The impact of genetics and the environment has been a topic of lasting research that has not been finished so far. Psychologists still have no definite answer to the question regarding the role of nature and nurture. Some researchers stress that people inherit a set of specific traits that define their development and shape their behavior (Coon, Mitterer, & Martini, 2018). Others emphasize that the environment has a substantial effect on people, determining their choices. Notably, the two opposing views both have empirical evidence, which may seem the question to be rhetoric. However, it is still possible to assume that although hereditary features and the environment are both important, the latter is a defining factor in human development. In order to support this idea, it is necessary to have a closer look at such aspects as lifespan development, emotion, and motivation since they are central to making a human being.
Lifespan Development
All people go through several developmental stages that are characterized by certain peculiarities. Humans do not live in isolation, which is common for any species in the world. People live in certain groups that expand exponentially when an individual passes the corresponding developmental stage. Infants’ world is confined to their caregivers and close family (Coon et al., 2018). Toddlers and older children have friends and interact with different people outside their families. Adults create their own families, work on their professional growth, and have diverse social links.
Some believe that hereditary traits make people go through their developmental stages in a particular way due to a set of physical features and psychological peculiarities. However, hereditary characteristics may be developed or unnoticed, which leads to their decline. The story of triplets who were placed in three different families is illustrative in terms of the role of nurture in lifespan development ([email protected], 2019). The three boys were raised in different socioeconomic environments that defined the activities their families chose for their children. Parents also chose different parenting styles, which proved to shape behavioral models the triplets exhibited in their adulthood. The boys had different approaches in their professional lives, they also developed different coping strategies.
Emotion
Emotions play an important role in people’s lives, making humans human. The mechanics of emotions have been studied in detail, and people’s emotional reactions are associated with specific neurological and psychological peculiarities (Coon et al., 2018). People are frightened when they face a hazardous situation, and they feel happy when their needs are satisfied. However, it is impossible to deny that human emotions are often socially determined. For instance, in western cultures, males are expected to be reserved while females are allowed to display emotions freely (Coon et al., 2018). In their childhood, people adopt the corresponding roles and emotional patterns.
The role of emotions is exemplified by David Reimer’s story. The life of the boy who was raised as a girl but chose to be a man in his adulthood may seem an illustration of the role of nature (Asociacion de Bioetica de el Salvador, 2015). However, the environment played a crucial role in David’s life. After the surgical incident, the family raised their son as a girl, but he was not physically a girl. The child received mixed data about genders, as, on the one hand, the society with its divided roles shaped the way the child behaved. On the other hand, a psychologist tried to form (rather ineffectively) certain gender-related views. Negative emotions and social exclusion made the boy choose his gender eventually.
Motivation
Finally, motivation is another important driver of people’s development that shows the pivotal role of nurture. People’s actions are guided by intrinsic and extrinsic motivations (Coon et al., 2018). Again, people have different physical, mental, and creative potential based on genetic aspects. Nevertheless, their motivations are also shaped by the environment, which can be traced in both stories mentioned above. David wanted to fit in, which was essential for meeting his higher-level needs. He understood that he was not actually a girl based on the existing norms, so he chose to be a boy. The triplets had different motivations (regarding their business, their families, and other spheres) that were shaped by their relationships with their parents. While two of the brothers found their place in the world, one of them could not cope with depressive symptoms and committed suicide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is necessary to state that the environment is dominant, although genetic features are also important. Hereditary traits are the basis, but nurture shapes the way different features evolve or disappear. Humans live in groups that create norms and attitudes that affect such areas as lifespan development, emotions, and motivation. In their turn, these three concepts are the pillars of an individual’s character and behavior. A human being comes to this world with a set of features, but people also need to adjust to the environment, so they tend to use their hereditary scope to fit in rather than develop to their full potential.
References
Asociacion de Bioetica de el Salvador. (2015). Documental David Reimer [Video file]. Web.
Coon, D., Mitterer, J. O., & Martini, T. S. (2018). Introduction to psychology: gateways to mind and behavior (15th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
[email protected]. (2019). three.identical.strangers.2018.bdrip.x264-rovers [Video file]. Web.