Nature vs. Nurture

Started by Guy October 17th, 2009 11:38 AM
  • 699 views
  • 17 replies
  • Poll

Nature vs. Nurture?

Guy

just a guy

Age 31
Male
Florida
Seen March 26th, 2016
Posted January 22nd, 2014
7,127 posts
14.7 Years
Something that has been debated on for the longest while. Do you think nature such as genes plays a larger role on the outcome of one's future or do you believe nurture such as how one is brought up plays a larger role on the outcome of one's future?

For example, if your father is a great musician does it mean you have the genes to become a great musician as well? Or if you were adopted into another family and raised to play sports more than music, is it still in your genes to play music like your paternal father or does the way you were raised to participate more into sports have a larger effect on what you do?

Just something interesting I was learning in Psychology that I thought I could bring up here.
Seen April 9th, 2021
Posted February 5th, 2017
6,779 posts
15.5 Years
What I think doesn't have any effect on the actual outcome.
Nature plays a relatively larger role, but there are always exceptions to these rules. Mozart was a genius at music composition, and I don't think any amount of music knowledge from his parents at the time could make him that talented.
Nurture still has an effect, but on a much smaller scale in most cases.
Male
Hello, Stalker
Seen May 18th, 2013
Posted May 14th, 2011
290 posts
13.9 Years
Nature decides what you will be like. Nurture changes it. Psychologivally(smartness) and aesthetically(looks) that depends on nature. Physically(strength), that depends on nurture.

People who come out "different" is either because their parents weren't nurtured the right way and have caused the nature of their offspring to not come out the right way.
People who look "different" than others depend on nature, but nurture can effect it. There was once a girl in my class and she looked really cute and pretty. She didn't nurture her skin very well and she started to break out.
People who have "different" strengths are not dependent on nature, it depends how they are raised.

The answer depends on how well/bad you have been raised. Nature doesn't have much part of it.

TRIFORCE89

Guide of Darkness

Age 33
Male
Temple of Light
Seen November 25th, 2017
Posted October 21st, 2016
8,122 posts
19 Years
Something that has been debated on for the longest while. Do you think nature such as genes plays a larger role on the outcome of one's future or do you believe nurture such as how one is brought up plays a larger role on the outcome of one's future?

For example, if your father is a great musician does it mean you have the genes to become a great musician as well? Or if you were adopted into another family and raised to play sports more than music, is it still in your genes to play music like your paternal father or does the way you were raised to participate more into sports have a larger effect on what you do?

Just something interesting I was learning in Psychology that I thought I could bring up here.
Well....I don't know if your father has musical talent if you too will necessarily display such talent.

However, you are are with a predisposition to certain things. Soon (maybe already?) you can have your baby tested to determine their strengths (music, math, sports, etc.).

You may have a talent for something, but you don't know because you haven't had the opportunity to discover it.

It's not mutually-exclusive though. Some can be taught or trained. But for some...if just comes more naturally.

Bay

She/They
Dani California
Seen 1 Hour Ago
Posted 1 Hour Ago
6,346 posts
17 Years
To me, nature has part in some things, like certain diseases, looks, and in some cases intelligence. Those things you inheirted it for the most part.

I moreso believe in nurture, though. Many talents like sports and music you can't know if you have those when you're born. Later on though, you later learn some tricks and determine which things you're good and not good at. Yeah, Mozart is a music genius when he was young, but I like to believe it's moreso that he's able to be comfortable quickly with the music and that his intellect is part of it.
Miles Edgeworth
Foul Play [On Hiatus]

Corvus of the Black Night

Wild Duck Pokémon

Age 30
Non-binary
With the Birds
Seen January 9th, 2015
Posted January 9th, 2015
3,416 posts
14.3 Years
Both play important roles in how someone develops. Sometimes, a mental handicap cannot be prevented because it was carried down by genetics, but it can be worsened depending on the conditions in which the child grows up.

Nurture most likely has a larger role, but nature's role cannot be undermined.
Age 29
California
Seen May 29th, 2011
Posted February 4th, 2010
275 posts
14.9 Years
I don't even want to vote on this since it's such a contentious topic of debate. Personally I don't think it's as simple as one or the other (it rarely is).

And I also find it interesting that people are saying that it depends on how "well" you were raised if you will come out "the right way". Who dictates what the "wrong" and "right" ways to develop are?

I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.

Bay

She/They
Dani California
Seen 1 Hour Ago
Posted 1 Hour Ago
6,346 posts
17 Years
I don't even want to vote on this since it's such a contentious topic of debate. Personally I don't think it's as simple as one or the other (it rarely is).

