Nature vs Nurture Essay Example for Free

Nature vs Nurture Essay Evolution vs. creationism, pro choice vs. pro life, nature vs. nurture, etc , these issues will always be debatable. These controversial issues will always divide the population up. Many people tend to put all their beliefsin science or religion. All are highly controversial and will be a major concern until the end of time. Nature is considered your genetic characteristics thatwere given to you at the time of conception. There are strong beliefs that â€Å"if mama does it, you will do it†. The individuals that truly believe this ideado tend to follow the footsteps of their parents. Individuals that are not strong enough to surpass their environment willalways fall into this category of prejudice from the environment. â€Å"Traditionally, genetics characteristics are considered stable and uncontrollable† (Jayaratne, et al. , 2009, p. 25). That is saying that a person can’t control the turn out of their life because it has been etched in stoned and there is nothing they can do about it. Nurture is considered to be the environmental characteristics that surround an individual. Our environment plays a big role in the way our lives unfold over time. Many believe that you can be nurtured to act a certain way or accomplish certain goals in a lifetime. â€Å"Environmental causes vary more in terms of how much stability and controllability they typically involve, unlike the genetic factors† (p. 25). If you’re brought up in a sound environment, you can usually control what course you are going to take in life. There is plenty conversations about nature and nurture. There are many characteristics that we get from nature and there many characteristics that we get from nurture. Even though we can be taught to act a certain way or do certain things, it is our choice to either go with the flow or create your own destiny. Just because we have good genes and a stable environment, doesn’t mean that were are going to be set up for greatness. We have to choose what we want in life. With that being said, characteristics that result from having a choice are said to be malleable and controllable (Jayaratne, et al., 2009). In my personal experiences, I can say that I was given natural family characteristics, nurtured by my surroundings, and chose to take my own path through life. I do agree with Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. According to Vygotsky, development of an individual involves a child having interactions with other persons (Crandell, Crandell, Vander Zanden, 2009). With having social interactions, this gives you a choice on what you want to do with your life. You can have the natural characteristics of your family, be nurtured by your surroundings, but it is your choice to go with the norm, follow your surroundings, or go in a totally different direction. References Crandell, T. L. , Crandell, C. H. , Vander Zanden, J. W. (2009). Human development ( 9thed). New York: McGraw Hill. Jayaratne, T. E. , Gelman, S. A. , Feldbaum, M. , Sheldon, J. P. , Petty, E. M. , Kardia, S. L. R. (2009). The Perennial Debate: Nature, Nurture, or Choice? Black and White Americans’ Explanations for Individual Differences. Review of General Psychology. 13(1), 24-33.