In psychology, one of the most well-known debates is the nature versus nurture controversy, which questions whether human development is more influenced by external factors such as the environment—referred to as nurture—or by internal factors categorized under nature. This debate has persisted for centuries because, despite their differences, both nature and nurture significantly affect psychological development.
What is Psychological Development?
Before delving into the details, it is essential to define what we mean by psychological development. Psychological development is an umbrella term encompassing cognitive, emotional, behavioral, intellectual, and social changes, as well as the physiological changes and psychological functioning (Stangor & Walinga, 2014, p. 271). Therefore, understanding either nurture or nature is the primary answer to the question, “Why are we the way we are?” is crucial.
NATURE SIDE
Nature refers to everything we inherit through genetics and biology. The likelihood of developing mental disorders, physiological conditions, and hereditary diseases, as well as the individual differences in temperament and psychological responses to these factors, are all primarily influenced by nature.
Genetic Influences on Mental Health
Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and ADHD are products of both nurture and nature. Although no specific gene has been identified, these conditions carry a risk of heredity (National Institutes of Health, 2013). Since mental state is a critical factor in psychological development, inheriting such diseases can significantly affect an individual’s mental health, and therefore, their overall psychology. This condition can negatively impact their mood, as well as their thoughts about life and self.
Physiological Deficits and Psychological Development
Psychological development can also be affected by physiological deficits, even in the absence of mental illness. If a person has innate neurophysiological conditions, it is very likely that they will be affected. For instance, a person with congenital narcolepsy, a rare, long-term brain condition that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at any time or anywhere, can easily become aggressive, shy, insecure, and fearful of situations (Posar et al., 2020). Due to the reactions they receive from society and their social groups, their view of the world may alter and potentially lead to depression.
Temperament: The Innate Personality Trait
Temperament, an innate personality characteristic, plays a critical role in psychological development (Rymanowicz, 2017). If we think of the psychological development of a person as a tree, personality forms a branch of this tree, and a leaf of this branch is our temperament that forms when we were in our mother’s womb. Our temperament shapes our personality, stance in life, approach to issues, and perspectives. Nature is the producer of our temperaments.
NURTURE SIDE
On the other hand, nurture, which encompasses external factors, influences psychological development in plenty of ways.
The Role of Early Attachment
One of the essential stages where nurture plays a role is early childhood, as explained by Bowlby’s attachment theory. At an early age, parents are everything to a child. Their actions, behaviors, thoughts, and self-perception are shaped by the attachment style of the child. If a mother meets her child’s needs with love and care, the child develops a secure attachment to their parents, which positively influences not only their personality but also their overall psychological development. This provides a significant advantage for the child throughout childhood and into adulthood (Bowlby, 1969).
Cognitive Development and Environmental Influence
Cognitive psychology focuses on aspects such as perception, memory, senses, and problem-solving abilities (Neset, n.d.). None of these can be considered innate. We create schemas in our brains according to the environmental factors we perceive and store the information in our brain accordingly. Our memories are shaped by positive and negative experiences we have encountered. Similarly, we develop problem-solving skills in response to the obstacles, which often stem from life’s challenges. All of these cognitive processes are influenced by nurture.
Social Development Through the Lifespan: Erikson’s Theory
Social development is critical for psychological development and is hugely affected by nurture. We can explain this through Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory, which consists of eight stages and covers a person’s lifetime—from childhood to late adulthood and old age. For instance, if a child does not develop trust in the first stage or feels guilty during the third stage (initiative versus guilt), they may struggle to grow up with confidence and a sense of security. So, personality—and therefore psychology—is shaped by how successfully a person navigates each stage (McLeod, 2018).
Cultural and Social Influences
Lastly, our behavior is largely influenced by our environment, culture, and social groups. For instance, a person living in Australia will naturally differ from someone living in Turkey, not just in terms of language, but also in culture and upbringing. Another example of social group influence is that a child who has been spoiled by family members but later joins a team sport such as basketball or volleyball. Through responsibilities, discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence, they may develop into a slightly different person.
CONCLUSION: Which Side of the Controversy is the Answer?
When we compare the perspectives in the nature vs nurture debate, we see that both significantly shape a person’s psychological development. While nature influences our temperament, mental state, and psychological well-being, nurture shapes human psychology in social, cognitive, and behavioral aspects. Looking at the bigger picture, the interplay of both nurture and nature is what makes us who we are, as both play a crucial role in psychological development.