And I also find it interesting that people are saying that it depends on how "well" you were raised if you will come out "the right way". Who dictates what the "wrong" and "right" ways to develop are?
I agree. I don't think there's a right and wrong way to raise someone. Heck, parents/guardians from different countries have different ways to raise someone, part of it the country's culture.
Miles Edgeworth
Foul Play [On Hiatus]
Age 30
Male
Melbourne, Australia
Seen January 8th, 2013
Posted April 30th, 2012
1,031 posts
14.1 Years
Yeah I did this in psychology last year. I'd have to go with nurture here. All you need to do is look at that Russian girl who was raised by wild dogs and her actual brain had developed differently and stuff. Genes play a certain part, like whether you get a temper, but you can learn to control it. Red hair can be dyed a different colour etc. Most things nature throws up can be altered today. If it was genetic, it would mean that every drug user has drug using parents, every person who gets top school marks had parents who did the same thing.
Age 29
Male
Seen June 1st, 2013
Posted April 27th, 2013
2,276 posts
14.4 Years
This reminded me of some dude on the Tyra Banks show who said that he cheated on all of the girlfriends he's had over the years due to his genetics. He thought he had a cheating gene. I was like "Wow, there's a load of bullcrap." Some people really put too much stock in genes defining your behavior.

I say, DNA can make us more suceptible to certain behaviors, but there's nothing that can't be changed when it comes to mentality. Hang around certain people who act a certain way, you will likely reflect those traits. I don't even think it limits intelligence, unless the person happens to have a diagnosed condition (which actually means little when you think about it, but that's a story for another time). You can always learn more, but you still may not want to learn it. One's social life and upbringing define a good amount of their self.
Back from the Hidden Land~
My Pokemon tabletop RPG project. Looking for feedback and ideas!

Esper

California
Seen June 30th, 2018
Posted June 30th, 2018
I want to believe that nurture takes the biggest role in a persons development, but I can't completely ignore the role nature plays. Either way, I see it as a moot argument. Talk of nurture/nature seems to come in two varieties: excuses for bad behavior and creating uberchildren for the wealthy. Both are based on the assumption that nature is the predominant factor so generally I see only problems when people think that nature is stronger than nurture.

twocows

The not-so-black cat of ill omen

Age 32
Male
Michigan
Seen February 19th, 2023
Posted April 30th, 2021
4,307 posts
14.2 Years
Always a little of both. Trying to determine which one plays a different role is a pointless endeavor; it's like trying to compare apples to oranges (for lack of a better metaphor). Fruitless, if you will. :D Each one has its unique purpose in development.
VNs are superior to anime, don't @ me

♣Gawain♣

Onward to Music!!!

Age 32
Male
Moscow, Russia
Seen December 2nd, 2013
Posted November 29th, 2013
4,997 posts
15.4 Years
Usually it's both. Let's say, that your father has the ability to play the cello, and you have it too(I know, it's just an example). But if some factor like teaching him to play the trumpet, of course he'll absorb it. Thus both are beneficial to him.

VM Δ PMPairsDeviantArtPlaying...ClubsTheme

.little monster

Age 30
Male
Ohio
Seen June 6th, 2017
Posted March 23rd, 2015
4,291 posts
13.9 Years
Both.

Which one is more important may very among people; however, just like twocows said, it's pointless to determine which has more impact.

There have been genes linked to certain personality traits. Personality plays a large rule in how far you go in your life. But isn't the determining factor on whether or not you will be successful.

Miz en Scène

Everybody's connected

Male
The Wired
Seen 1 Day Ago
Posted August 30th, 2016
1,645 posts
14.7 Years
I refuse to vote because I believe in both.

Having unofficially studied psychology, I know how to analyze my siblings well and have noticed that my Mother tries to treat us equally and yet my personality is more of my Mother and my brother is more that of my father. So yeah, nature has bearing towards personality but nurture controls it to an extent.
» Fiction «
Havisham
SWC 2011
» Fanfiction «
The Rainbow Chasers
SWC 2016 (1st Place)
——
The Promise I Made to You
SWC 2012 (2nd Place)
——
The Best
Pokecreepypasta Entry 2010
——
Using Firefox and see a scrollbar?
Tell me so I can fix it! (Hopefully)
» TBD «

Want a fanfic review?
Just ask me!

Got a review from me?
Pay it forward!
Drop a comment or a review on someone else's fic. I'm sure they'll appreciate it!