Reference no: EM132688232
Assignment: Nature and Nurture Revisited: Epigenetics and the Microbiome
Think back to when you first learned about the "nature versus nurture" debate. The historical nature versus nurture debate was concerned with the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities (nature) versus his or her personal experiences (nurture) in determining or causing differences in physical appearance, behavior, cognition, and emotion.
It has become increasingly clear that these qualities are not solely attributable to nature or nurture; rather, it is now recognized that nature and nurture interact to influence outcomes. The relatively new science that studies this phenomenon is called epigenetics. There is also increasing evidence that the "brain" in our gut, called the microbiome, also influences mental health, behavior, and health outcomes; this starts before we are born and is also influenced by how we are born.
This week, you examine the connection of nature versus nurture to epigenetics and the microbiome, while also considering the personal and social implications of these fields of study. You also examine the idea of contributing to positive social change from a professional perspective in the fourth section of your Capstone Paper.
Learning Objectives: • Evaluate the influence of epigenetics and the microbiome on the nature versus nurture debate
• Evaluate the social implications of epigenetic and microbiome research
• Analyze relationship of positive social change to a professional context
• Integrate psychological theories and concepts in Capstone Paper