Nature vs nurture

Nature vs. Nurture Argument Nature versus Nurture, this statement has caused a lot of controversy, whether it is genes or environmental influence and effects of personality development (behavior, intelligence, and ability). Scientists have questioned this argument for hundreds of years, whether our development is in fact born or made. Some believe that it is only our genes; others believe it’s the environment, and others believe it is both, our genes and the environment. Either way this debate will continue for years to come. MY THOUGHTS ON THE NATURE vs. NURTURE ARGUMENT Ephesians 2: 3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by NATURE the children of wrath, even as others. We are all born sinners and nothing can change that. The world around us is full of sin, and being born into sin we learn sinful things. We all have a sinful nature, and the only way to change this is to accept Christ into our lives and become Christians. Even after becoming a follower of Christ it is still in our nature to sin. But our heavenly father can and will convict us of any wrong doing. Ephesians 6: 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the NURTURE and admonition of the Lord. This scripture tells us not to bring our children up in a worldly manner but to bring them up in a GODLY manner. Provoking a child to wrath would be a destiny of sinfulness. WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF NATURE vs. NUTURE? The history of this debate began with philosophers such as; John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau (Feldman, 1997). Locke believed that human behavior is influenced by only nurture. Meaning that humans are born with empty brains and began to learn and grow through their life experiences (Myers, 2000). Jean Jacques Rousseau believed that human development was genetic meaning that human behavior is developed the moment they are born (Feldman, 1997). Currently, psychologists feel that both nature and nurture depend on each other for a human to develop. WHAT ARE THE MOST ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS ISSUE? Evolutionary/Historic Characteristics In evolution, people know certain things about the world from birth but may change from the environment that they are raised in. The idea being that humans have feelings and thoughts that are involuntary, and can be changed over time. An example would be, if behaviors were observed in a pack of dogs, behaviors such as sharing and/or caring would be seen. Charles Darwin, a theorist who went into this evolutionary view in great detail is one of the most famous ever to write about this topic. Scientific Characteristics There is no proof that nature or nurture has a greater effect on a person’s growth but, there are many scientific views on the topic. Science tries to separate the different ideas between the two topics. Psychologist Sir Francis Galton was one of the earlier debaters on this topic. He spoke of the differences in his book “ English Men of Science”. MY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON NATURE vs. NURTURE God created Adam and Eve and he placed them in the Garden of Eden. He created them with intelligence, personality, characters, and with purity. Then he gave them special directions to conduct themselves in that garden. But because of the influence of things in that environment, they disobeyed God’s command. We are all created by God, just as Adam and Eve. We are all subject to the influence of other things in the environment that we are raised in which determines how we live, who we will become and essentially determine where we will spend eternity. References David G. Meyers 9th Edition (2010) Access Excellence: Nature versus Nurture University of California at Berkely; Nature vs. Nurture; Shady Guirguis King James Version Bible