How the Brain is Wired:How the Brain is Wired:Nature vs. NurtureNature vs. Nurture

LTCY 199LTCY 199

Stephen HowardStephen Howard

Definition of Definition of Nature/NurtureNature/Nurture

Nature: Also known as “nativism” or Nature: Also known as “nativism” or “innatism”.“innatism”.The idea that traits or abilities are “native” or The idea that traits or abilities are “native” or

coded into human brains at birth.coded into human brains at birth.Nurture: Also known as “empiricism” or Nurture: Also known as “empiricism” or

“behavioralism”.“behavioralism”.The idea that intelligence is obtained, not The idea that intelligence is obtained, not

through birth, but experience.through birth, but experience.

Tabula RasaTabula Rasa

Term coined by John Locke, Latin for Term coined by John Locke, Latin for ‘blank slate’.‘blank slate’.

Center of Nature v. Nurture Argument. Center of Nature v. Nurture Argument. Tabula rasa favors the idea of nurture.Tabula rasa favors the idea of nurture.Occasionally considered irrelevant by Occasionally considered irrelevant by

supporters of nature, because the cerebral supporters of nature, because the cerebral cortex has predefined programming.cortex has predefined programming.

Elaboration on NatureElaboration on Nature Supporters of nature, in the most pragmatic Supporters of nature, in the most pragmatic

form, believe that individuals are most influenced form, believe that individuals are most influenced by biological factors.by biological factors.

Supporters of nature tend to cite the theories of Supporters of nature tend to cite the theories of Freud, Piaget and EriksonFreud, Piaget and Erikson Freud supports psychosexual ideology, which Freud supports psychosexual ideology, which

believes that humans are fueled through lives via their believes that humans are fueled through lives via their sexual desires.sexual desires.

Erikson believes in psychosocial ideology, which Erikson believes in psychosocial ideology, which states that humans go through life, struggling to states that humans go through life, struggling to obtain a suitable social status.obtain a suitable social status.

Piaget will also be mentioned briefly, concerning his Piaget will also be mentioned briefly, concerning his studies on learning.studies on learning.

Erikson’s Erikson’s Psychosocial StagesPsychosocial Stages

Infancy (Birth to 16 Months)Infancy (Birth to 16 Months) Trust vs. MistrustTrust vs. Mistrust

Early Childhood (2 to 3 Years)Early Childhood (2 to 3 Years) Autonomy vs. Shame and MisdoubtAutonomy vs. Shame and Misdoubt

Preschool (3 to 5 Years)Preschool (3 to 5 Years) Initiative vs. GuiltInitiative vs. Guilt

School Age (6 to 11 Years)School Age (6 to 11 Years) Industry vs. Inferiority Industry vs. Inferiority

Adolescence (12 to 18 Years)Adolescence (12 to 18 Years) Identity vs. Role Confusion Identity vs. Role Confusion

Young Adulthood (19 to 40 Years)Young Adulthood (19 to 40 Years) Intimacy vs. IsolationIntimacy vs. Isolation

Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 Years)Middle Adulthood (40 to 65 Years) Generativity vs. StagnationGenerativity vs. Stagnation

Maturity (65 to Death)Maturity (65 to Death) Ego Integrity vs. DespairEgo Integrity vs. Despair

Hollitscher, W. (1970). Sigmund Freud, an introduction; a presentation    of his theory, and a discussion of the relationship between    psychoanalysis and sociology.

Freud’s Stages ofFreud’s Stages ofPsychosexual DevelopmentPsychosexual Development

Oral, 0-18 Months.Oral, 0-18 Months. Focuses on the mouth.Focuses on the mouth.

Anal, 18-36 Months.Anal, 18-36 Months. Focuses on urination and defecation.Focuses on urination and defecation.

Phallic, 3-5 Years.Phallic, 3-5 Years. Oedipus and Electra Complex.Oedipus and Electra Complex.

Latency, 6 Years-Puberty.Latency, 6 Years-Puberty. Identified by suppression of sexual desires.Identified by suppression of sexual desires.

