Nature versus Nurture - Essay Example

Abstract The Nature versus Nurture has been one of the most debated topic particularly in thee domain of psychology. In order to explore and acquire an in-depth understanding regarding the ongoing debate, it is essential to explore theories pertaining to human growth and development. Correspondingly, essay entails the brief explanation of the seven theories related to human growth and development propounded by different scholars. Based on the understanding derived from the review of these theories there inferences has been drawn. Grounded on the understanding derived from the review of the theories, it has been observed that deciding whether the behavior of exhibited by human are genetic or learned is quite difficult. Nevertheless, it has been clearly observed that the impact of environment on the behavior of human being is largely apparent in many of the theories conducted in the filed of human growth and development. Introduction Human growth and development is an integral part of human life cycle. In order to describe the human growth and development, it is extremely important to acquaint with the concept of development. In this regard, development is a conception of continuous process. It is also describes that the growth and development is a periodical process, which changes over the time as human beings are matured. The process of growth and development helps human to think logically and perceive things rationally which will influence human to maintain all the responsibilities towards the society. The development process starts when a child is born and continues throughout the life (Ruffin, 2013). With this concern, the easy analyzes the seven theoretical perspectives of human growth and development and draws three inferences explaining on going debate of Nature versus Nurture related to lifespan. Theoretical perspective of Human Growth and Development The human growth and development is a conception, which mainly depends upon several theoretical approaches. In order to explain the importance of the theoretical approaches it has been stated that the theories mainly works as a supportive factor to judge the world with the proper logic as well as in a balanced way. Besides, there are several theories that help people to understand that process of development of human personality as well as the nature and reasons behind the behavioral approach of a human. The theoretical approaches of human growth and development also describe the influence of human action on the environment. It has been also describes that the several theories are based on critical approaches of social and emotional circumstances of the humans initial lifespan. Apart from, the theories of human development and growth are described as a set of interrelated statements that provides an explanation regarding several classes of events that is related to human lifespan. There are seven theories of human development and growth and those are interrelated with each other. The seven theories of human growth and development include, Psychoanalytic Theories, Cognitive Theory, Behavioral Theory, Ecological Theory, Humanistic Theory, Sociocultural Theory, and Classifying the Models. These seven theories of human development and growth are briefly explained below. Psychoanalytic Theories The psychoanalytic theory is a theoretical approach, which is related with the psychology of human beings. Psychoanalytic theory is described to support understanding regarding the psychological development of human nature. This theory mainly helps to relate the human psychology with their developmental process. Over the years, several theorists have explained that the human behavior is motivated through the human psychology, which is mainly expressed through their work and actions. The psychoanalytic theory expresses the view of progressive personality of human behavior because the individual personality passes through a series of psychosexual stages. As per the several theorists the human beings start their life in infancy stage and passed through the numerous levels of psychosexual stages. As per the famous theorist of human growth and development named Freud, there are three stage of human development, those are phallic anal, and oral. These stages are mainly controlled by the development of sensitivity. This stage is mainly analysis about the source of conflicts, which originates in the phallic stage (Papalia, Feldman & Martorell, 2011). Cognitive Theory The cogitative theory is the study of cognitive psychology, which is mainly describes about the mental process of human development and growth. The study mainly involves the several essences of human growth and development such as memory, perception, use of language, creativity and thinking. It has been also described that the cogitative developmental theory is very important for the human growth and development process as the majority portion of works and actions are derived from the cognitive psychology. In this regard, the cognitive theory is combination of modern disciplines of the psychological study. The cognitive development in the context of human growth and development is the comprehensive theory in rotation to the nature and development of the human intelligence. As per the famous theorist Jean Piaget, the childhood stage is the most important stage of human lifecycle, which plays a significant role in growth of intelligence and helps the child to learn by exploring several activities (Papalia et al., 2011). Behavioral Theory The behavioral theory is mainly based upon the observance of behaviors of people. The