• Question: If you had to pick, which side of the argument would you back; nature or nurture?

    Asked by BL to Jermaine, Gem, Jack, Michelle, Steve on 12 Jun 2017. This question was also asked by Chloe, Banny.
    • Photo: Jermaine Ravalier

      Jermaine Ravalier answered on 12 Jun 2017:

      Depends what you’re talking about. I teach personality and intelligence, and at a basic level they’re both more nature. But that’s an easy way to look at it.

      Our genes don’t work without being ‘activated’ by our environment, so really it’s a bit of both.

    • Photo: Michelle Jamieson

      Michelle Jamieson answered on 22 Jun 2017:

      A bit of both, but I’d side with nature.

    • Photo: Steven Brown

      Steven Brown answered on 22 Jun 2017:

      Will call it a tie, a draw. For sure environment needs to be taken into account. From a health perspective, where you live will have a huge impact on your health, how long you will live. Your genes cannot help you if you live in a deprived area.

Comments

  • Photo: Steve

    Steve commented on :

    Not sure if there’s a firm agreement on this but Steven Pinker, a super smart psychologist who knows a lot about the biological side of things, he explains that nature is about 50% of who you are and your ‘unique environment’ accounts for the bulk of the other 50%. That is, where you live and who you are friends with etc.