Nature Versus Nurture Is A Controversial Topic Debated By Re ✓ Solved

Nature Versus Nurture Is A Controversial Topic Debated By Professional

Nature versus nurture is a controversial topic debated by professionals in the human services field. Your beliefs and values will influence your decision making and actions with future clients; therefore, it is important to identify where you stand on this issue. Tasks: Using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, conduct research to support your view on the nature versus nurture debate and respond to the following questions: What are your views on how nature (genetic and hereditary influences) and nurture (environmental influences) shape human development across the life span? Support your views with examples. Which area has more impact on human development, and why? Discuss in terms of a global impact and specific issues such as personality development, intelligence, mental illness, substance abuse, and sexual identity. How might your beliefs about nature versus nurture influence your future work in the human services field? For example, if an administrator at a community service board believes that mental illness is related to environmental stressors, how might this influence agency policy? What if the administrator holds the opposite belief—that mental illness can be attributed to primarily biological causes? Submission Details: By Saturday, January 9, 2016, post your responses to this Discussion Area in a minimum of 300 words. Your response should rely upon at least two sources from professional literature. This may include the Argosy University online library resources, relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (.edu, .org, or .gov). Write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA format); and use accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the age-old debate of nature versus nurture is essential for human service professionals, as it influences both their theoretical perspectives and practical approaches to client care. This essay explores personal views on how genetic and environmental factors shape human development across the lifespan, analyzes which has more impact, and considers the implications of these beliefs for future practice.

Personal Views on Nature and Nurture

I believe that both nature and nurture play crucial roles in shaping human development, but their relative influence varies depending on the context. Genetic and hereditary factors, or nature, provide the biological blueprint for an individual's physical and psychological traits. For example, intelligence has been shown to have a significant genetic component, as evidenced by studies on twins reared apart (Bouchard et al., 1990). Conversely, nurture, or environmental influences, affect how these genetic potentials are expressed through interactions with family, society, and cultural contexts. For instance, a child with a genetic predisposition for high intelligence may not reach their full potential without appropriate educational and environmental support (Plomin & Deary, 2015).

Impact on Human Development

While both factors are essential, I argue that environmental influences—nurture—may have a more immediate and malleable impact on human development. For example, in cases of mental illness, environmental stressors such as trauma or socioeconomic hardship can precipitate or exacerbate symptoms (Kessler et al., 2007). Conversely, genetic predispositions may lay dormant unless triggered by environmental factors (Caspi et al., 2003). In terms of personality development, nurturing environments can foster resilience and adaptive behaviors, whereas genetic predispositions may set certain baseline tendencies.

Global and Specific Issues

Globally, recognizing the interplay of nature and nurture is critical in addressing issues like substance abuse and sexual identity. Substance abuse can result from genetic vulnerabilities combined with environmental influences such as peer pressure or trauma (Volkow et al., 2016). Likewise, sexual identity development is shaped by a complex interaction between biological factors and social environment, including cultural norms and personal experiences (Diamond, 2013). Understanding these dimensions assists human service practitioners in providing culturally competent and individualized interventions.

Beliefs and Future Practice

My beliefs about the relative impacts of nature and nurture will influence my future work in human services. If I believe environmental factors predominantly influence mental illness, I might focus on creating supportive, trauma-informed care environments and advocating for policies that address social determinants of health. Conversely, if I view biological factors as primary, I may emphasize medical interventions and genetic research. For example, a community agency led by an administrator who emphasizes environmental causes might prioritize psychosocial interventions, while one focusing on genetic factors may invest more in medication management (Kendler et al., 2011). A balanced understanding supports comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches essential for effective practice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the debate between nature and nurture remains central to understanding human development and shaping effective human services practice. Both factors interact dynamically, influencing personality, intelligence, mental health, and identity. As practitioners, recognizing the nuanced interplay allows for more holistic and culturally responsive interventions, ultimately improving client outcomes.

References

• Bouchard, T. J., Lykken, D. T., McGue, M., Segal, N., & Tellegen, A. (1990). Sources of human psychological differences: The Minnesota Twin Family Study. Science, 250(4988), 1605–1608.
• Caspi, A., et al. (2003). Influence of life stress on depression: Moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene. Science, 301(5631), 386-389.
• Diamond, L. M. (2013). Sexual Fluidity: Understanding Women’s Love and Desire. Harvard University Press.
• Kendler, K. S., et al. (2011). Genetic and environmental influences on the variance in liability to major depression: An empirical review. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(4), 347-362.
• Kessler, R. C., et al. (2007). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
• Plomin, R., & Deary, I. J. (2015). Genetics and intelligence differences: five special questions. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience, 33(2), 222-232.
• Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.