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PSYC-001:

PSYC-001: Nature-Nurture
Nature-Nurture Recitation
Recitation
Work
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recitation, then
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Nature-Nurture(group members last names in alphabetical order).
Nature-Nurture(group members last names in alphabetical order).
Homework to be completed prior to recitation:
Familiarize yourself with the concept of nature-nurture, and how this applies to the field
of psychology.

Synopsis of recitation:
Nature-nurture aims to identify if our characteristics are innate, or acquired through
experience. Nature-nurture ultimately asks, What makes us the way we are? Though
historically framed as a debate about which contribution is greater, we now understand
nature and nurture interact to shape us in various ways.

Skill, knowledge, and assessment info for this recitation:


The concept of nature-nurture is very important for understanding psychology. In this
recitation, you will develop an applied understanding of nature-nurture. This clearly has
far-reaching implications ranging from the value of nutrition, the utility of education, the
importance of culture, and even providing a better understanding specific psychological
disorders. Specifically, recitation material from the items marked with an asterisk (*)
may appear on the exam. If you do not feel you understand neurotransmission by the
end of this activity, please see your TA.

Recitation activity:
Form a group of 3-4 students.

1. *Describe what each side of the nature-nurture debate refers to and type
your response below. 2pts

On one hand, the nature component of the nature-nurture debate highlights genetic inheritance
as predominantly shaping ones psychological development. On the other hand, the nurture
component refers to the environment as the predominant factor. This debate within psychology
attempts to answer to what particular aspects of ones behavior are product of either genetic
inheritance (nature) or learned through environment (nurture).

2. Identify a research topic associated with nature-nurture that unites several


empirical studies we have reviewed from this course (e.g., importance of early
education; how memories are formed; etc.). Write this below for grading, and
post this to Poll Everywhere. 2pts

A research topic associated with nature-nurture debate is whether social wellbeing (nurture) or
intellectual capacity (nature) individually or collectively affects ones academic success.

Select four empirical studies that relate to your research topic and discuss the nature-
nurture aspects of your topic. Cite your articles (in APA) and describe why each of the
four studies was chosen, and how they are connected.
PSYC-001:
PSYC-001: Nature-Nurture
Nature-Nurture Recitation
Recitation
Work
Work on
on this
this Google
Google doc
doc during
during recitation,
recitation, then
then submit
submit one
one copy
copy to
to your
your TA
TA with
with all
all group
group members
members names
names above.
above. Name
Name the
the doc
doc
Nature-Nurture(group members last names in alphabetical order).
Nature-Nurture(group members last names in alphabetical order).
3. Study 1: Include citation and describe why this study was chosen and how it
connects to the others. 4pts

IJzendoorn et al examined a large number of adopted children and their siblings and studied
their development through based on whether or not they grew up in institutional care or with
their biological families. This study offered a unique opportunity to examine how children fared
in comparison to their siblings, which shed light on the components of what was shaped
biologically or environmentally. IJzendoorn et al found that using IQ as a metric for inherent
educational capacity, adopted children did not fare any better than their counterparts. However,
adopted children performed poorly in school and learning abilities. The authors concluded that
adoption left a positive impact on the cognitive development of children, and although adoption
delayed overall development, the childrens cognitive competence were developed normally in
comparison to their non-adopted counterparts. This study was chosen because it showed a
unique perspective of the nature-nurture debate, and more particularly, examined the debate
through the context of education.

van IJzendoorn, M. H., Juffer, F., & Poelhuis, C. W. K. (2005). Adoption and Cognitive
Development: A Meta-Analytic Comparison of Adopted and Nonadopted Children's IQ and
School Performance. Psychological Bulletin, 131 (2), 301-316. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-
2909.131.2.301

4. Study 2: Include citation and describe why this study was chosen and how it
connects to the others. 4pts.

This studied explored whether intelligence is largely genetically or environmentally determined


is irrelevant in the context of group differences. Angoff questioned whether or not intelligence
can be changed and drew on the idea that genetic make up can change over time whereas
environmental factors shaping ones development may be resistant to change. While this study
did not conclude with any specific takeaways, Angoff emphasized that academic performance
can be shaped by both genetic inheritance and environmental factors and both are
interchangeable in their overall impact because of their non-static and/or static conditions.

Angoff, W. H. (1988). The nature-nurture debate, aptitudes, and group differences. American
Psychologist, 43(9), 713-720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.43.9.713

5. Study 3: Include citation and describe why this study was chosen and how it
connects to the others. 4pts

Schonfeld et al examined the effects of multi-year social and emotional learning (SEL) programs
and hoped to challenge the trends in schools that emphasized testing abilities. The authors
described the pressure teachers faced when teaching their students to perform exceedingly on
their standardized tests, which in essence took time and energy away from SEL. The study
ultimately found that SEL groups in inner-city schools were more likely to perform better in
subjects of reading, writing, and math in comparison to their counterparts in non-SEL groups.
This study is relevant because it reflects the impact of nurture in improving academic
performance. However, it does little to shed light on whether or not natural factors have any
impact, if at all.
PSYC-001:
PSYC-001: Nature-Nurture
Nature-Nurture Recitation
Recitation
Work
Work on
on this
this Google
Google doc
doc during
during recitation,
recitation, then
then submit
submit one
one copy
copy to
to your
your TA
TA with
with all
all group
group members
members names
names above.
above. Name
Name the
the doc
doc
Nature-Nurture(group members last names in alphabetical order).
Nature-Nurture(group members last names in alphabetical order).
Schonfeld, D. J.; Adams, R. E.; Fredstrom, B. K.; Weissberg, R. P.; Gilman, R.; Voyce, C.;
Tomlin, R.; Speese-Linehan, D. (2015). Cluster-randomized trial demonstrating impact on
academic achievement of elementary social-emotional learning. School Psychology Quarterly,
30(3), 406420. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/spq0000099

6. Study 4: Include citation and describe why this study was chosen and how it
connects to the others. 4pts

Ferguson et al examined Canadian children from low-income backgrounds and showed that
their academic performance is much more poor in comparison to students from wealthier
backgrounds. This study is relevant because it further emphasizes the impact of the
environment in shaping ones academic success. In this case, poverty negatively correlates with
academic performance.

Ferguson, H., Bovaird, S., Mueller, M. (2007). The impact of poverty on educational outcomes
for children. Paediatrics Child Health, 12(8): 701-706

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