Question

Harry has a different girlfriend every week. Jim's explanation for Harry's behavior is that Harry has a naturally high level of testosterone. Carolyn's explanation is that Harry's mother died when he was young. These explanations tell you that Jim likely believes that _______ influences who we are, whereas Carolyn believes that _______ influences who we are. a. nurture; nature b. structuralism; behaviorism c. nature; nurture d. behaviorism; structuralism

Short answer

c. nature; nurture

Step-by-step solution

Identify whether Jim believes in nature or nurture

Jim believes that Harry's behavior is due to his naturally high level of testosterone, which is a biological factor. This means that Jim likely believes in the influence of nature on who we are. #Step 2: Analyze Carolyn's explanation#

Identify whether Carolyn believes in nature or nurture

Carolyn believes that Harry's behavior is due to the loss of his mother at a young age, which is an environmental factor and an experience that has shaped his development. This means that Carolyn likely believes in the influence of nurture on who we are. #Step 3: Match the explanations with the answer choices#

Compare the explanations with the available answer choices

We now know that based on their explanations, Jim believes in nature and Carolyn believes in nurture. So, we are looking for an answer choice that corresponds to these concepts: a. nurture; nature b. structuralism; behaviorism c. nature; nurture d. behaviorism; structuralism The correct answer is c. nature; nurture.

Key concepts

Biological Influences in Psychology

When discussing biological influences in psychology, we refer to the ways in which our genetics and physical body affect our behavior, thoughts, and emotions. This encompasses attributes such as our genetic makeup, brain structures, neurochemistry, and hormones, just like the high levels of testosterone suggested by Jim in the exercise.

The field acknowledges that our biological endowment provides a template upon which our life experiences can play out. For instance, individuals may have a genetic predisposition for certain behaviors or mental illnesses, but the expression of these traits can be modulated by other biological factors and life experiences.

Take, for instance, the gene-environment interaction where a person might have a genetic predisposition for a certain behavior (such as aggression), but it is the environment that can trigger or suppress this predisposition. Another example is neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This biological capability reflects how experiences like learning or rehabilitation can physically change the structure of the brain.

Environmental Influences in Psychology

On the flip side, environmental influences in psychology center on how external factors such as our upbringing, cultural background, social interactions, and life experiences shape our behaviors and mental processes. Carolyn's explanation about Harry's behavior due to the death of his mother is a classic example of environmental influence.

The environment we grow up in, the people we interact with, and the experiences we encounter all contribute to the complex tapestry of our psychological development. Even before birth, factors like prenatal nutrition and exposure to toxins can have lasting effects on an individual's cognitive and emotional health.

The debate on the impact of nature (biology) versus nurture (environment) has long been a pivotal discussion point in psychology. Studies, like twin and adoption research, have demonstrated how both heredity and environment are crucial in shaping an individual. Understandably, psychologists now often agree that it's not about one or the other but rather how these two forces interact and influence each other that determines our psychological landscape.

Psychological Development

Psychological development encompasses the changes and stability in people over time, particularly as it pertains to personality, cognitive abilities, social awareness, and emotions. The key phases of psychological development include infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging, each associated with different challenges and growth potentials.

For example, Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development illustrate how individuals confront and ideally overcome key conflicts that can arise from both biological maturation and social demands at each stage of life. Additionally, Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development demonstrates how children construct an understanding of the world around them as they go through four developmental stages.

Understanding psychological development helps educators, caregivers, and policy-makers support people at various stages of their lives. Such understanding is crucial because it acknowledges the complex interplay between inherited potential (nature) and learned behaviors (nurture), offering a comprehensive perspective on human growth and potential.