Ung 1
Stephanie Ung
Mohammad Javad Rafi
Human 1AS Sem
28 October 2015
…Nature and Nurture?
The field of performing arts is something I have been involved with since I was the young age of four. Others have been playing sports their whole lives, and some focus solely on academics. What is the cause of these special talents and interests some people have, and how do they achieve them? For years upon years, this has been one of the major arguments between psychologists and scientists. This overwhelming issue, “Nature vs. Nurture”, addresses whether people’s “behavior[s] are a product of either inherited or acquired characteristics” (McLeod, Nature vs Nurture in Psychology). Much of this argument is deciding which of the two, nature or nurture, is the sole reason for the way people act. However, it seems unrealistic to conclude that there is only one answer for explaining behavior. Therefore, it becomes evident that both nature and nurture play an important role in a person’s development.
From a personal experience, I can agree with the statement that nature and nurture are both incorporated in a person’s actions. I have been dancing and singing for fourteen years now. Every single person in my family is very artistic and musical. With both parents having been involved in singing competitions and even creating their own music band, it only seemed natural that my siblings and I would also acquire the musical trait. And we did. From nature, we achieved the artistic gene from our parents. Through nurture, we were constantly surrounded in an environment where arts was praised, whether it was through our parents encouragement or being in such close proximity to performing arts studios. Therefore, with both factors of genetics and environment, I developed into a very artistic person, continuing my love and talent for singing and dancing.
However, there is debate arguing that a person’s behavior is a product of only one factor, either nature or nurture. One example this can be supported by is the different manners everyone holds. Some children may lack the general manners and respect for others even with having very well mannered and respectful parents. This may be due to the environment and external factors they encounter while growing up that affect their behaviors. This is generally seen in lower, poor, impoverished communities. This could also be switched the other way around, children behaving well and polite but growing up with rude, unmannered parents because of a well-mannered environment they are surrounded in.
Ultimately, researchers have changed their views of attributing just one side as the sole reason for a person’s developed behavior. There is more evidence supporting this claim that genetics and environment both come into play, that someone’s characteristics is a combination of both. Without nature, or the genetically predisposed traits one inherits from their parents, one would not be prepared for life experiences they would encounter; but without nurture, one would not learn to adapt and apply those traits they acquired to everyday life. Therefore, this idea of nature versus nurture should not be seen as a competition or comparison, but as a mix, a united concept regarding both aspects.
Works Cited
1. McLeod, Saul. A. “Nature vs Nurture in Psychology”. Simply Psychology. Web. 2007.
<www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html>
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