MODULE 3
Issues on Human
Development
“The interaction of heredity and environment is so extensive that to ask which is
more important, nature or nurture, is like asking which is more important to a
rectangle, height or width"
-William Greenough
Presented By: Anna Lyn Leyson & Norlaisa Macarimbor
LEARNING OUTCOME & INTRODUCTION
Learning Outcome
By the end of discussion, we all will be able to take a research-based position
on the three issues in human development.
Introduction
Everyone already has informal way of looking at our own and other
people's development.
Scholars formalize these into research-backed models
Today: three long-standing debates that shape how psychologists study
development
ISSUE 1
Nature vs. Nurture
Nature Nurture
Human development is Human development is
mainly influenced by mainly influenced by the
genetics and biological environment and
factors. experiences.
(genes and heredity passed down (parenting, culture, schooling,
at conception) exposure)
ISSUE 1
Nature vs. Nurture
Example
Nature Nurture
A child inherits their eye color, A child who grows up in a home
height potential, or natural where people read books every
musical ability from their parents. day is more likely to develop
strong reading and language
skills.
ISSUE 2
Continuity vs. Discontinuity
Continuity Discontinuity
Development happens Development happens in
gradually, with small distinct stages, with
changes building on each noticeable changes
other over time. between one stage and the
(like a seedling growing into a tree) next.
(like a caterpillar becoming a
butterfly)
ISSUE 2
Continuity vs. Discontinuity
Example
Continuity Discontinuity
A child learns to speak by first According to Jean Piaget, a child
making sounds, then saying single moves through different stages of
words, then short sentences, and cognitive development. For example,
eventually having full a child in the preoperational stage
conversations. Each stage builds thinks differently from a child in the
smoothly on the previous one. concrete operational stage,
showing a significant shift in
reasoning abilities.
ISSUE 3
Stability vs. Change
Stability Change
People maintain the same People's characteristics
personality traits or and behaviors can change
characteristics throughout over time because of
life. experiences and learning.
(your core temperament, (new relationships, environments,
personality, attachment style) deliberate effort, or major life
events)
ISSUE 3
Stability vs. Change
Example
Stability Change
A child who is naturally shy A shy child becomes confident
remains shy as a teenager and after joining public speaking
adult. activities and gaining experience.
ABSTRACTION
The Debate Continues
The issues presented can be translated into questions that have sparked animated debate among developmentalists.
Are girls less likely to do well in math because of their 'feminine' nature or because of
1
society's 'masculine' bias?
2 How extensively can the elderly be trained to reason more effectively?
How much, if at all, does our memory decline in old age? Can techniques be used to
3
prevent or reduce the decline?
For children who experienced a world of poverty, neglect by parents, and poor schooling
4 in childhood, can enriched experiences in adolescence remove the 'deficits' that they
encountered earlier in their development?
ABSTRACTION
The Resolution: “Both-And” not “Either-Or”
“Development is not all nature or all nurture, not all continuity or discontinuity,
and not all stability or all change.”
Both nature and nurture, The key to development is the
continuity and discontinuity, interaction of nature and
stability and change nurture rather than either factor
characterize our life-span alone.
development.
In other words, it is a matter of "both and" not "either-or."
ABSTRACTION
The Resolution: “Both-And” not “Either-Or”
SUMMARY
No Genes, No Person. Not a 50/50 Split
No Environment, No Person.
Both genes and environment are necessary Contributions aren't additive, we can't say 50%
for a person even to exist. Heredity and heredity, 50% environment. Genes produce
environment operate together, cooperate and proteins throughout the lifespan, in many
interact, to produce a person's intelligence, environments, or they don't, depending on
temperament, height, weight, and ability to how harsh or nourishing those environments
read. are.
APPLICATION
Case Study: How the First Nine Months Shape the Rest of Your Life
What makes us the way we are?
Why are some people predisposed to be anxious, overweight or asthmatic?
How is it that some of us are prone to heart attacks, diabetes or high blood
pressure?
APPLICATION
Case Study: How the First Nine Months Shape the Rest of Your Life
What makes us the way we are?
We are the way we are because it's in our genes.
Why are some people predisposed to be anxious, overweight or asthmatic?
How is it that some of us are prone to heart attacks, diabetes or high blood
pressure?
APPLICATION
Case Study: How the First Nine Months Shape the Rest of Your Life
What makes us the way we are?
We are the way we are because it's in our genes.
Why are some people predisposed to be anxious, overweight or asthmatic?
We turn out the way we do because of our childhood experiences.
How is it that some of us are prone to heart attacks, diabetes or high blood
pressure?
APPLICATION
Case Study: How the First Nine Months Shape the Rest of Your Life
What makes us the way we are?
We are the way we are because it's in our genes.
Why are some people predisposed to be anxious, overweight or asthmatic?
We turn out the way we do because of our childhood experiences.
How is it that some of us are prone to heart attacks, diabetes or high blood
pressure?
Our health and well-being stem from the lifestyle choices we make as adults.
APPLICATION
Case Study: How the First Nine Months Shape the Rest of Your Life
Fetal Origins- your life as a fetus
The most consequential period of our
lives, PERMANENTLY influencing the
wiring of the brain and the functioning of
organs such as the heart, liver and
pancreas.
Nutrition you received in the womb;
Pollutants, drugs and infections you
were exposed to during gestation;
Your mother's health and state of
mind while she was pregnant with
you
3 ISSUES ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
ISSUE 1
Nature vs. Nurture
ISSUE 2
Continuity vs. Discontinuity
ISSUE 3
Stability vs. Change
Thank you
for listening!