Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The nature vs. nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture.

Nature is often defined in this debate as genetic or hormone-based behaviors, traits, and dispositions, while nurture is most commonly defined as environment, culture, and experience.

History of the Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The nature vs. nurture debate is an ongoing one. The modern debate often centers around the effect genes have on human disposition as opposed to the influences that early environment and development might have. As culture changes, so have popular understandings of this debate. In the 1960s, for example, psychologists—and pop culture in general—were heavily influenced by the theories of behaviorism. This theory led to the widespread belief that human personality is primarily influenced by experience and training. It was during this time that researcher John Money attempted to demonstrate that gender was a product of early conditioning by raising a boy, whose circumcision was botched, as a girl. His experiment seemed successful in the beginning but ultimately was a failure.

In recent years, the nature side of the debate has gained more attention, with headlines trumpeting newly discovered genes for virtually every behavior. Evolutionary psychology and sociobiology are two branches of science that attempt to demonstrate the evolutionary roots of human behavior. Books authored by scientists in these fields are extremely popular. However, critics still emphasize the important role of early childhood environment, development, and cultural influences. Many have argued that sociobiology and evolutionary psychology are deterministic pseudosciences.

Twin and Identical Twin Studies

Several studies done on twins separated shortly after birth reveal that genetics do play a significant role in the development of certain personality characteristics, sexual orientation, and religiosity. The bond between identical twins was also suggested to be genetic by these studies, as 80% of identical twins reported that they felt closer to their twin than they did to their closest friends, despite having just met their twin.

One study also suggested that genetics play a significant role in the development of personality: Environment had little effect on personality when twins were raised together, though it did have an effect when they were raised apart.

How Nature Affects Mental Health

While nature, or genetics, has been proven to be an important factor in the development of some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and major depression, the development of mental illness is not entirely genetic. Nature, or genetics and disposition, has been proven to be an important factor in the development of some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and major depression. Bipolar, for example, is four to six times more likely to develop when there is a family history of the condition. However, although the importance of genetic factors cannot be denied, the development of mental illness is not entirely genetic. For example, identical twins share their genes, yet if one twin develops schizophrenia, research shows the other twin only has a 50% chance of also developing the condition. This indicates that nature, while it plays an important part, is not the only contributing factor.

Another area where researchers may place more emphasis on nature than on nurture is that of addictions. Research indicates that alcohol addiction, for example, can recur in families and that certain genes may influence how alcohol tastes and the way it affects the body.

How Nurture Affects Mental Health

Certain genetic factors may create a predisposition for a particular illness, but the probability that a person develops that illness depends in part on environment (nurture). When a genetic variant indicates the possibility of developing a mental illness, this information can be used to direct positive (nurturing) behavior in such a way that the condition may not develop or may develop with less severity.

James Fallon, a neuroscientist who discovered that he had the brain of a psychopath, has stated that he believes growing up in a nurturing and loving environment helped him become a successful adult and may have been effective at preventing him from fully developing traits of psychopathy. Similarly, the basis for addiction is not thought to be entirely genetic by most researchers. Environmental aspects, such as the habits of parents, friends, or a partner, might also be significant factors contributing to the development of an addiction. A genetic predisposition to alcohol addiction may be far more significant if one is routinely exposed to binge drinking or other forms of alcohol abuse and comes to view this as normal alcohol use.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool recently found that while a family history of mental health conditions was the second strongest predictor of mental illness, the strongest predictor was in fact life events and experiences, such as childhood bullying, abuse, or other trauma. This supports the idea that nurture plays significant role in the development of mental health issues.

Nature vs. Nurture in Therapy

Twin toddlers stand next to each other, playing with a dandelionIn the mental health field, some therapeutic treatments and approaches may be nature-based or nurture-based, depending on which paradigm to which they adhere. For example, an extremely nature-based approach might seek to address mental health on a biological or genetic level, while a nurture-based approach could be more likely to address a person’s learned beliefs and behaviors. Most approaches borrow from both nature and nurture-based philosophies, and many seek to address the interaction between nature and nurture.

For example, using medication to treat a mental health issue may be a primarily nature-based approach, while behavioral therapy, which stems from behaviorist psychology, addresses a person’s upbringing and conditioning and takes a nurture-based point of view. Meanwhile, therapies based in cognitive psychology may be more likely to address the effects of both nature and nurture.

