In the nature-nurture issue, nature refers to an organism’s nurture to its
Multiple Choice
attributes; ecological heritage
acquired traits; heredity
biological inheritance; environmental experiences
personality traits; abilities
Prey.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
biological inheritance; environmental experiences
Explanation
The nature-nurture issue is a long-standing debate in psychology and other behavioral sciences that seeks to understand the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to human development.
In this context, “nature” refers to an organism’s biological inheritance—that is, the genetic makeup passed down from parents to offspring. This includes inherited traits such as eye color, height, risk for certain diseases, and even some aspects of intelligence and personality. These traits are coded in an individual’s DNA and are present from birth.
On the other hand, “nurture” refers to environmental experiences that influence development after birth. These include factors such as upbringing, education, culture, personal experiences, and exposure to various life situations. Nurture shapes how individuals grow, learn, and behave in response to their surroundings.
For example, a child may inherit a genetic potential for high intelligence (nature), but whether this potential is realized can depend heavily on factors such as quality of education, parental involvement, and nutrition (nurture).
Modern science, particularly in fields like developmental psychology and behavioral genetics, recognizes that both nature and nurture interact in complex ways. Traits like personality, behavior, and intelligence are rarely determined by genes alone or environment alone. Instead, genes may set the foundation, while the environment influences how and to what extent these traits are expressed.
Thus, the correct pairing in the question is:
- Nature = biological inheritance
- Nurture = environmental experiences
This framing helps clarify that while we are born with certain biological predispositions, our environment plays a crucial role in shaping who we become. The interaction between nature and nurture is now seen as essential for understanding human growth and development.
