Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionsThe DebateExamplesInteractionContemporary Views

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Definitions

The Debate

Examples

Interaction

Contemporary Views

Close

Nature refers to how genetics influence an individual’s personality, whereas nurture refers to how their environment (including relationships and experiences) impacts their development. Whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in personality and development is one of the oldest philosophical debates within the field ofpsychology.

Learn how each is defined, along with why the issue of nature vs. nurture continues to arise. We also share a few examples of when arguments on this topic typically occur, how the two factors interact with each other, and contemporary views that exist in the debate of nature vs. nurture as it stands today.

Nature and Nurture Defined

To better understand the nature vs. nurture argument, it helps to know what each of these terms means.

The Debate of Nature vs. Nurture

The nature vs. nurture debate centers on the contributions of genetics andenvironmental factors to human development.Some philosophers, such as Plato and Descartes, suggested that certain factors are inborn or occur naturally regardless of environmental influences.

Advocates of this point of view believe that all of our characteristics and behaviors are the result of evolution. They contend that genetic traits are handed down from parents to their children and influence the individual differences that make each person unique.

Behaviorism is a good example of a theory rooted in this belief as behaviorists feel that all actions and behaviors are the results of conditioning. Theorists such asJohn B. Watsonbelieved that people could be trained to do and become anything, regardless of their genetic background.

People with extreme views are called nativists and empiricists. Nativists take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics are the result of inheritance. Empiricists take the position that all or most behaviors and characteristics result from learning.

Examples of Nature vs. Nurture

One example of when the argument of nature vs. nurture arises is when a person achieves a high level ofacademic success. Did they do so because they are genetically predisposed to elevated levels of intelligence, or is their success a result of an enriched environment?

Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology

Psychologist Francis Galton coined the terms ‘nature versus nurture’ and ‘eugenics’ and believed that intelligence resulted from genetics. Galton also felt that intelligent individuals should be encouraged to marry and have many children, while less intelligent individuals should be discouraged from reproducing.

The value placed on nature vs. nurture can even vary between thedifferent branches of psychology, with some branches taking a more one-sided approach. Inbiopsychology, for example, researchers conduct studies exploring how neurotransmitters influence behavior, emphasizing the role of nature.

Insocial psychology, on the other hand, researchers might conduct studies looking at how external factors such as peer pressure and social media influence behaviors, stressing the importance of nurture.Behaviorismis another branch that focuses on the impact of the environment on behavior.

Nature vs. Nurture in Child Development

Some psychologicaltheories of child developmentplace more emphasis on nature and others focus more on nurture. An example of a nativist theory involving child development is Chomsky’s concept of a language acquisition device (LAD).According to this theory, all children are born with an instinctive mental capacity that allows them to both learn and produce language.

Nature vs. Nurture in Personality Development

There is also some argument as to whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in the development of one’s personality. The answer to this question varies depending on whichpersonality development theoryyou use.

According to behavioral theories, our personality is a result of the interactions we have with our environment, while biological theories suggest that personality is largely inherited. Then there are psychodynamic theories of personality that emphasize the impact of both.

Nature vs. Nurture in Mental Illness Development

One could argue that either nature or nurture contributes to mental health development. Somecauses of mental illnessfall on the nature side of the debate, including changes to or imbalances with chemicals in the brain. Genetics can also contribute to mental illness development, increasing one’s risk of a certain disorder or disease.

Mental disorders with some type of genetic component includeautism,attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),bipolar disorder,major depression, andschizophrenia.

Other explanations for mental illness are environmental. This includes being exposed to environmental toxins, such as drugs or alcohol, while still in utero. Certain life experiences can also influence mental illness development, such as witnessing a traumatic event, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Nature vs. Nurture in Mental Health Therapy

Different types of mental health treatment can also rely more heavily on either nature or nurture in their treatment approach. One of the goals of manytypes of therapyis to uncover any life experiences that may have contributed to mental illness development (nurture).

However, genetics (nature) can play a role in treatment as well. For instance, research indicates that a person’s genetic makeup can impact how their body responds to antidepressants.Taking this into consideration is important for getting that person the help they need.

Interaction Between Nature and Nurture

Which is stronger: nature or nurture? Many researchers consider the interaction between heredity and environment—naturewithnurture as opposed to natureversusnurture—to be the most important influencing factor of all.