Genital, Post-Puberty.Genital, Post-Puberty. Identified by the want to fulfill sexual desires.Identified by the want to fulfill sexual desires.

Syque (2002-2009). Freud's Psychosexual Stage Theory. Retrieved    July 9, 2009 from , Web site:    http://changingminds.org/explanations/learning/freud_stage.htm

Piaget’s StagesPiaget’s Stagesof Developmentof Development

Sensori-MotorSensori-MotorBirth-2 YearsBirth-2 Years

Pre-OperationalPre-Operational2-7 Years2-7 Years

Concrete OperationalConcrete Operational7-11 Years7-11 Years

Formal OperationalFormal Operational11 Years-Onward11 Years-Onward

Atherton, J. (May 23, 2009). Piaget's Developmental Theory.    Retrieved July 9, 2009 from , Web site:    http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm

Concerning NurtureConcerning Nurture

Science tends to have an obvious bias Science tends to have an obvious bias towards nature, seeing nurture is difficult towards nature, seeing nurture is difficult to research.to research.

Majority of nurture research refers directly Majority of nurture research refers directly to behaviorismto behaviorism

Behaviorism andBehaviorism andBehaviorism TheoryBehaviorism Theory

Developed during 20Developed during 20thth century. century.Behaviorism: ‘Response to Stimuli’. Behaviorism: ‘Response to Stimuli’. Common theory used in education.Common theory used in education.Several different ‘subcategories’ within the Several different ‘subcategories’ within the

behaviorism theory.behaviorism theory.

Behaviorism SubtopicsBehaviorism Subtopics

ClassicalClassicalMethodologicalMethodologicalRadicalRadicalTeleological Teleological Additional subtopics are cited, but these Additional subtopics are cited, but these

subcategories are considered ‘standard’.subcategories are considered ‘standard’.

Culatta, R. (2009). Culatta, R. (2009). Behaviorist Learning TheoryBehaviorist Learning Theory. Retrieved July. Retrieved July    9, 2009 from , Web site:    9, 2009 from , Web site:    http://www.innovativelearning.com/teaching/behaviorism.html     http://www.innovativelearning.com/teaching/behaviorism.html

Why Does This Matter?Why Does This Matter?

Learning about your nature, your nurture, Learning about your nature, your nurture, contributes to your self-awareness.contributes to your self-awareness.

Self awareness leads to self-actualization. Self awareness leads to self-actualization. Reaching self-actualization makes us Reaching self-actualization makes us

more proficient learners.more proficient learners.

Works CitedWorks Cited Atherton, J. (May 23, 2009). Atherton, J. (May 23, 2009). Piaget's Developmental TheoryPiaget's Developmental Theory..

    Retrieved July 9, 2009 from , Web site:    Retrieved July 9, 2009 from , Web site:    http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm     http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm

Tabula RasaTabula Rasa. Retrieved July 9, 2009 from Web site:. Retrieved July 9, 2009 from Web site:    http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Tabula_rasa     http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Tabula_rasa

Hollitscher, W. (1970). Sigmund Freud, an introduction; a presentationHollitscher, W. (1970). Sigmund Freud, an introduction; a presentation    of his theory, and a discussion of the relationship between    of his theory, and a discussion of the relationship between    psychoanalysis and sociology.    psychoanalysis and sociology.

Syque (2002-2009). Syque (2002-2009). Freud's Psychosexual Stage TheoryFreud's Psychosexual Stage Theory. Retrieved. Retrieved    July 9, 2009 from , Web site:    July 9, 2009 from , Web site:    http://changingminds.org/explanations/learning/freud_stage.htm     http://changingminds.org/explanations/learning/freud_stage.htm

McDevitt, T. M. & Ormrod, J. E. (2004). McDevitt, T. M. & Ormrod, J. E. (2004). Child Development: EducatingChild Development: Educating    and Working with Children and Adolescents    and Working with Children and Adolescents (2nd ed.). Columbus, (2nd ed.). Columbus,    OH: Pearson.     OH: Pearson.