Nov 8, 2017 in Sociology
Introspecting Nature versus Nurture Debate
The Book Discovering Psychology by Hockenbury and Hockenbury
Man is a complex being. Even before the establishment of the fields of psychology and neurobiology, scholars had been trying to understand various components that contribute to human development. Correspondingly, the debate on the effects of social environments and genetic predispositions on human development has yet to reach its conclusion. Some argue that behavior is social - it means we adapt and absorb society’s or environment’s general tendencies to know how to behave, while the others suggest that behavior is natural- physiological characteristics of a man determine behavior.
Presently, scholars seem to have reached an impasse by saying that both ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ aspects influence man’s behavior. Yet, there is still much to be discovered on the whole discourse on human development. This paper aims to delve into various positions regarding the “nature versus nurture” debate. More specifically, it describes contribution of the entire debate to the theories on gender. The book Discovering Psychology by Hockenbury and Hockenbury is used as the main source of this paper.
Gender Roles and Behavior
Gender refers to the assumed roles and behavior associated with a certain sexual orientation – male or female. These assumed roles and behavior are usually attributed to cultural and larger social predispositions of a society. By these characterizations alone, it is quite easy to assume what the “nurture” side of the debate is trying to argue. Most scholars advocate that gender is social – that is to say that ideas of sexuality and gender are adapted from a larger society. One of the leading theories that offers this explanation is the Social Learning Theory. The theory suggests that the exposure to different social institutions form and mold the gender concepts of an individual. These social institutions influence an individual according to the kind of society he or she belongs to.
For example, Latin Americans are known for having tightly knit families where religion is the base for such closeness. Hence, the gender concept of people from this society may come from Christian notions. Another person, who perhaps grew up in a more technologically advance nation, may form his or her gender concept on what he or she sees on the media – being more exposed to various forms of the media. The entire point of this theory revolves around the idea that human behavior is more complicated than born characteristics. The theory further suggests that environment forms these gender concepts through demonstration or modeling.
Summary
Contrary to this theory, other scholars suggest that hormones and other physiological factors contribute to gender conception as well. It, on the other hand, contributes to explanations of people who advocate the “nature” factor. They say that biological and other physiological factors are also inherent to the development of gender ideas and, correspondingly, the roles and behavior connected to such ideas. For example, testosterone, a hormone present in a male body, is said to affect overt behavior. It is often attributed to aggressive conduct. On the other hand, estrogen, a hormone found in a female body, is said to be the cause of certain emotional outbursts. Considering that these two hormones are used to determine the sex of an individual and that these hormones do affect behavior, it is quite easy to understand what the “nature” argument contends for. This explanation however cannot explain gender differences completely.
Moreover, these hormones are only said to explain visceral reactions or directly observable behavior. Accordingly, this biological explanation cannot account for the different cognitive processes and perception related to gender differences. Of course, it is does not mean that this argument is illogical and has no basis, rather it should be noted that understanding gender with the help of the “nurture” side of the debate explains much more the complexity of the whole idea of gender. Again, acceptance only of one theory presents an impasse for the whole point of the debate. This only proves that due to the vastness of whole idea of gender, trying to understand it through various perspectives actually explains much more compared to a futile attempt to understand it through one.
Order Now
Live ChatRelated essays
- Social Rights USA
- Race in Our Everyday Lives
- Discrimination against Women
- Stereotypes
- Subculture Theory and the American Society
Customer`s comment 14 days ago
Big thanks to your writing team for coming through for me with my last order. I didn’t give them a lot of notice, but they were able to come up with a superb paper for me. This is the kind of service that I love. Sometimes, I get forgetful, and I forget when my paper due dates are. It is so comforting to know that I can be in a rush and contact Essays-Writer.net and that you will deliver a great paper for me, no matter what. The fact that you include an anti-plagiarism report is great, too. I appreciate knowing that my work is totally original. Essays-Writer.net rocks!
Customer
Customer`s comment 1 days ago
Your writers are masters at time management. I turned in an order for four very difficult papers, and they were all written perfectly, even with the short deadline notice. Thanks, Essays-Writer.net!
