NATURE:
- This side of the debate has its roots in nativist philosophy, BIO & evolutionary theory.
- Believes that behaviour is caused by genetic determinism, inherited influences, maturational blueprint, neurochemical & hormonal influences and Brain activity. Methods employed are gene/chromosome mapping, twin & adoption studies, brain scanning, brain stimulation or damage studies and drug testing.
- Behaviour can only be changed or manipulated through biology such as selective breeding (eugenics), gene therapy, and brain surgery or drug therapy.
NURTURE:
- The root of this side of the debate come from empiricism philosophy, behaviourism and social psychology.
- Believes that behaviour is generated by experiences/stimuli from the environment and that we come into the world as a tabula rasa. The methods employed to influence behaviour are classical and operant conditioning techniques and manipulation of the social environment.
- Behaviour can be changed through manipulating reinforcement and environmental conditions. This side of the debate suggests anybody can be trained to do anything.
Interactionist View:
- Some researchers still aim to investigate the relative contributions of innate or environmental influences on behaviour.
- It is now accepted that the 2 influences form a continuum and interact (virtually inseparable) When trying to explain human behaviour we find ourselves looking into explanations from both sides.