Nature vs. Nurture Essay

Each of us is the product of both our genetic makeup and the environment in which we develop. Our genes, in turn, have been shaped over time by the process of evolution.

As you complete this exercise, consider the following:

• How do nature, nurture and evolution affect the development of an individual?

• How do we determine the relative influence of heredity and environment?

By the end of this activity, you will be able to:

• define behavior genetics and explain how heredity and environment influence differences in behavior

• describe evolutionary psychology and explain how this perspective seeks to explain our universal behaviors

Complete the following:

Write a two-to-three page paper in which you choose a specific characteristic of yourself (it can be a physical feature, an ability or a type of behavior) that you believe to have been affected by your environment (physical, social, or both). Describe it and explain how the environment may have played a role in your developing this characteristic. If you wanted to do research to find out for certain whether the environment affects this characteristic in people, what method would you use? Be sure to use information and vocabulary appropriate to this topic.

Your essay should be a minimum of 500 words (two-three pages) and should completely address each question. Cite at least two references including the text to support your response. Although APA Style is not required for this essay your writing should be clear and concise. Please submit via the assignment drop box as a WORD attachment.