Nature Vs. Nurture - The Debate

     To start with, what does “nature vs. nurture” signify? Well, it is a psychology expression that queries whether heredity or environment impacts and manipulates the human behavior and personality. Many people argue that their character traits are innate; while others dispute that they acquire their character traits by learning. This term was first used on 1874 by Sir Francis Galton, who specialized on mathematics and other psychology fields. He became stimulated when his half-cousin, Charles Darwin, wrote his book on ‘The Origin of Species’, and therefore started originating the debate of “nature vs. nurture.” Sir Francis Galton favored the ‘nature theory’ and therefore utilized twins to prove his position. He even wrote a book named ‘English Men of Science: Their Nature and Nurture’ to state his nativistic speculation. A few topics that are involved in this debate of “nature vs. nurture” are: homosexuality, creativity, personality, athletic ability, criminal behavior, and intelligence.

     Moreover, this debate contains a dichotomy between the genetics and the environment in which people live. People approach to this subject in different ways. Some people believe that nature has been the origin of our evolution; while others strongly consider that we have developed and progressed as a human race because of nurture. Scientists have not yet taken a final verdict because they do not have a lot of evidence to support their opinions.

     I strongly deem there is no right or wrong theory. Both nature and nurture have maneuvered and influenced our lives. We all have different ways to act and react. It all depends on the way we were raised and how the genes of our family affect our personal lives.

Works Cited

http://genealogy.about.com/cs/geneticgenealogy/a/nature_nurture.htm \

http://www.psychology.sbc.edu/Galton.htm