's right and wrong by your most influential peers as a child, your parents and/or guardian. Whether they are strict religious individuals or care-free folks who don't specify to the child the difference between right and wrong, it all varies around what you may be surrounded with. The people you surround yourself with make a huge influence on who you are and what you may become.

[DarkClone]

I think that both nature and nurture are equally important in determining what sort of a person we become. Obviously embedded within ourselves are some inherited characteristics, but our parents, friends and family have a huge influence on us as we grow up I think. Society in a way is essentially a garden where different forms of people are cultivated by a balance between nature and nurture, some miss out almost entirely from any form of nurture and lead some pretty troubled lives at times. I don't believe that parents are always to blame, a very small number of people are born to be bad, but on the whole, I think it's a bit of a balance :)