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The  Nature  vs.  Nurture  Debate  

 
Are  people  the  way  that  they  are  because  of  their  genes  (nature),  or  because  of  how  they  were  
brought  up  (nurture)?  If  two  people  are  brought  up  in  the  same  home  environment,  will  they  be  
the  same?  For  years,  scientists  have  been  debating  the  answer  to  this  question.    As  you  read  the  
article  below,  look  for  evidence  that  answers  two  questions:  Which  argument  is  better—nature  
or  nurture?  What  makes  you  who  you  are?    
 
 
Background  
 
The  nature  versus  nurture  debate  is  
about  which  part  of  a  person  is  more  
important—their  inherited  qualities,  
which  includes  genes,  or  their  personal  
experiences  and  the  way  they  were  
brought  up.  For  years,  scientists  have  
tried  to  find  out  what  causes  people  to  
have  different  personalities,  behaviors,  
and  characteristics.    
 
Scientific  Approach  
 
The  nature  versus  nurture  debate  poses   Parents   pass   their   genes   to   their   kids.   Genes   are   the   body’s   “code”  
a  very  complicated  scientific  question:   that  tells  which  traits  a  child  will  have.    

how  do  scientists  figure  out  which  one  

plays  a  greater  role  in  the  development  of  a  person?  Many  scientists  study  twins  that  have  
separated  at  birth  to  answer  this  research  question.  Scientists  use  twins  because  they  have  
identical  genes,  so  it  makes  it  easier  to  observe  the  effect  of  a  person’s  environment.  Do  you  
think  twins  raised  in  different  homes  will  grow  up  to  have  the  same  personalities?    
 
The  Nurture  Side  
 
The  view  that  humans  acquire  all  or  almost  all  of  their  behavioral  traits  from  “nurture”  was  
termed  tabula  rusa,  Latin  for  “blank  slate,”  by  philosopher  John  Locke.  This  idea  proposes  that  
humans  develop  only  from  environmental  influences.  One  example  of  a  person’s  trait  that  is  
completely  determined  by  their  environment  is  native  language.  Studies  show  that  children  can  
learn  any  language  with  equal  facility1.    
 
 
                                                                                                               
1  Facility:  (noun)  ease  
      
     
 
The  term  “nurture”  has  historically  been  
defined  as  the  care  given  to  children  by  
the  parents,  with  the  mother  playing  an  
important  role.    Now,  this  term  is  
regarded  by  some  as  the  environmental  
(non-­‐genetic)  factor  of  a  person’s  
environment.  This  new  definition  of  
“nurture”  has  been  expanded  to  include,  
not  just  a  person’s  family  upbringing,  but  
also  everything  else  they  experience  in  
daily  life  including  advertisements,  media,  
peer  influences,  and  home  environments.    

 
What  makes  a  person  a  person?  Is  it  our  genetic  code  or  the  
environment  in  which  we  grew  up?       The  Nature  Side  
 
Some  scientists  have  concluded  that  a  person’s  nature—meaning  the  traits  they  got  from  their  
parents—have  more  power  in  determining  a  person’s  identity  than  how  they  are  nurtured,  or  
raised.  Inherited  traits  are  traits  that  are  developed  before  birth.    
 
Some  genetic  traits  are  highly  heritable2,  such  as  eye  color.  Some  disorders  or  diseases  are  also  
heritable.  However,  environments  are  still  influential  in  how  that  disease  affects  a  person’s  life;  
for  example,  people  who  are  born  with  a  disease  may  live  a  long  time  depending  on  how  they  
are  cared  for.    There  are  also  some  non-­‐genetic  factors  that  are  highly  heritable.  For  example,  a  
wealth  and  social  status  are  two  non-­‐genetic  factors  that  are  generally  passed  down  from  
family.    
 
Conclusions  
 
Some  people  criticize  the  whole  concept  of  “nature  versus  nurture.”  They  claim  that  it  is  an  
overly  simple  way  to  think  about  a  person’s  identity.  Perhaps  the  answer  is  not  as  simple.  Are  
there  other  factors  beyond  genes  and  environment  that  make  us  who  we  are?    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                                                                                               
2  Heritable:  (adjective)  able  to  be  inherited  or  passed  down    
      
     
 
Text-­‐Based  Questions:  
Directions:  Answer  the  following  questions  in  complete  sentences.      

 
1. Summarize  the  nature  vs.  nurture  debate.    
 
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2. How  do  scientists  study  this  question?  Cite  evidence  in  your  answer.  
 
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3. Describe  how  the  concept  of  “nurture”  has  changed  in  recent  years.  Support  our  answer.  
 
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4. Is  there  one  side  that  has  more  compelling  evidence?  Explain  your  answer.    
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Discussion  Questions:  
 
Directions:  Brainstorm  your  answers  to  the  following  questions  in  the  space  provided.  Be  
prepared  to  share  your  original  ideas  in  a  class  discussion.    
 
 

1. What  are  potential  ethical  concerns  in  studying  this  question?  Are  there  any?  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. What  makes  you  who  you  are:  your  genes,  your  upbringing,  your  experiences,  your  
decisions,  or  something  else?  Explain  your  answer  using  evidence  from  this  text,  your  
own  experience,  and  other  art  or  literature  to  answer  this  question.