It is possible to find a therapist who takes a more nature or nurture-based approach to treatment. However, many therapists today consider multiple factors, including how the nature and nurture work together, during a session.

How Nature and Nurture Interact

Many scientists eschew the nature vs. nurture debate by emphasizing “nature x nurture.” In this schema, nature and nurture are inseparable. Some genes, for example, cannot be activated without certain environmental inputs. The development of vision is a prime example of this. People cannot develop normal sight without exposure to visual stimuli.

Similarly, some environmental inputs may be undermined by some genes. For example, some lifelong smokers may never experience smoking-related illnesses, and this may be due at least in part to their genes. Environmental toxins may alter the expression of some genes, and genes for many behaviors presumed to have a genetic basis have not been discovered.

Developmental systems theory, among other theories, presents an alternative to this debate that does not require scientists to advocate either for nature or nurture.

References:

  1. Agin, D. P. (2010). More than genes: What science can tell us about toxic chemicals, development, and the risk to our children. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  2. Alcoholism Nature vs. Nurture. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dualdiagnosis.org/alcohol-addiction/nature-vs-nurture.
  3. Facts about Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2015, from http://adamhscc.org/en-US/facts-bipolar.asp.
  4. Iliades, C. (2013, February 7). Mental Illness May Be In Your Genes. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/mental-iillness-may-be-in-your-genes-1751.aspx.
  5. Lewis, T. (2014, August 11). Twins Separated at Birth Reveal Staggering Influence of Genetics. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/47288-twin-study-importance-of-genetics.html.
  6. Ohikuare, J. (2014, January 21). Life as a Nonviolent Psychopath. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/life-as-a-nonviolent-psychopath/282271.
  7. Moore, D. S. (2003). The dependent gene: The fallacy of nature vs. nurture. New York, NY: Henry Holt.
  8. Putt, G. (2013, October 20). Nurture Over Nature: Mental Illness and Traumatic Life Events. Retrieved from http://www.decodedscience.com/nurture-nature-mental-illness-traumatic-life-events/3836.

Last Updated: 09-28-2018

  • 80 comments
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  • Kristina

    April 7th, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    You probably mean this:

    In recent years, the “NATURE” side of the debate has gained more attention, with popular headlines trumpeting newly-discovered genes for virtually every behavior.

    Genes relate to nature, and in this sentence, it means that genes affect behavior. Therefore, nature affects behavior.

    Correct me if I’m wrong though. Great article!

  • toni tiner

    January 6th, 2017 at 12:00 PM

    i agree

  • Smart boy

    January 9th, 2019 at 10:52 AM

    Who wrote this
    i need it for a citation

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    January 10th, 2019 at 2:18 PM

    Hi Smart boy,

    Thanks for visiting GoodTherapy. There is no named author — the author of this page is simply “GoodTherapy.” I would recommend asking your professor or faculty how they would like you to cite a website with no named author.

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  • Alexis

    May 2nd, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    I think they both genes and environment are very important to our development. Our environment is able to trigger molecular changes and therefore gene expression varies, but our genes may limit that as well. I think it is something you can’t have a general rule for, first of all because of the number of environments, not only that but also the genetic differences we each hold.It’s a great article on a great topic.

  • Virginia W.

    February 24th, 2019 at 6:36 AM

    I agree!

  • Karen Dale Dungo

    July 14th, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.” – John B. Watson

  • Chandler Nielsen

    April 7th, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    the topic of nature versus nurture has always fascinated me, I am adopted so I find I am often trying to pick at myself and see what I inherited psychologically through genetics and what I picked up from learning behaviors I was raised around.

  • Alaya P

    April 21st, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    This is awesome

  • Peter of Narnia

    January 5th, 2015 at 10:51 AM

    Sup homies?

  • No

    June 15th, 2018 at 2:09 AM

    No

  • ahem

    January 8th, 2019 at 12:20 PM

    ok

  • Oil G.

