Nature vs Nurture Essay -- essays research papers

Nature or Nurture?The Determination of Human BehaviourThe nature versus nurture debate has spanned over decades, and is proper moreheated in the recent years. Following the mapping of the human genome, scientists are pursuingthe possibility of controlling human behaviour such as homicidal tendencies or insanity throughthe manipulation of genes. Is this possible for us to ensure that humans behave in definite federal agencysunder certain circumstances in future? This is highly doubtful, as the determination of human behaviour depends not only ongenes (nature), but also on the environment (nurture). It is usually the joint product of genes andenvironment, one of the first principles in Leda Cosmides and John Tooby in EvolutionaryPsychology Nature and Nurture (attached). This remains our bases thesis. Introduction Take for example this Calvin and Hobbes strip. We assume that duplication is the same as cloning and therefore the two Calvins are patrimonialally similar. Hobbes (that is the tiger) implies in the concluding frame that the two are similar inbehaviour. Ignoring the absurdity, it brings us to a question Do genetically similar peoplebehave the same way? That is, can nature alone determine how one behaves?This seems quite impossible. Take another fictitious, but thought-provoking, example inMowgli, from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. He is genetically similar to all humanbeings and much less so to wolves, bears and panthers, but he behave more like the wildanimals. In this case, it is surely clear that nature alone cannot determine human nature. Theenvironment makes a difference. Behaviour geneticsBehaviour genetics is the study of the extent to which heredity (genes) regulate humanbehaviour. Genes are found in chromosomes which are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA). Our DNA strand determines not only our physical characteristics (known to soem as ourgenetic architecture) but also our psychological make up. The human genome project hasisol ated certain genes responsible for certain behaviour traits. For example dopamine isresponsible for risk-seeking behaviour, as well as hyperactivity (The Economist June 1st).Although the probability of altering genetic make-up and therefore human behaviour is... ...nbspThe effects of the environment also does not rationalise why some traits runs in the family.Charles Darwin, father of behaviour genetics, noted in 1872 that a gentleman had a habit ofraising his arm in motion of his face when sleeping and dropping it with a jerk hence hitting hisnose (Darwin, C. The expression of the emotions in man and animals) This is an uncommontrait. However, years after his death, his intelligence and daughter are also found with the same trait.Environment cannot give a suitable explanation for this trait. It also does not explain howidentical check who grow up apart can have the same behaviourism and why while biologicalchildren tend to behave like their parents whereas most espouse childr en do not. (As found bythe twin study and adopted study of University of Lousiana ) ConclusionTherefore, it can be concluded that neither nature and nurture is all responsiblefor determining human behaviour. Although genes contribute to our physical characteristics(some of which affects our behaviour) and our psychological frame of mind, our experience andeducation are also important in determining who and what we are.