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To what extent does nurture influence cognitive and biological psychology? - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 13
To what extent does nurture influence cognitive and biological psychology?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:To what extent does nurture influence cognitive and biological psychology? - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Define nurture in psychological terms.
Answer
Nurture refers to the environment, interactions, and experiences that a person has over the duration of their lifetime. These factors include cultural experiences, environmental influences, and interactions that contribute to an individual's psychological development.
Step 2
Explain how nurture affects cognitive processes.
Answer
Nurture influences cognitive psychology through experiences that shape memory and understanding. For example, cultural experiences change how individuals build cognitive schemas. Additionally, exposure to harmful substances during prenatal development can lead to impairments in cognitive functioning.
Step 3
Discuss the impact of nurture on biological psychology.
Answer
In biological psychology, nurture can influence brain functioning. Brain damage, whether through injury or external toxins, affects cognitive processes. For instance, amnesia may develop from physical damage to brain regions that can also be influenced by environmental factors.
Step 4
Evaluate challenges in isolating the effects of nurture.
Answer
It is often difficult to isolate the impact of nurture when studying memory or brain functioning. Factors such as prior experiences and existing biological components can overlap, making it challenging to measure pure environmental influence. Studies, like those by Raine et al. (1997), highlight how violence, tied to background circumstances, can distort the understanding of cognitive and biological behaviors.
Step 5
Cite relevant studies or frameworks supporting the influence of nurture.
Answer
Research by Olds and Milner (1954) demonstrates the role of nurture in shaping reward pathways in the brain, indicating that external experiences can create new pathways of behavior. Bartlett's (1932) study on memory reconstruction further illustrates how individual experiences and social contexts influence cognitive processes.
Step 6
Integrate findings on prenatal influences and overall assessments.
Answer
Research by Sha-Shan Wu et al. (2011) shows that pre-natal exposure to certain environments can affect both biological and cognitive psychology simultaneously. This intersection emphasizes that understanding behavior necessitates a holistic view of both nature and nurture.