The Nature vs Nurture Debate (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Revision Note

The nature vs nurture debate

• The nature versus nurture debate explores whether human behaviour is mainly the result of biological factors (nature) or social learning and environment (nurture)

  • The nature argument suggests that our characteristics and behaviour are inherited from our parents through genes and biology

  • The nurture argument claims that behaviour is learned through socialisation and the influence of the agents of socialisation, such as family, peers, school, and the media

• Most sociologists today believe that both nature and nurture play a role in shaping human behaviour, but they argue that nurture — how we are brought up — has the stronger influence

The nature argument

• Supporters of the nature side argue that:

  • behaviour is biologically determined by our genes, just like physical traits such as eye or hair colour

  • personality and intelligence are largely inherited from parents

  • twin studies provide evidence, as identical twins (who share 100% of their genes) raised apart still show similar characteristics, such as IQ or temperament

  • some sociologists and biologists argue that certain traits are 'natural' — for example, that women are more caring because maternal instincts are genetically coded

• This view suggests that people behave as they do because they are born that way, not because of their social experiences

The nurture argument

• Supporters of the nurture view believe that:

  • most behaviour is learned through socialisation, not inherited.

  • individuals are shaped by their family, education, peers, media, and wider culture

  • people learn how to behave through norms and values passed down by others

  • this means behaviour varies across different societies and time periods, proving that it is not fixed by biology

• For example, clever parents may not pass on intelligence through genes alone, but by creating a stimulating home environment that encourages learning

Cultural diversity

• Sociologists use cultural diversity as strong evidence for the nurture argument

• If human behaviour were entirely biological, people everywhere would behave in the same way — but this is not the case

• Different cultures have different norms, values, and gender roles, showing that behaviour is learned within society, not biologically fixed

• For instance, the role of women varies greatly between societies and has changed over time

  • In some predominantly Muslim countries, cultural traditions may expect women to dress modestly in public, such as wearing a headscarf or veil

  • In Britain, women are free to dress as they choose and have equal legal rights to men in education and employment

• These differences demonstrate that behaviour is influenced by culture and social expectations, not by biology

Feral children

• Feral children provide powerful evidence for the nurture argument

• These are children who have grown up without normal human contact and missed out on the process of socialisation

• As a result, they often lack basic social skills such as speaking, understanding social rules, or behaving appropriately

• They show that human behaviour — such as communication, empathy, and cooperation — must be learned through interaction with others

• Without nurture, they cannot fully function within society

Evaluation of the nature vs nurture debate

• Most sociologists agree that both nature and nurture influence behaviour, but they believe that nurture plays the stronger role

• While genetics determine some physical traits such as height or eye colour, it is social factors — like upbringing, education, and culture — that shape a person’s personality, behaviour, and values

  • E.g., a child may have the genetic potential to be highly intelligent, but without access to education or mental stimulation, that potential might never be realised

• Overall, both nature and nurture interact to influence who we become — but the extent to which each factor matters most remains open to debate