    February 3rd, 2015 at 7:24 PM

    I am oil, sirdoil, manoil, goodes

  • Jon H

    February 9th, 2015 at 12:39 AM

    A good scientific discussion. Really nature vs nurture has become a big discussion topic for parents and also for scientists. I personally feel a striking balance between the two is important to lead a successful life. Your child will be gifted with some good genetic traits but good habits and mindset to succeed in every situation, needs to be embedded within your child through your actions.
    So, preach what you say and do, along with giving your child time, knowledge, and confidence that your child is special and can do anything. In the same way a billionaire Mark Zuckerberg was raised by his father Edward. We all want our child to be successful like him.

  • Stephen

    August 18th, 2015 at 2:36 PM

    environment

  • MacDobac

    December 21st, 2015 at 4:48 AM

    Sure genes effect a lot of behaviors but are they the most important contributing factor. In most behaviors they are not. If genetics was the biggest contributing factor we would not have different cultures. In acient greek and roman cultures homosexual sex was common place and was viewed as a purer form of sex than straight sex. (sexual orientation might be predetermined however the behavior is not even in such a strong drive as sexual drive. )
    If we can be behaviorally conditioned to abstain from sex (and food and water , during prolonged fasts Eating is genetically programmed into all of us. ) We can be conditioned to form all sorts of strange behaviors (Hence the cultural differences)
    Different cultures cannot be a genetic link because scientifically speaking “races” do not exist. And neither do ethnicities. If it was all predominantly determined by nature we wouldnt have different cultures. (or in fact poor people would be more violent, rich people wouldnt correlate with higher IQ which they do. etc Examples are endless )

  • PI

    January 13th, 2016 at 1:57 PM

    Nurture DUH!

  • billy

    January 20th, 2016 at 8:30 AM

    who wrote this article?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    January 20th, 2016 at 8:51 AM

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  • Lisa

    February 24th, 2016 at 2:26 PM

    When was this article published?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    February 24th, 2016 at 3:52 PM

    Dear Lisa,

    This article was last updated on 08-12-2015.

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  • Emily

    March 14th, 2016 at 8:07 PM

    How would I site this article?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    March 15th, 2016 at 8:23 AM

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    We emailed you some instructions on how to cite articles like this one in APA style.

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  • Nancy S

    August 16th, 2016 at 3:56 PM

    Would you please send me the way to cite this also?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    August 17th, 2016 at 8:18 AM

    Hi Nancy,
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  • Hannah F.

    March 20th, 2016 at 2:25 AM

    How would i cite this article?

  • Jennifer F.

    March 20th, 2016 at 7:52 AM

    Hi,great article. I am new to the site, and am subscribing to the newsletter. Can you please email me how to site this article in a paper I’m writing ?
    Thanks and have a blessed day.

  • Lee

    March 28th, 2016 at 10:24 AM

    How do you cite this APA format?

  • kaitlyn

    April 14th, 2016 at 6:56 PM

    How do i cite this page in an APA style format when trying to reference it?

  • Ebony

    April 15th, 2016 at 11:02 AM

    how will i cite this article?

  • Andrew

    April 20th, 2016 at 1:40 PM

    Excuse me but how could I be able to cite this article?

  • kelly

    April 26th, 2016 at 10:44 AM

    how do i cite this article? who is the author

  • Gina

    May 3rd, 2016 at 10:02 PM

    Hi, how will I site this in APA?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    May 4th, 2016 at 8:32 AM

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    Thanks for thinking of us and including us in your research. Since some of you have asked how to cite this in APA style, we’d like share a simple citation to help your efforts. Because this page has no single author and is regularly revisited and revised, this is how you would cite it:

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  • Skylar

    September 20th, 2016 at 8:46 AM

    How do i cite this ?

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    September 20th, 2016 at 9:18 AM

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  • Becca

    February 15th, 2017 at 11:31 AM

    How do I cite this article in MLA 8. I am only missing the author and the publisher.

  • Cristina T

    March 1st, 2017 at 5:53 AM

    This is an article that anyone could benefit from,like many other people I agree environment plays a big part how that person will succeed in life! Example I grew up in Romania during the Communism many people had to adapt to that environment the outcome was obvious for people that disagreed with that way of life, so consequences had occurred! When you grow up in a great family with good influences children have a positive outcome, what about the choices you make that will also have an impact regardless of the environment/nature/nurture! My family emigrated to Us which completely changed environment so all of us had to adapt even though we had known a very controlled environment! So here we are our behaviors are influenced by environment and choices we make! Nature has a great influence the way we behave also the animals as well as the plants are adapting accordingly! So should we try to change the environment and nature? I believe nature wins! Nurture has also influenced us! How much nature and environment contribute to the kind of life in adulthood! DNA also plays a role in the way we behave with certain traits and characteristics according to the environmental conditions! Nature and Nurture work together we relate to both with choices we make and degree of adaptation we have! Interesting subject with great possible debates and future choices!

