Unit 2 Assignment Child and adolescent Psychology

Thinking about the Influences of Genetics, Environment, and Culture on Child Development First/Last Name Department of Psychology, Purdue University Global PS220: Child and Adolescent Psychology Instructor’s Name Date The Controversy Regarding Nature versus Nurture The nature versus nurture debate is a long-standing controversy that can be traced back thousands of years in philosophy. "Nature" can be defined as the influence of genetic inheritance as well as other biological variables on the development of humans. More importantly, nature accounts for features that can be explained concerning inherent traits specific to an individual or group. Every individual has their innate qualities and potentialities that determine their course of development (Berk, 2022). On the other hand, “nurture” refers to the environmental factors and experiences that shape an individual’s development. Cultural influences, education, social interactions, and type of upbringing have an impact on human development. John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s discourse on the controversy between nature and nurture will produce valid arguments grounded on philosophical viewpoints. John Locke is an English philosopher of the Enlightenment period and would argue vehemently in support of the nurture argument of the discourse. The environment has an impact on how somebody argues and behaves. He would emphasize that education and social experiences are fundamental in molding an individual's development. Jean-Jacques Rousseau would argue from the nature side of the debate because he believed in the inherent goodness and natural potential of human beings (Berk, 2022). He would argue that the role of the environment is to provide a supportive and non-restrictive space that allows the child's innate abilities and virtues to flourish. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Development Contemporary theorists in developmental psychology have evolved the nature-nurture debate to focus on the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Two examples of genetic influences on development discussed by Berk (2022) include Down syndrome and Turner syndrome. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder, with 95% of the cases resulting in issues in chromosome 21 during meiosis. Symptoms include memory and speech problems, intellectual disability, slow motor development, and limited vocabulary. Similarly, Turner syndrome results from a missing X chromosome during meiosis. Resultant features include sterility, short stature, and webbed neck. Turner syndrome can be treated when diagnosed during early childhood. Hormonal therapy is given during childhood and at puberty to promote normal development. Environments have the potential to enhance or create risks for development. Two examples of environmental influences on development discussed by Berk (2022) include socioeconomic status and poverty. Socioeconomic status constitutes income, years of education, and prestige in employment. A rise or fall in socioeconomic status affects family functioning and the development of children. Berk (2022) also notes that people in professional and technical professions tend to have children later in life and emphasize good psychological traits during parenting. Poverty is another factor that significantly threatens development. A struggling family needs help to provide for each individual's needs adequately, and they often choose lower-quality services. Low-income people send their children to low-ranked schools and lack reliable health insurance. Gene-Environment Interaction, Gene-Environment Correlation, and Epigenesis Contemporary developmentalists recognize the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in shaping human development. The proposed concepts to explain this interplay include gene-environment interaction, correlation, and epigenesis. First, gene-environ...