psychology-health

The nature-nurture debate has long been a topic of interest among psychologists. However, it can safely be said that choosing one side or the other in such a debate is an incorrect way to arrive at any logical conclusion; “Individual development is always the result of the interaction of nature and nurture” (Pinel, 2007, p.31).

We are all different in complex ways; and it is not possible to quantify either the genetic or experiential components which produce a behavior. When studying the development of two individuals, it is feasible to assume that genetics play a more substantial role in their development than experience, if the subjects are selected for their genetic similarities. However, when the subjects are unrelated, the contributions of genetics cannot be considered.

As an example of individual differences; a large group of 45 year old men are racing bicycles along a twenty mile route. They stay closely together for most of the journey, but toward the end of the race, several have fallen way behind. They all finish the race, but there is a 45 minute gap between the first and last competitors. Although they have all been riding the same brand of bicycle, the differences in performance can be attributed to their levels of fitness, and not the quality of the bicycle.

 Nature and nurture cannot be used to measure individual differences, however, the interaction of both does account for individual development.

Reference

Pinel, J. P. J. (2007). Basics of biopsychology. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

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