Question

Adopted children's similarity to their biological parents is generally attributed to ______________: adopted children's similarity to their adoptive parents is generally attributed to _____________ A. heredity; the environment B. the environment; heredity C. the environment; the environment D. heredity; heredity

Short answer

Answer: Heredity; the environment

Step-by-step solution

Examine the relationship between adopted children and biological parents

The biological parents provide the genetic makeup of the child. Therefore, any similarity between an adopted child and their biological parent would be due to their genetic inheritance also known as heredity.

Examine the relationship between adopted children and adoptive parents

The adoptive parents raise the child and provide the environmental factors such as home, school, and social interactions. Therefore, any similarity between an adopted child and their adoptive parent would be due to the shared environment that they provide.

Match the factors to the answer choices

Adopted children's similarity to their biological parents is due to heredity, and their similarity to adoptive parents is due to the environment. This leads us to the answer choice A. heredity; the environment.

Key concepts

Heredity

Understanding the concept of heredity is fundamental when discussing the development of an individual. Heredity, commonly referred to as genetics, is the transmission of physical or mental characteristics from one generation to another. In essence, it is the biological process whereby a parent passes on certain genes to their children.

Heredity plays a pivotal role in determining an individual's traits such as eye color, hair texture, and even certain behaviors or predispositions to various health conditions. When considering adopted children, any similarities they have with their biological parents can be largely attributed to the genes they have inherited.

For students grappling with this concept, it’s essential to recognize that heredity describes the potential of an individual, which may be modified by environments or life experiences. However, the genetic foundation remains an influential and immutable factor of who they are.

Adoptive Parents

The role of adoptive parents is a significant environmental influence in the context of nature versus nurture. After adoption, the environment the child interacts with is largely sculpted by the adoptive parents, encompassing aspects ranging from the emotional climate of the household to the educational opportunities provided.

Adoptive parents impact a child's development through the values they instill, the routines they set, and the cultural context they provide, which will be reflected in the child's behavior, beliefs and attitudes. These are the environmental factors that a child adapts to and learns from, thus shaping their personality and world-view.

Students should realize that while adoptive parents do not contribute genetically to their adopted children, their influence is often seen in the children's acquired language, social manners, and life skills. These nurtured aspects play a crucial role in the day-to-day expression of one's capabilities and personality.

Environmental Influences

Environmental influences encompass the variety of external factors that affect an individual's development and behavior outside of their genetic inheritance. It includes a wide spectrum of influences, ranging from the immediate settings such as home and school, to broader aspects like the societal norms and cultural backgrounds.

For an adopted child, environmental influences would be the nurturing aspects they receive from adoptive parents. This can include their parenting style, their socioeconomic status, the neighborhood they live in, and even the food preferences they develop. These determinants actively shape and remodel a child's behavior and thought processes over time.

In studying environmental stresses, it is critical for students to understand that these factors can either foster or limit personal development, depending on the nature of the influences. Therefore, acknowledging the intricate dance between heredity and environment is key to appreciating the full tapestry of human development.