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Forum Topic - Nature versus Nurture Debate

Watch the brief interview of Dr. Laurence Steinberg about nature's versus nurture's impact on human development.

Laurence Steinberg Interview

In this video with accompanying transcript, Dr. Laurence Steinberg, Professor of Psychology at Temple University, explains the latest research findings into the nature versus nurture debate, highlighting the need to break down the false dichotomy between genes and the environment.

Reply to the following response with 200 words minimum. (please make response as if having a conversation, respond directly to some of the statements in below post.)

Nature vs Nurture can be such a controversial subject; inherent or acquired? After listening to what Dr. Steinberg explained, I cannot agree more with his perspective. From the beginning he emphasizes the fact that genes are not a set of directions that our body is required to abide by (Steinberg, 2010).

With that being said, there are many factors that can change the way a persons' mental process works. Our textbook outlines variables that need to be considered if you are going to compare two people. For example, genes, temperament, environmental effects, social, and personality are a few contributing factors.

Leadership qualities can be interpreted slightly different from person to person. One obvious example is the Military and its rank structure. Another example could be a bank and how their hierarchy is established within their own company. In some establishments, a good "leader" could be someone who has the ability to function under stress, delegate, and is fair.

In another establishment, a good "leader" might be someone who is innovative, empathetic, and has flawless public speaking skills. The business dictionary defines a "leader" as a person who holds a dominant or superior position and has the ability to exercise a high degree of control or influence over others.

For the comparison aspect, I chose to evaluate my best friend, Anna, and an old friend from high school, Kimberly. Both of these ladies exhibited strong characteristics of a leader from the beginning. In my opinion, they are ambitious, goal oriented, strong willed, and determined, and loyal. These are qualities that I believe are essential in a leader that I would admire. Anna

Anna was academically successful at a very young age. She excelled in high school, worked a part time job, and participated in sports. She immediately moved out of her parents after high school, attended college, and continued to pursue a state job where she could apply her skill set and gain promotions within her field.

Despite a rough marriage to her ex-husband, she continued to pursue a master's degree even with two kids. She handles stress well and never lets work interfere with her motherly responsibilities. Her kids are happy, thriving, and she will be purchasing a second home within the next year.

Kimberly was also academically successful at a very young age and excelled just as Anna did. She also had a similar high school experience and had fruitful ambitions for her future. Unlike Anna, she married a man who had a lot of money. Instead of pursing her college goals, she became a house-wife who now has two kids. She does not attend college or work part time.

I believe the main difference between the two different types of leaders is personality. As the textbook describes, genes essentially activate as a function of the environment (Friedman & Schustack, 2012). The environmental influences between the two leaders clearly had an impact on the path in which both proceeded to follow after high school.

One possessed the desire to be independent, self-sustaining, and prosperous. The other is perfectly satisfied with her husband retaining the "dominant" role and the family's source of income. Both scenarios are perfectly acceptable, except for one who possesses a different cultural belief in opportunities for self-improvement.

References

Friedman, H. S., Schustack, M. W. (12/2012). Personality: Classic Theories and Modern Research, 5th Edition. [Bookshelf Online].

How has this term impacted your life? (n.d.).

Steinberg, L. (2010, January 05). Why Some Apples Fall Far From The Tree - Video.