Nature vs. Nurture

[Tempus]

I reckon we all start as blank books but we have the tools to write the 'useful stuff' down for survival. Like you say, we learn what things to fear or be careful with, such as hot things through our 5 senses toolkit.

I'm just curious, what do you think we're born with when you say we don't start as blank slates?

To continue the fear example, I'd reckon we're hard-wired to be afraid of loud noises*, sudden movements - things like that. More broadly, I tend to think things like levels of aggression may be part of nature, but still influenced by nurture. I guess I consider psychological development analogous to muscular growth. Ultimately a person's shape is somewhat set, but it's still alterable within given ranges. Some people who do weight training get big and bulky, while others are relatively small and lean. Likewise, with someone may be predisposed to be more aggressive than the average human, but, given the appropriate upbringing, can learn to become less aggressive, change thought patterns, etc. The parts of the brain you use most grow, whereas the ones in disuse shrink, or so I recall. But again, these are just speculations on my part.

*Funnily enough, as I typed this paragraph my alarm clock went off and scared the crap out of me!

[FallentoReason]

I reckon we all start as blank books but we have the tools to write the 'useful stuff' down for survival. Like you say, we learn what things to fear or be careful with, such as hot things through our 5 senses toolkit.

I'm just curious, what do you think we're born with when you say we don't start as blank slates?

To continue the fear example, I'd reckon we're hard-wired to be afraid of loud noises*, sudden movements - things like that. More broadly, I tend to think things like levels of aggression may be part of nature, but still influenced by nurture. I guess I consider psychological development analogous to muscular growth. Ultimately a person's shape is somewhat set, but it's still alterable within given ranges. Some people who do weight training get big and bulky, while others are relatively small and lean. Likewise, with someone may be predisposed to be more aggressive than the average human, but, given the appropriate upbringing, can learn to become less aggressive, change thought patterns, etc. The parts of the brain you use most grow, whereas the ones in disuse shrink, or so I recall. But again, these are just speculations on my part.

*Funnily enough, as I typed this paragraph my alarm clock went off and scared the crap out of me!

So certain instincts we had when we were born? I reckon that's the case actually.

A loud alarm clock is the only alarm clock that will get you out of bed!

[Annik]

These instincts are on par with the instinct to suck, in my opinion. It's not a learned thing.

[Epimethean]

SUCH a great instinct!

[Whateverist]

These instincts are on par with the instinct to suck, in my opinion. It's not a learned thing.

I once had a girlfriend who must have started off with that instinct but boy did she ever make it into an art form.

Seriously though I'm also fascinated by the question. Beyond the basic instinctual contribution every human is hard wired with, just what dispositions and quirks can be inherited? As others have said it is a hard question to answer but there have been studies of identical twins separated at birth which seem to indicate that the contribution of nature is much greater than many suppose.

Growing up when I did, with the prevalent cultural and familial examples of women's roles, I wondered at a young age what the essential differences are in the way men and women experience the world. Since we're as much sacks of hormones as we are computer circuits, there must be some differences but not necessarily to such a degree that the normal range of differences do not overlap for any particular aspect you care to study.

As someone who has taught mathematics to young people for quite some time I have noticed a couple of characteristics which seem to correlate along sexual lines. In terms of range of capability I can't say that I've noticed any differences. But there do seem to be two differences .. not that I know whether they reflect the influence of nurture of nature.

One is that boys tend to be more confident. Teaching honors section, girls have at times questioned whether they belonged there when they receive their first A-. Boys on the other hand will sometimes remain convinced that their poor score reflects a flaw in the test's construction. A boy that has never receive a mark higher than a C- may never the less entertain the notion that they are one of the brighter students in the class. Confidence for boys (though of course not all boys) seems almost evidence proof.

The other is in maturity and self-discipline. Girls have it in spades compared to their male colleagues. In general, they complete assignments more regularly and with more complete expression than the boys. There are of course many exceptions to every rule but these patterns jump out.

[Epimethean]

I've been teaching for sixteen years. You have put the differences well. I teach rather unconventionally, and I tend to bring the girls forward as leaders, which challenges the boys to either become more complete in their mastery or to understand why they are not running the show.

[Whateverist]

Epimethean,

I wonder if you are 'out' to your students regarding your atheism? I'm not but I'm conflicted about it. I've just never wanted to make dealing with my lack of religion a requisite for achieving ones potential in my classroom. On the other hand I think it could help them in other ways to know.

Perhaps if I was a humanities teacher I'd go for it. I have a friend on staff who is lesbian and she runs a GSA chapter which is very popular on campus. That is a confront for some kids but I think it is very important and I support her very much. Of course sexual orientation is about who you are and one shouldn't have to hide that. Atheism, on the other hand, is about what I'm not. It is not central to who I am and requires no effort to hide .. except when I receive a direct question. Then I answer as little as possible: "we don't go to church", etc.

With staff I'm out. A jewish friend once confided how sick she got of Christmas in the winter. I told her how tiring I found it to constantly dance around the tender feelings of theists of all stripes. I tend not to push it politically but I insert it where it fits. Like I say, it isn't a special issue for me really.

How do you handle this?

[Epimethean]

I'm open with them. Most of them are non-christians (read: more open minded), with a majority being Hindi, Buddhist or Taoist, so my atheism does not trouble them. I don't advertise it, but when they ask, I always answer. I think it is very important to be up front with kids.