The nature versus nurture controversy has both historical and contemporary considerations

Characterize the four historical and contemporary approaches. Present an example from on the
periods of development for the four concepts you present.

What will be an ideal response?

Biological / Genetic: Every individual is born with a genetic blueprint (DNA). Our genetic
blueprint provides the guide for our development, our likes and dislikes, aptitudes, etc. Although our
genes play a large part in who we are, they are not our destiny, environment also plays a role.
Example: Our DNA provides a blueprint for how tall an individual will be, provided the environment
allows for the full expression of his or her DNA (i.e. he or she is afforded good nutrition and avoids
toxins (prenatally and postnatally), etc.
Environment: An individual's environment consists of various systems which influence one another
(i.e. the immediate family, the extended family, school, peers, neighborhood, culture, economy, social
structure, government, etc.) The environment may play a positive or a negative role in one's
developmental journey. For example, it has been shown that if parents talk to their children often
using a variety of vocabulary words, their children will speak earlier, have a larger vocabulary and
have an easier time learning to read. Thus, the environment will have played a positive role in their
development. Inborn Biases: Children are born withtendencies to respond in certain ways. Some
inborn biases are shared by all children (i.e. the sequence in which children acquire spoken language).
Example: Temperament is said to be evident within the first month of life and hold some consistency
throughout the lifespan.
Internal Models of Experience: The effect of a particular experience depends on the individual's
interpretation of it, the meaning the individual attaches to the experience. Example: A student receives
a D on her first college paper. She may interpret this to mean that she will never succeed in college.