  • Gary

    March 12th, 2017 at 3:32 PM

    It’s wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this article as well as from our dialogue made at this time.

  • Don T

    March 22nd, 2017 at 10:55 AM

    Great informational and well-written article! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how mental illness is affected by both nature and nurture and how each plays a role in determining the progression of a specific mental illness. I want to thank you for writing and sharing your article!

  • JUSTICE

    April 4th, 2017 at 10:43 AM

    Well expounded and clarified article.

  • Steven S

    April 19th, 2017 at 6:08 AM

    This article helped me a lot with my paper thank you but who is the author of this article

  • asdfasdf

    May 22nd, 2017 at 9:52 AM

    Amazing document!!!

  • Parry

    June 28th, 2017 at 6:20 AM

    Nature over nurture.
    Who taught the first human if not nature? We have all been fed the same information learned from trail and error since the dawn of human race. Therefore we all learned from nature; indirectly, and directly.
    Thank you for reading

  • megan

    October 2nd, 2017 at 9:35 AM

    I found this article to be very confusing could you explain more

    Several studies done on twins separated shortly after birth reveal that genetics do play a significant role in the development of certain personality characteristics, sexual orientation, and religiosity. The bond between identical twins was also suggested to be genetic by these studies, as 80% of identical twins reported that they felt closer to their twin than they did to their closest friends, despite having just met their twin. One study also suggested that genetics play a significant role in the development of personality: Environment had little effect on personality when twins were raised together, though it did have an effect when they were raised apart
    mainly the last sentence.

  • Hunter

    October 19th, 2017 at 12:26 PM

    Is this a peer reviewed article?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    October 19th, 2017 at 3:20 PM

    Hi Hunter,

    Thank you for your comment. This is not a peer-reviewed article.

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  • Toni G

    February 11th, 2018 at 8:43 PM

    I feel that this was a very interesting article because I really enjoy learning about child development, and there were many sources with scientific backing. I find it interesting that there is still so much debate surrounding these concepts of development.

  • Johnathan

    February 20th, 2018 at 12:13 PM

    Who is the author of this article?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    February 20th, 2018 at 12:22 PM

    Hi Johnathan,
    Thank you for taking the time to comment. As mentioned above, GoodTherapy.org staff members wrote this article. Please refer to previous comment chains that also include information on how to cite this page in APA style.
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  • Natasha

    April 10th, 2018 at 3:19 AM

    Hi sorry when was this page last updated

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    April 10th, 2018 at 8:36 AM

    Thank you for your comment, Natasha. This page was last updated on 08/12/2015.

  • Nancy

    May 9th, 2018 at 8:04 PM

    Who is the author of this?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    May 10th, 2018 at 8:22 AM

    Hello Nancy! Thank you for your question. There is no named author — the author of this page is simply “GoodTherapy.org.”

    I hope this is helpful! If you have any questions about this or anything else, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are in the office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time; our phone number is 888-563-2112 ext. 2.

  • Amanda L

    June 9th, 2018 at 9:29 AM

    Great article. In my opinion, I think nature and nurture work together rather than one playing a bigger role than the other.

  • Alyssa

    October 23rd, 2018 at 6:28 AM

    i think this is a good article i think nature over nurture because most of the things in our life comes from nature and everything.

  • Brandan

    December 19th, 2018 at 8:04 AM

    Hi GoodTherapy, How would i cite this using MLA8?

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    December 19th, 2018 at 11:21 AM

    Hi, Brandan! We’re happy to hear you’re finding our blog to be a helpful resource! There is no named author — the author of this page is simply “GoodTherapy.” We would recommend asking your professor or faculty how they would like you to cite a website with no named author.

  • Shaggy I.

