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NATURE AND NURTURE: ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON BEHAVIOUR

Plomin, R., & Asbury, K. (2016;2005;). Nature and nurture: Genetic and environmental influences on behavior. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 600(1), 86-98. doi:10.1177/0002716205277184

This blog will be my understanding from reading this text as a part of my research for my project proposal.

As I understand the study of behaviour traits began on the low in 1865 by a man names Francis Galton. He was one of the very early experimental psychologists and the founder of Differential Psychology. To define this "which concerns Itself with psychological differences between people, rather than on common traits." (g.Tredoux, n.d.).

John Watson (1930) is also discussed in the text as being a block within the development of genetic factors and the science. Watsons wrote an article called 'Psychology as the behaviourist views it,' This article pointed out several assumptions on behavioural psychology. The assumption was summed up to be that all behaviour is learnt, implying nothing was down to genetics. "we are what we learn" (Polmin,R.,& Asbury, K. 2005, p 87)

The text further explains genetic research that shared heritable influence in areas such as psychological, personality, cognitive disability, ability, drug use and abuse.

The text states (Polmin,R.,& Asbury, K. 2005) The "research has led to to growing acceptance of the role for both genes and the environment in the ethology of individual difference in behaviour"

Using the example and research of schizophrenia witch until 1960 was seen as an effect of environmental factors and blamed poor parenting. However, the twin study proved otherwise.

MZ twin = genetic identical

DZ Twin = 50% genetical identity is the same

If one of the MZ twins have a psychological factor such a schizophrenia the other is 45% likely to also have schizophrenia. On the other hand, in DZ Twins its only 17%. This is proof that genetically identical twins have a higher chance of suffering schizophrenia due to the genetic factors they share and not the environment. This is also backed up by adoption studies showing that the risk of schizophrenia is just as great if the twins are removed from schizophrenia parents and placed under someone else care. The twins will still have the schizophrenia genetics therefore show signs of the mental illness.

Further into the text it goes on to explain the non-shared environmental factors in which siblings who live together will have different from one another such as peers.

Firstly, shared environmental factors are parents, childhood experiences such as family break-ups, and socioeconomic factors. All these factors result in children growing up together from the same genetics to be similar. With that being said how are siblings from the same genetic parents who have lived together so different?

This is we're nonshared environmental factors come into play. Over two decades researcher have explored the scares resemblance between children living together and the non-shared environment. Friendships, health, chance and experience are all nonshared factors that can contribute to influence behaviour.

The text overall demonstrates that genetics and behavioural factors both play an even game when it comes to making us who we are. Several research has been carried out to prove the this from the likes of Francis Galton (1865).Twin studies have proven very important in the history of understanding DNA and environmental factors.

This text related to my current practice as I wish to delve into my own genetics and environmental factors of my being to understand how I became so much like my farther although he wasn't around until the age of 15.

Reference

G.T.. (no date ).Francis Galton as Differential Psychologist:. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:1caWwxN7pfMJ:galton.org/psychologist/+&cd=13&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&client=safari

Polmin, R., & Asbury, K. (2005).Nature and Nurture: Genetic and Environmental Influences on Behavior. Jstor and sage publication. https://www-jstor-org.libaccess.hud.ac.uk/stable/25046112?pq-origsite=summon&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents