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4-2 Project One
PSY 108
SNHU
September 25,2022
POSITION PAPER a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 2
Introduction
In the psychology domain, the debate relating to nature versus nurture has existed for a
long time. The purpose of the argument is to understand whether human behavior, including
strengths and weaknesses are a result of the generic factors (nature) or they are the result of
external factors (nurture). Generally, people have conflicting perspectives about the topic. I
personally believe that ‘nurture’ or the external factors play a significant role in influencing
human behavior. For supporting my stance on the topic, I have used the behavioral perspective. a a
Human behavior is highly complex in nature and it is impacted by a diverse range of
elements. The nature versus nurture discussion intends to explore whether people are born with
specific behavioral traits (nature) or several factors that are beyond one’s control come into play
and mold one’s behavioral aspects. The people that believe ‘nature’ impacts human behavior
more as compared to nurture have argued that the genes of a person that is inherent from parents’
shape how a person behaves (Kristie, 2021). On the other hand, the supporters of ‘nurture’ believe
that when human beings are born, they can be considered to be a blank slate or an empty vessel.
The personalities and behavior that are exhibited by humans are the results of the response to
diverse environmental variables. External factors have the potential to influence psychology since
human behavior acts as the foundation of psychology and shapes how a person thinks, acts and
responds in life.
The behavioral perspective of psychology stresses the impact of environmental factors on
the observational behavior of human beings. In other words, it can be stated that the perspective
intends to capture how stimuli affect response of people. Human behavior is believed to be
something that is learned by individuals. For example, if an individual grows up in an unhealthy
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and toxic family environment, he is likely to show signs of aggression or violence. It can take a
toll on the person’s ability to engage in diverse social settings (de Vera, 2019). According to the
social learning theory by Bandura, human beings learn aggression through imitation and
observation in their environmental setting (Koutroubas & Galanakis, 2022). On the other hand, if
a person grows in a loving, caring and nurturing environment it is likely that he or she will
demonstrate behavior that reflects care, and empathy.
Environmental factors can be diverse in nature, such as parenting style, peers, size of the
family, culture, education, language and various other elements that exist in the external
environment. Watson, who established the perspective of behavioralism, has argued that all kinds
of behaviors that are demonstrated by human beings are the result of the stimulations that exist in
the environment or the consequences of the previous conditioning of an individual (Kristie, 2021).
The things that people observe around them play an instrumental role in guiding and shape their
behavior. The manner in which human beings are raised has a significant impact on the
psychological growth and development processes.
Conclusion
Thus, while concluding the position paper relating to the nature versus nurture in the
context of human behavior, the role of nurture is significant. Nurture encompasses external
variables that serve as stimuli and affect the response of a person. According to the behavioral
perspective of psychology, in the environmental context, a person’s behavior is influenced by
forming relationships, observing others and responding to elements like rewards or punishments.
The diverse situations, circumstances and variables that people are exposed to in the external
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setting come into play and influence how the empty vessel that humans represent gets filled.
Hence, nurture has a major impact on human behavior than nature.
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References
de Vera, M. L. A. (2019). Long Term Effects of Abuse and Violence on Children’s Behavior. Am
J Biomed Sci & Res, 4, 347-53.
Kristie, K. (2021). Human behavior: Nature or nurture? Evolutionary Psychology Exploring Big
Questions. Retrieved September 24, 2022, from
https://kpu.pressbooks.pub/evpsych/chapter/human-behavior-nature-or-nurture/
Koutroubas, V., & Galanakis, M. (2022). Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and Its Importance in
the Organizational Psychology Context. Psychology, 12(6), 315-322.
