Nature and Nurture Controversy

Nature and Nurture Controversy

Name

Institution

Nature and Nurture Controversy

The nature versus nurture dissension has been an issue in the world of psychology. The debate is whether the environment is responsible for an individual’s behavior or is the parents’ genetic makeup that determines how people conduct themselves. As such, some people strongly believe that behavior cannot be relayed from one individual to the next via the DNA. On the contrary, several individuals view the environment as a great influence on how people behave. Some examples of the behavior affected by either the genetic makeup or environment include the emotions one possess, talents and skills. The main question that has haunted various psychological debates is whether it is the DNA or the environment that influences a person’s characteristics.

Various encounters in life have affected me in various ways to the point where I had to scrutinize as to whether they were enforced by nature or have been nurtured by the environment. One of the encounters I have had in my life is the discovery of my writing capabilities. Indeed, my parents were good at writing, but I nurtured the skill through continuous practice and dedication to the subject. As such, I do not view writing as an inherited talent, but as a nurtured skill that I had to develop.

I strongly believe that my looks are from my parents because of the resemblance on our faces, my hair and eye color. It is undeniable that some of the characteristics of my body were formed from the genetic makeup passed on by my parents. In turn, I possess various physical looks that resemble those of my parents. At this point, it is true that nature rules over nature, but I believe that emotions are developed through observing. I tend to be as emotional as my mother, but this can all be linked to the observations I have made throughout my life. Thus, one cannot inherit emotions, but can develop them through nurturing them via observation.