theory mainly explores the behavioral approach of human and describes how human being works according to their behaviors. The behavioral theory mainly focuses upon the metal and emotional progression that is the main influencing factor of building the human personality. It has been also describes that the importance of behavioral theory in understanding the human growth is very important as it helps to understand the several observable data that are measurable in nature. There are several theorists, who are divided the behavioral theory in a two units. The theorist traditionally divided the behavior in to two separated units one is responses another is stimuli. It has been also describes that the behaviorism is emphases two approaches one is classical approach and another is operant approach (Papalia et al., 2011). Learning Theory Learning theory is considered as a part of the cognitive process, which occurs in the social context. The social learning skill is mainly associated with direct observation and direct interaction between the several attributes of the environment. In order to establish the relationship between social learning theory and human growth and development, it has found that the learning theory reinforce the observation which have considerable impact on the behavior of an individual (Strater, n.d.). Ecological Theory The ecological development is a theory related to the ecological system theory. The ecological theory mainly describes about the development of human in relation to human ecology theory. The theory is mainly established in relation to environmtal system with the human development and growth. The study also describes about the ecological theory, which classifies the five environmental system related to human interaction for further development. Humanistic Theory The humanistic theory mainly describes the deviation in human behavioral and how it is important in the growth and development of human. The humanistic approach in the human development theory and growth is important for understanding the human lifespan. The humanistic approach mainly helps the theorist to understand that the human psychology different from the other human psychology. It also describes that the humanistic approach of the human psychology plays the role of deviation in the human behavioral approach, so it helps the theorists to understand the different in their activity (Papalia et al., 2011). Sociocultural Theory The socio cultural theory is mainly related to the practices of parental activity. The theory mainly describes the importance of the parental activity in the development of human life. As per the sociocultural theory the development human life arises during the early stage of or during the formative stage of human being (Papalia et al., 2011). Three Inferences in context of Nature versus Nurture The on-going debate pertaining to Nature versus Nurture mainly focus upon the human development and growth across the various stages of life and the factors that causes human to behave in a particular way. It also describes that the nature verses nurture is a phrase, which is extensively used for the expressing the scientific development of the human growth. Besides, the debate on Nature versus Nurture primarily relates to the genesis of human nature. It focuses upon the physical, health and upon its condition, which are motivated by the environment. Accordingly, the debate on Nature versus Nurture tries to whether it is the environment or the genetic factor that shapes the behavior of an individual (Baltes, Lindenberger, & Staudinger, 2006). Nevertheless, based on the review of seven theories of human growth and development, three major inferences can be drawn. First, it can be affirmed that the role of environment in which the people live has considerable impact on their behavior. Secondly, it has been observed that human beings are whether knowingly or unknowingly are engaged in learning different things by observing others or there their life experience which also has major influence on their behaviors. Last or the third inference that can be drawn fro the review of the theories relevant to the growth and development of human can be related with the biological phenomenon. In this regard, human behavior can be attributed as inherited and genetic. Accordingly, it can be argued that when a baby is born, he inherits certain characteristics of his parents (father and mother) which tends to shape his behaviors as he grows and matures (Baltes, Lindenberger, & Staudinger, 2006). Conclusion To recapitulate, it has been observed from the review of theories relevant to human growth and development that human behavior is shaped by numerous factors. There has been a widespread argument being placed in relation to this area. Notably, three inferences have been drawn after reviewing the seven theories propounded by different theorists. Accordingly, it has been ascertained that environment in which an individual lives is a strong determinant of human behaviors, On the other hand, behaviors of people are ascertained to influence by biological factor and is genetic. On the other hand, the continuous learning process is also determined to influence the behavior of an individual. References Baltes, P. B., Lindenberger, U. & Staudinger, U. M. (2006). Life span theory in developmental psychology. Chapter 11.569-663. Papalia, D. E., Feldman, R. D. & Martorell, G. (2011). Experience human development. United States: McGraw-Hill Education. Ruffin, N. J. (2013). Human growth and development - a matter of principles. Virginia State University. 350-353. Read More