Exploring The Interplay of Nature and Nurture

Saski J. Y & Kim H. S (2017) Nature and Nurture % their interplay; A review of cultural neuroscience. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48 (1), 4-22. Saski J. Y & Kim H. S (2017) Nature and Nurture % their interplay; A review of cultural neuroscience. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48 (1), 4-22.

The nature and nurture concept is a debatable issue that takes the interests of many people and psychologists across the world. Many people share their views to make it all clear and quiet vivid. The main reason behind the article is to make it clear how genetic makeup and the cultural environment play a role in behavior. As provided, the greatest argument is that there is a link between genes and the environment. This is to say how culture as an environment affect psychological outcomes and how genetic predisposition affects behavior. Another key point is built on how culturally shared patterns of behavior affect human behavior. All things considered as per my point, both genetic material and environment play role towards behavior but as we learn and observe we get an idea of how to conduct ourselves.

CULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR.

Taking a clear look at culture, it strongly influences individual’s personality because it is where behavior is passed on. People in one culture share same norms, rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members (John J Macionis & Ken Plummer 2012) and values which guide them on how to act. Taking it from the time of birth were a child is born not knowing anything about values and principles. To borrow an example from John Locke who believed in (Tabula Rosa) which suggests that the mind begins as a blank state, it infers that a child doesn’t know anything about self-conduct the parents are the ones who teach the child a certain way of acting. All this is attained through experience. As per the author’s view this field lacks a satisfying mechanistic explanation at the level of psychology for why these interactions occur, however cultural traits are adaptive, evolve, and influence the social and physical environment under which genetic selection operates (Boyd & Richerson, 1985). All these is hereditary and flows down through interacting generations.

The basis of nurture expands more to that in this way humans can be capable for regulating their behavior across the culture they belong to. As viewed that only humans generate and then rely on culture rather than instinct to ensure the survival of their kind (Boyd & Richerson 1985), this vividly emphasis that culture as our design for life determines who we are and how we portray ourselves. Even though culture plays a major role it is important to consider that through different cultures there are variations of social impact such as education level, wealth and status. Looking at children from highly educated families, they are most likely to stay decent and educated because they are always focused in academics since their parents afford and recognize the significance of better education. They are seen different from the children who are raised in a low income environment where education is less recognized. In that environment the children turn to forget the reality of life and mostly are vulnerable to societal jeopardies since even the parents care less about molding their behavior. So we can say culture cannot affect people in the same way since it varies within its cultural groups and across generations also.

GENES AND BEHAVIOR.

Our biological units are said to be contributing factors to behavior. Although the environment plays a role in human behavior, nature has the upper hand and larger influence (Behavior Genetics, 2009) .This takes us to realizing that at times people should not be put at fault or held responsible for how they behave since they inherited the genes from their parents and it is something they cannot control. Genes may affect how a child’s brain is connected. As the author has outlined that genetics influence psychological and behavioral predispositions. As part of our human brain, our neurotransmitters affect how we behave and regulate a variety of processes. In a perfect world, dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that is used for control between brain cells. One reason that dopamine is released is to help control behavior (By Sarah Fader, 2018). As an example its impact can be that it has effects of food, sex, depression and even abuse of drugs. Its deficiency can lead to Parkinson’s disease and too much of it can lead to Schizophrenia.

CONCLUSION

On balance, nurture and nature do not work alone, they complement each other. Our genes and the environment we live in determine whom we become. This is why exposure to an environment where there is excessive use of drugs can change the genetic expression. It can change how our neurotransmitters work. Getting well with understanding the interaction of genes and socio-cultural environment can help us know why and how we as people act in particular ways.

REFERENCES

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabula_rasa
2. [Locke John, An essay Concerning Human Understanding, Kenneth P Winkler Ced] pp xix (Editor’s Introduction) & 33-36 (Book 11. Chap 1, 1-9): Hacket Publishing Company. Indicianapolus, IN, 1996 [1689]
3. Psycnet.apa.org/record/1985-97763-000 By R Boyd-1985
4. Boyd; R, & Richerson. P J (1985). Culture and the evolutionary Process. Chicago, IL,US: University of Chicago Press.
5. https://course.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/.../genetics-and-behavior/
6. Sarah Fader (2018), What is dopamine & How Does It Affect The Brain & The Body