Customer
Customer`s comment 24 days ago
Your writing company delivers for me every time. I have never been disappointed.
Customer
Customer`s comment 28 days ago
I was happy with the two essays that your writers did for me. Even though the subject matter was quite dense, they managed to come up with high quality work. This has been my experience with Essays-Writer.net, over the long haul. Each and every time I have needed a high quality paper, you have come through with outstanding writing examples for me. I am pleased to recommend your writing service to my friends and colleagues.
Customer
Customer`s comment 23 days ago
The work I received from your writers was much better than expected, especially considering the affordability of your services! This is so impressive! I wasn’t aware, previously, that companies like Essays-Writer.net even existed, but then again, I’m pretty sure you are the only one that is this good. I have heard a lot of bad things about other writing companies, but never a negative word about Essays-Writer.net. You are reputed as being the best, and I, for one, am convinced that this is true.Thank you for the outstanding job you did on my essay and research papers.
Customer
Customer`s comment 1 days ago
Thank you for the great paper! My professor gave me a high mark for it.
Customer
Customer`s comment 19 days ago
As always, your writers have completed another impressive paper. This time, the subject matter required a lot of research. They not only completed the research. They also documented it absolutely perfectly. It would have taken me months to write a paper this thorough and of this high quality. Thank you so much for your diligence. It was greatly appreciated.
Customer
Customer`s comment 23 days ago
I find your writing service to be staffed with serious professionals who understand the urgency of turning out great writing for your customers. I have ordered papers from you for a year and a half now, and each time, I have been given superb papers that were error free and interesting to read. I truly appreciate your efforts, and hope to continue to do business with you from this point forward. You deserve my loyalty, because you are certainly loyal to your customers! Wishing you all the best.
Customer
Customer`s comment 5 days ago
Once again, I have sat down at my computer, because I feel I owe you big thanks. There is just no way to express how grateful I am for everything you did to make my research paper as good as it was. My professor gave me an A+ on it, which is the first A+ I have received during my entire college career.
Customer
Customer`s comment 24 days ago
Now I know where to go when I need an excellent paper written on a short notice. I am very happy with the paper your writers just produced for me. It was absolutely perfect. Please thank the ones who handled my order and let them know that I will definitely do business with Essays-Writer.net again.
Customer
Customer`s comment 4 days ago
Dear Writers #0019, Thank you for taking such a good care of me. I apologize for being as picky as I was, but I was only reflecting the professor’s requirements. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I got my grades back. He gave me an A+ on the paper, which is almost unheard. The paper you produced for me included each and every thing that the professor had required. He is notorious for giving us next-to-impossible tasks to perform in his class, but you managed to pull it off. I don’t know if any other student has received an A+ in this guy’s class, but he simply could not find a single thing wrong with my paper! Yay! Thanks so much.
Customer
Customer`s comment 1 days ago
My professor told me that the essay you wrote for me was the best one in the whole class! Thanks for doing such a good job. Compliments from this professor are rare!
Customer
Customer`s comment 11 days ago
Dear Essays-Writer.net, You handled my rush order beautifully. I am still amazed by the quality of the term paper, because your writers didn’t have a whole lot of time to write it. Still, they did a great job and I’m happy that I chose Essays-Writer.net. Thank you for taking care of this in such an eloquent way.
Customer
Customer`s comment 13 days ago
Dear Madam or Sir, Thank you for your competence and high standards. My paper was wonderful! I shall recommend your writing services highly. You are far and above better than other writing services that I have used. Your professionalism, attention to detail, high quality writing and great prices are a few of the reasons why I will never use any other writing service. Thanks again.
Customer
Customer`s comment 22 days ago
I am getting ready to graduate in another week, but had to take a minute to jot this line because I want you to know what a help your writing service has been to me, especially during my junior and senior years. The work has been hard, and I have had to study virtually all the time. With you helping me out with my more challenging writing projects, I have been able to move forward and do well on my tests and other school projects. I will be forever grateful to you for your help, and I wish you continued success with your fantastic writing service. All the best!
Customer
