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To what extent do social psychology and cognitive psychology consider human behaviour to be determined by nurture? - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 15 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 15
To what extent do social psychology and cognitive psychology consider human behaviour to be determined by nurture?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:To what extent do social psychology and cognitive psychology consider human behaviour to be determined by nurture? - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 15 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Nature relates to innate characteristics such as genes, hormones, and the brain.
Answer
Nature encompasses those traits and characteristics that are biologically inherited, including genetic factors that can influence behavior. For example, studies in behavioral genetics might reveal how genes can predispose individuals towards certain behaviors.
Step 2
Nurture relates to environmental factors such as drugs, disease, and diet.
Answer
Nurture suggests that human behavior is shaped significantly by environmental influences. Elements such as upbringing, social interactions, and cultural context play crucial roles in molding individual behaviors, attitudes, and experiences.
Step 3
Psychologists are interested in the nature-nurture debate to find the source of behavioural traits in individuals.
Answer
This debate is central to contemporary psychology. Understanding whether behaviors are primarily formed by genetic predispositions or by environmental conditions can help in addressing psychological issues and developing interventions.
Step 4
Social psychology explains human behaviour through the influence of groups and personality.
Answer
Social psychologists study how group dynamics and social contexts can shape individual behavior. Theories such as social learning theory emphasize the impact of observational learning and social reinforcement in behavior development.
Step 5
Cognitive psychology attempts to explain how memory works using models that emphasise nurture in the need for attention and rehearsal.
Answer
Cognitive psychologists investigate how memory and information processing are impacted by environmental factors. For instance, they explore how rehearsal and attention strategies, often instigated by social contexts, influence memory retention.
Step 6
The case of HM supports the existence of nature affecting the memory as he was unable to remember new factual information after surgery.
Answer
The case of HM (Henry Molaison) illustrates the nature aspect, as his inability to form new memories post-surgery highlights the biological underpinnings of memory. However, nurture is evident in how memory techniques and external cues could potentially aid in memory improvement.
Step 7
Clive Wearing (Blakemore, 1988) supports nurture to a certain extent, because an illness prevented new memories being stored.
Answer
Clive Wearing suffered from a severe case of amnesia due to a viral infection, demonstrating how environmental factors (his illness) can drastically interfere with memory function, underlining the role of nurture in cognitive processes.
Step 8
Blass (2012) found little difference between obedience cross-cultures suggesting that a nature explanation underpins obedience to a certain extent.
Answer
This research points to a biological basis in obedience, yet cultural upbringing also plays a role, highlighting that both nature and nurture interact in shaping behavior.
Step 9
Migram’s variations show differences in obedience and conformity, based on the social context.
Answer
His studies demonstrated that situational factors (nurture) influence obedience levels, showing that individuals behave differently based on their societal context, thus illustrating the importance of nurture.
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