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Nature/Nurture influences on development
Flora R. Johnson
VTE-ED 571
June 5, 2011
Sheryl Bunn, M.Ed.

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Nature/Nurture Influences on Development
Researchers often use theories to identify issues and to determine what factors contribute
to or maybe inhibit the success of the theory. This essay is aimed to analyze the issues that
involve human development using the nature/nurture theory; and to expound on some of the
reasons it has been such a debatable topic for many years.
It has been reported that the use of the terms “nature” and “nurture” are used as
convenient catch-phrases for the roles of heredity and environment. ( What is Nature vs
Nurture?, para. 1). To view it in a more concrete way; consider the thought that you can’t really
change nature, and that you can grow into your environment or that you can nurture something to
make it grow into what you want it to become.
First, it is important to understand the Nature Theory (Heredity). This theory suggests
that there are certain physical traits that are inherited through our genes and these will always be
present, even though they may change over the course of time; but the Nurture Theory
(Environment) suggests that although we were born with these traits, they can be influenced by
our environment. One topic of the nature (heredity)/nurture (environment) theory that has
always been debated is that of personality traits. Each observation suggests that personality is
heritable to a certain extent. However, these same study designs allow for the examination of
environment as well as genes. ( Personality traits, para. 1).
There is a family in this author’s hometown that helps validate the nature theory in this
situation. They will be referred to as Mr. & Mrs. B. Mr. & Mrs. B have both been in previous
marriages and they each have two daughters from the marriages. Mr. B’s two daughters are both
academically gifted, and so are his two granddaughters. Mr. & Mrs. B. also have a daughter
together; and she is also academically gifted. Since neither of Mrs. B’s daughters from her first

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marriage were academically gifted; it is safe to assume that Mr. B. is the common factor that
carries the gene that affects his daughter’s IQ levels. The nurture (environment) theory can also
be applied in this situation. Mr. B’s stepdaughters were not as academically successful as his
biological daughters; but they lived in the same household and eventually their grades improved
just from being around the other accelerated learners.
Another issue that is debated frequently is behavior. So, was the way we behave
engrained in us before we were born? Or has it developed over time in response to our
experiences? (The Nurture Theory - Environment, para. 2). This topic can also be on the
borderline of both nature (hereditary) and nurture (environment). The genetic makeup and
mannerisms of a person can be heredity (nature), but the personality can be changed from good
to bad based on day to day situations and experiences. Behaviors can be modeled so that they fit
in with the surrounding environment. It is often easier to develop a negative behavior about your
circumstances than it is to change the circumstances themselves.
There are other physical traits and characteristics that can be included in the nature
(hereditary)/nurture (environment) theory that might not be as widely discussed as some of the
other debates, but these are still thought-provoking and will generate critical responses. One
might be interested in knowing if cancer or other diseases that doctors identify as being a risk to
certain populations are really hereditary (nature) or is there something in the environment
(nurture) that causes the disease to be more dominant in one group than others. For instance, if 3
members of family B develop breast cancer, does that mean it comes from a family gene, or
perhaps they all live in the same area of town and maybe there is something in the atmosphere
that causes cancer cells to develop? Another point of interest is the size of most, not all, oriental
people. They have a tendency to be small in body and statue. Is this totally from genetics

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(nature), or is it because they all model good eating habits from observing prior generations?
(nurture)
In considering the debate of nature verses nurture, it is hard to think of one or the other
separately; but they have to be viewed interchangeably in order to make an effective analysis.
The issues above are just a few examples of the nature (hereditary)/nurture (environment) theory
issues. There are undoubtedly many others and they will all require additional research and
testing before any definite conclusions can be drawn.

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References
(n.d.). Nature versus nurture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_versus_nurture
Powell, K. (n.d.). Nature vs Nurture - how heredity and environment shape who we
are. Retrieved from
http://genealogy.about.com/cs/geneticgenealogy/a/nature_nurture.htm
Powell, K. (). Nature vs Nurture - how heredity and environment shape who we are. Retrieved
from http://genealogy.about.com/cs/geneticgenealogy/a/nature_nurture_2.htm