There is continuing controversy over whether specific psychological disorders are chiefly biological in origin (nature) or result primarily from learning and experience (nurture). Select any two disorders from this week's readings and prepare arguments for both the nature and nurture positions for both disorders.Psychological Disorders: "Mental processes and/or behavior patterns that cause emotional distress and/or substantial impairment in functioning." (Wood, Wood, & Boyd, 2014, pg. 393)Nature vs. Nurture"The Nature vs. Nurture debate centers on the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development" (Cherry, 2018). Nature refers to biological factors that influence who we are such as appearance, personality, etc. Whereas nurture focuses on environmental factors that impact who we are such as culture, relationships, and childhood. Anxiety and major depressive disorder show examples of both opposing arguments. Anxiety demonstrates nature and nurture. An example of nature is obsessive-compulsive disorder other known as (OCD).
OCD is a form of anxiety that has been proven to be genetically linked. Often someone suffering from OCD feels that they have no control over what's happening. Sometimes these people feel the need to repeat behaviors. For example, turning the light on and off three times before leaving the room. There is no logical connection. However, performing this behavior, they make an imaginative connection to the idea that they must complete this behavior three times to feel that they are going to be okay. Therefore, showing a genetic component. However, PTSD demonstrates a much more environmental approach. PTSD exhibits a person who experiences trauma or left in a situation where the felt they were in danger. When exposed to these circumstances a natural reaction occurs, thus, resulting in symptoms of PTSD. Therefore, we can see that anxiety is both nature and nurture. The major depressive disorder also establishes between biological factors and life events. Some situations and circumstances can trigger a depressive episode. Although, some people may experience a depressive episode without an external event. For example, some people are deficient in serotonin.
Serotonin is a chemical within our brain that is considered to be a natural mood stabilizer, along with its many other functions. These people are more likely to experience depression following a stressful event. Furthermore, we could have two people face the same stressful event. However, only the person deficient in serotonin will actually result in depression. Therefore, we can see that environment or the nurture which is the stressful event or the biological factors, the lack of serotonin as nature. Anxiety has been a prominent struggle in my family history. I experience anxiety and have battled with it for years, to the point of seeking further help. Applying this method, I believe that my fear comes from more of an environmental approach. Over the years I have observed family members and their reactions to stressful events or circumstances. I believe that I have adopted some of these patterns and tendencies throughout my life. Thus, leading to my development of anxiety. However, it is essential to know that anxiety can be controllable. Doing this assignment has given me a better understanding of where anxiety roots from and gave me the opportunity to gain more knowledge on my disorder.
