Table of ContentsLiterature ReviewReviewThe Nature ArgumentThe Nurture ArgumentMeet the MiddleConclusionReferencesFrom the ancient to the modern period, learning theories have varied in depending on the support and criticism of each new theory. Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle relied on nature or nurture to explain human behavior (Kan et al., 2013). Plato believed that knowledge was innate and that every object in the physical world had corresponding abstract “ideas”/“forms”. Aristotle rejected this notion and believed that “knowledge is the result of experience” and was obtained from sensory experience and reasoning (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2015) (Cherry, 2020). In more recent theories the debate has become more scientific, John Locke who followed Aristotle believed that the mind was a blank slate or a blank slate for the modern scientist who believed that genetics (i.e. nature) is the key to human behavior (Cherry, 2020). . However, genes can be turned on and off based on environmental cues or triggers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay When it comes to the question of nature or nurture, choosing the right side is not always easy because one variable affects the other. Additionally, the focus is no longer on one versus the other, but rather on the interaction and how they influence each other. The development and strength of individuals' intelligence depends on how nature and nurture interact. The purpose of the following article is to verify and support the validity of this theory with empirical evidence from both sides of the issue. The contributions of these philosophers have allowed researchers to study different areas related to the question of nature and nurture (for example, in linguistic development and research). For example, Frederick II, a medieval emperor, conducted a diabolical experiment trying to discover what language children would speak growing up if they were never spoken to. In this experiment, King Frederick removed babies from their mothers and placed them in the care of nurses. Nurses were not allowed to talk to babies. As a result, babies did not develop any language, indicating signs of nature – nurture (Steen, 1996). Notably, French philosopher René Descartes relied on innate ideas using the concept of God to show evidence of the influence of nature (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2015). Literature Review Intelligence is defined differently among experts in the field of psychology and testing. Alfred Binet, the originator of the modern intelligence test, defined intelligence as “the tendency to take and maintain a definite direction; the ability to adapt in order to achieve a desired end and the power of self-criticism” Kaplan (2013 cited Terman, 1916, p.45). Based on this definition, Binet wanted to assess how individuals would perform on a scale when subjected to various tests from time to time. Binet and his colleague Théodore Simon were appointed by the French Minister of Education to develop a test to identify intellectually limited children (i.e. mentally retarded and learning disabled). The focus was on developing a test that would tap judgment, attention, and reasoning using trial-and-error and hypothesis-testing procedures (Kaplan, 2013). The scale they developed became known as the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale and was laterrenamed the Standard-Binet Intelligence Scale. He was guided by two principles in developing measures of intelligence: age differentiation and general mental ability. Age differentiation involves taking younger and older children and comparing them to the abilities of older children. For example, a six-year-old capable of performing tasks appropriate for an eight-year-old would have a mental age of eight. General mental ability measures the total product of various separate and distinct elements of behavior (Kaplan, 2013). Thus, intelligence tests have been used to support education about how they have developed over time. age and practice. Binet's work shaped the field of psychology testing and his influence led other developers to create their mental measurement scale. David Wechsler developed Binet's work and his scale provided an overall score, unlike Binet's (single overall score). . Wechsler used a point scale for age and included a performance scale. The Binet scale focused on grouping items by age level and required subjects to pass certain items to receive credit for a test (Kaplan, 2013). The Wechsler measurement scale became known as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and there are four different versions of this scale. Today, the current version of this scale consists of four main scores: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed (Cherry, 2020). Criticism Standardized intelligence tests have enjoyed a wide range of success since their creation. For example, Alfred Binet's measurement scale helped school systems identify children with mental retardation and learning disabilities and place them in the appropriate program. However, with great success comes criticism. Critics have claimed that intelligence tests are inadequate and only measure the skills required to pass the tests. Additionally, intelligence testing is biased against certain racial and economic groups. There is a correlation between socio-economic backgrounds for all standardized tests by Kaplan (2013 cited Bornstein, Hahn, Suwalsky and Haynes 2003; Hart, Petrill, Deckard and Thompson, 2007). The Argument from NatureHumanity shares a common strand of DNA (e.g., eye color, hair texture, and certain predisposed diseases) that can be accounted for in our genes. Those who favor heredity are called nativists. They believe that evolution can explain human behavior and that individual differences are part of what makes a person's genetic code unique (McLeod, 2018). When it comes to intelligence, most researchers have found that brain development can be examined by measuring brain size. , and intelligence is correlated with the number of neurons in the brain and the thickness of the cortex (Im, 2008). The Nurture Argument In contrast, those who favor environmental factors are known as empiricists. Their hypothesis is that at birth the mind is a tabula rasa/blank slate (Cherry, 2020). They believe that environmental influence is the cause of all behavior. Behaviorist John B. Watson supported the theory of nurturing and, through conditioning, he believed that people could be wired to be anything he wanted them to be: "Give me a dozen healthy infants." health, well trained, and my own specified world to bring. and I will guarantee to take anyone at random and train them to become whatever type of specialist Icould choose – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant leader and, yes, even beggar and thief, whatever his status. talents, inclinations, tendencies, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors. I go beyond my facts and admit it, as do those who argue otherwise, and they have done so for thousands of years” (Papierno et al., 2005, p. 128). He attempted to test his famous "by constructing an experiment that would later become controversial called "Le Petit Albert". Watson conducted this experiment with an eleven-month-old boy named Albert. At the beginning of the experiment, Albert was exposed to various stimuli (e.g., a white rat, a rabbit, a monkey, and masks) and showed no fear. As the experiment progressed, he developed a fear. When the stimulus (i.e., a white rat) was repeatedly paired with a loud noise (i.e., a hammer and a steel bar), the infant began to cry after saw the rat. As a result, Little Albert was conditioned to all furry objects (e.g., rabbit, dog, fur coat, cotton, and Santa mask). This experiment showed how human behavior is modified in the environment through conditioning (Olson & Hergenhahn, 2015). Meeting in the middle Researchers have commonly used twin studies to address the question of nature or nurture in human behavior. 'intelligence. Studies have shown that when one set of identical twins develops a predisposing illness (e.g., schizophrenia), there is a 50% chance that the other twin will inherit the same illness (Anonymous, 2005). Fraternal twins, however, have about a 16% chance (2005). Overall, there is no direct way to resolve the important question of whether intelligence is more dependent on nature/nurture, but the only solution is to examine the interaction (Cherry, 2020). Obviously, they are both responsible for intelligence. Conclusion The question of nature or nurture cannot be isolated; they are both equally responsible for intelligence. From the origin of this question, most philosophers (Plato and Descartes) favored nature, but other philosophers (Aristotle and Locke) questioned this notion and justified environmental factors as the origin of all behaviors. Additionally, researchers have used intelligence tests to support this theory. Intelligence research can be used in an academic setting to understand students' strengths and weaknesses where environment (e.g., school) and genetics (e.g., family history) interact. As a researcher, applying the concept of nature and nurture in the workplace will be essential when working in the field of industrial organizational psychology (IWO). For example, knowing the background and strengths of each candidate will help refine the process of selecting the right candidate for the position. Alfred Binet's measurement scale helped reform school tests by identifying children with mental disabilities and placing them in the correct category. curriculum. Its measurement scale was based on the notion of mental age. This scale estimates a child's mental age by comparing it to a child's average performance. The Binet measurement scale has influenced other intelligence tests (e.g., the David Wechsler measurement scale). Today, most of these intelligence tests have been used and criticized. Critics have claimed that intelligence tests only measure test-taking skills and are biased against certain racial and economic groups. Keep in mind: this is just a sample..2005.4.3.43