Nature Vs Nurture

Points for Nature

1. Researchers from Edinburgh University studied more than 800 sets of identical and non-identical twins to learn whether genetics or upbringing has a greater effect on how successful people are in life. Participants were asked a series of questions about how they perceive themselves and others, such as "are you influenced by people with strong opinions?" Researchers found that identical twins were twice as likely as non-identical twins to share the same personality traits, suggesting that their DNA was having the greatest impact.
Genetics were most influential on people's sense of self-control and also affected their social and learning abilities and their sense of purpose. The study was focused on personality traits which contribute to our chances of success in life by dictating whether, for example, how determined we are to overcome challenges. The biggest factor found was self control. There was a big genetic difference in [people's ability to] restrain themselves and persist with things when they got difficult and react to challenges in a positive way.

2. Criminal Behavior: Some scientists support the nature theory as additional evidence indicates that some people are more inclined to commit criminal acts. In Iowa, the first adoption study was conducted that looked at the genetics of criminal behavior. The researchers found that as compared to the control group, the adopted individuals, which were born to incarcerated female offenders, had a higher rate of criminal convictions as adults.

3. Researchers place more emphasis on nature than on nurture in addictions. Studies show that alcohol addiction, for example, can recur in families and that certain genes may have an influence over the way alcohol tastes and the way it affects the body.

Points for Nurture

1. Psychologist John Watson demonstrated that the acquisition of a phobia could be explained by classical conditioning. He said, “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well formed and my own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take anyone at random and train him to become any type of specialist regardless of his talents,  penchants, tendencies, abilities, vacations and race of his ancestors.

2.  Harvard psychologist B.F. Skinner’s early experiments produced pigeons that could dance, do figure eights and play tennis. Today know as the father of behavioral science, he eventually went on to prove that human behavior could be conditioned in much the same way as animals.