YR 2: Week 1- TEST 1 Nature vs Nurture Debate

According to the nature side of the debate, what causes behaviour?

• Genetic and biological factors.

• Personal experiences and choices.

• Environmental influences only.

• Cultural norms and values.

Answer explanation

The nature side of the debate emphasizes that behavior is primarily influenced by genetic and biological factors, suggesting that our traits and actions are largely inherited rather than shaped by personal experiences or environment.

What is meant by the term genetic relatedness?

• Genetic relatedness is the measure of genetic similarity between individuals based on shared ancestry.

• Genetic relatedness measures the environmental factors shared by individuals.

• Genetic relatedness is the total number of genes an individual possesses.

• Genetic relatedness refers to the physical distance between individuals.

Answer explanation

Genetic relatedness quantifies how genetically similar individuals are, reflecting their shared ancestry. This makes the first choice correct, as it directly addresses the concept of genetic similarity.

Why are twin studies used when investigating the role played by nature?

• Twin studies are used to analyze environmental factors only.

• Twin studies focus solely on the differences between twins.

• Twin studies are primarily concerned with the impact of upbringing.

• Twin studies help isolate genetic influences by comparing identical and fraternal twins.

Answer explanation

Twin studies are valuable for isolating genetic influences by comparing identical twins, who share 100% of their genes, with fraternal twins, who share about 50%. This comparison helps researchers understand the role of nature in behavior and traits.

Studies measuring genetic relatedness, use concordance rates. What is this?

• Concordance rates measure the degree of genetic relatedness by assessing the frequency of shared traits among related individuals.
• Concordance rates are used to determine the age of individuals.
• Concordance rates assess the environmental factors affecting traits.
• Concordance rates measure the number of genes in a population.

Answer explanation

Twin research shows that identical twins raised apart often exhibit significant differences, suggesting that environmental factors play a crucial role, thus challenging the idea that genetics alone determine behavior.

Which approach in psychology most favours the ‘nature’ side of the debate?

Answer explanation

The biological approach emphasizes genetic and physiological influences on behavior and mental processes.

Why is Bowlby’s theory of attachment an example of nature?

• Bowlby’s theory suggests that attachment is entirely a social construct.
• Bowlby’s theory of attachment focuses solely on learned behaviors.
• Bowlby’s theory of attachment is an example of nature because it highlights the biological and evolutionary factors that shape attachment behaviors.
• Bowlby’s theory emphasizes the role of parenting styles in attachment.

Answer explanation

Bowlby’s theory of attachment emphasizes innate biological drives and evolutionary factors in forming bonds, highlighting the nature aspect of human development over environmental influences.

Which approach in psychology most favours the ‘nurture’ side of the debate?

Answer explanation

The behaviourist approach emphasises the role of environmental factors like classical and operant conditioning and modelling in shaping behaviour, as opposed to innate biological influences.

Why is the behavioural explanation of attachment an example of ‘nurture’?

Answer explanation

The behavioural explanation of attachment emphasizes the role of environmental factors, such as parenting and social interactions, in shaping attachment styles, highlighting the influence of nurture over nature.

What does the interactionist approach believe about the causes of behaviour?

• Individual traits are irrelevant to behaviour.

• Behaviour is solely determined by genetics.

• Behaviour is caused by the interaction of biological factors and social contexts.

• Social contexts have no impact on behaviour.

Answer explanation

The interactionist approach believes that behavior is caused by the interplay between individual characteristics and social influences, emphasizing that both personal and environmental factors shape actions.

What is meant by the stress diathesis model?

• The stress diathesis model explains the interaction between genetic or psychological vulnerabilities and environmental stressors in the development of mental disorders.
• The stress diathesis model suggests that mental disorders are purely a result of stress without any genetic factors.
• The stress diathesis model is a theory that only considers genetic predispositions without external influences.
• The stress diathesis model focuses solely on environmental factors in mental health.