For example, perfect pitch is the ability to detect the pitch of a musical tone without any reference. Researchers have found that this ability tends to run in families and might be tied to a single gene. However, they’ve also discovered that possessing the gene is not enough as musical training during early childhood is needed for this inherited ability to manifest itself.

A newer field of study that aims to learn more about the interaction between genes and environment isepigenetics. Epigenetics seeks to explain how environment can impact the way in which genes are expressed.

Contemporary Views of Nature vs. Nurture

Most experts recognize that neither nature nor nurture is stronger than the other. Instead, both factors play a critical role in who we are and who we become.Not only that but nature and nurture interact with each other in important ways all throughout our lifespan.

As a result, many in this field are interested in seeing how genes modulate environmental influences and vice versa. At the same time, this debate of nature vs. nurture still rages on in some areas, such as in the origins of homosexuality andinfluences on intelligence.

While a few people take the extreme nativist or radical empiricist approach, the reality is that there is not a simple way to disentangle the multitude of forces that exist in personality and human development. Instead, these influences include genetic factors, environmental factors, and how each intermingles with the other.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schoneberger T.Three myths from the language acquisition literature.Anal Verbal Behav. 2010;26(1):107-31. doi:10.1007/bf03393086National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.Pain O, Hodgson K, Trubetskoy V, et al.Identifying the common genetic basis of antidepressant response.Biol Psychiatry Global Open Sci. 2022;2(2):115-126. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.07.008Moulton C.Perfect pitch reconsidered.Clin Med J. 2014;14(5):517-9 doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.14-5-517Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9:13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13Additional ReadingBandura A, Ross D, Ross, SA.Transmission of aggression through the imitation of aggressive models.J Abnorm Soc Psychol.1961;63(3):575-582. doi:10.1037/h0045925Chomsky N.Aspects of the Theory of Syntax.Galton F.Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development.Watson JB.Behaviorism.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schoneberger T.Three myths from the language acquisition literature.Anal Verbal Behav. 2010;26(1):107-31. doi:10.1007/bf03393086National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.Pain O, Hodgson K, Trubetskoy V, et al.Identifying the common genetic basis of antidepressant response.Biol Psychiatry Global Open Sci. 2022;2(2):115-126. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.07.008Moulton C.Perfect pitch reconsidered.Clin Med J. 2014;14(5):517-9 doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.14-5-517Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9:13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13Additional ReadingBandura A, Ross D, Ross, SA.Transmission of aggression through the imitation of aggressive models.J Abnorm Soc Psychol.1961;63(3):575-582. doi:10.1037/h0045925Chomsky N.Aspects of the Theory of Syntax.Galton F.Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development.Watson JB.Behaviorism.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Schoneberger T.Three myths from the language acquisition literature.Anal Verbal Behav. 2010;26(1):107-31. doi:10.1007/bf03393086National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.Pain O, Hodgson K, Trubetskoy V, et al.Identifying the common genetic basis of antidepressant response.Biol Psychiatry Global Open Sci. 2022;2(2):115-126. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.07.008Moulton C.Perfect pitch reconsidered.Clin Med J. 2014;14(5):517-9 doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.14-5-517Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9:13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13

Schoneberger T.Three myths from the language acquisition literature.Anal Verbal Behav. 2010;26(1):107-31. doi:10.1007/bf03393086

National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.

Pain O, Hodgson K, Trubetskoy V, et al.Identifying the common genetic basis of antidepressant response.Biol Psychiatry Global Open Sci. 2022;2(2):115-126. doi:10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.07.008

Moulton C.Perfect pitch reconsidered.Clin Med J. 2014;14(5):517-9 doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.14-5-517

Levitt M.Perceptions of nature, nurture and behaviour.Life Sci Soc Policy. 2013;9:13. doi:10.1186/2195-7819-9-13

Bandura A, Ross D, Ross, SA.Transmission of aggression through the imitation of aggressive models.J Abnorm Soc Psychol.1961;63(3):575-582. doi:10.1037/h0045925Chomsky N.Aspects of the Theory of Syntax.Galton F.Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development.Watson JB.Behaviorism.

Bandura A, Ross D, Ross, SA.Transmission of aggression through the imitation of aggressive models.J Abnorm Soc Psychol.1961;63(3):575-582. doi:10.1037/h0045925

Chomsky N.Aspects of the Theory of Syntax.

Galton F.Inquiries into Human Faculty and Its Development.

Watson JB.Behaviorism.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?