    February 22nd, 2019 at 1:23 PM

    Hey, can anyone tell me who wrote this,,,,,, I need to cite it! Thank you for your consideration =^_^=
    Kind regards, Shaggy

  • The GoodTherapy.org Team

    February 23rd, 2019 at 9:56 AM

    Hi Shaggy,

    I’m happy to hear you’re finding our site to be a helpful resource! There is no named author — the author of this page is simply “GoodTherapy.” I would recommend asking your professor or faculty how they would like you to cite a website with no named author.

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    The GoodTherapy Team

  • Tara

    June 5th, 2019 at 5:48 AM

    Interesting article!

  • 69854

    June 17th, 2019 at 4:43 AM

    good

  • stacey

    June 21st, 2019 at 3:48 PM

    Interesting that a healthy family environment can have a dramatic affect on personality.

  • stacey

    June 21st, 2019 at 3:50 PM

    Interesting article

  • Seychelle

    February 10th, 2020 at 3:36 PM

    What social benefits does nature provide when it comes to this debate?

  • Gordon

    February 18th, 2020 at 7:38 PM

    As counselors what are some of your perspective on Nature and Nurture ?

  • Margaret

    January 24th, 2021 at 12:59 PM

    I think ones environment and genetics go hand in hand. Like in a family two sisters are raised in the same environment but they have received different genes from the parents so they are different on how they relate to people and act.

  • b

    January 25th, 2021 at 1:48 PM

    the article was very helpful.

  • Cynthia

    March 28th, 2021 at 11:18 PM

    Please year was this written

  • LaurenGT

    March 29th, 2021 at 8:56 AM

    Hi Cynthia! It first went live on August 31, 2012.

  • Patsy

    November 4th, 2021 at 4:56 PM

    I have known several sets of twins. I also have twin and they are very close to each other. The female twin has always been a mother to the boy twin and very protective . She also would help him with homework and try to answer questions for him in school. They are very connected.

  • Patsy

    November 4th, 2021 at 5:00 PM

    Our culture today effects all of us especially our children. I think Our experiences influences our behavior.

  • Edgar

    March 1st, 2022 at 12:01 PM

    How many times was this revised/edited?

  • Mell

    March 24th, 2022 at 7:36 PM

    I strongly believe that our environment plays a more important role in our up bringing, a child being locked away from birth in a dark room without food for 3 years will not grow like a child that was exposed to the environment, genetics will not win the, traits will not win so despite what we were born with the environment ( nurture ) must be present for all of these that we were born with to express its self or it will be null.

  • Lea

    July 8th, 2022 at 3:22 PM

    So I’m in psychology right now and I’m having to right a discussion on Nature vs Nurture debate and what our opinion about rather if we get our personality bass on nature or nurture? And as for me I’ve been in the medical field for over 20 Years and I would have bass my opinion directly on nature, but after reading this article and the examples I’ve changed my mind totally. Now I’m going with nature and nurture. This is one of the best written and very informational and lots of facts on the debate on nature vs nurture debate. As humans we learn in every way rather if we’re taught by our parents or out in the world. So I get it why there is a debate about it. I’m so very happy to have had chose your website to read and to gain more knowledge about this theory and more about psychology. Thank you so very much I appreciate every bit of information that you provide.
    Thank so very much
    Lea

  • nessia

    September 2nd, 2022 at 1:20 PM

    I find it interesting to see how in some cases people were not raised in an environment with a characteristic yet this dna runs through generations and appears in another later in the blood line.

  • Amy

    September 6th, 2022 at 1:25 PM

    It’s interesting to see how even though being raised in a different environment, people who share the same dna have similar interests.

  • duane

    September 6th, 2022 at 1:44 PM

    For me there’s a connection between nature and nurture. As stated in the article, sometimes a trait is hereditary however if a person is raised in a home in which that characteristic trait is not enhanced it is subdued.

  • Samar

    May 6th, 2023 at 10:37 PM

    The truth is that neither everything that we do is by nature, i.e. we are born with it; nor every thing is by nurture. We are free and we are determined both at the same time. Nature and nurture both work in our lives. Our freedom is limited, nevertheless it does exist and it is the deciding factor for our responsibility and consequently for the eternal reward or punishment.

  • Misti

    July 22nd, 2023 at 1:21 PM

    I found this very interesting.

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