Nature Vs Nurture - Epigenetics

1. Early Ideas - Galton and "Nature"

Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911)  was British Psychologist.  In 1865 he began to study heredity, partly brought on by reading his cousin, Charles Darwin's publication Origin of Species (Clayes, 2001). Galton soon discovered that his true passion was studying the variations in human ability. In particular, he was convinced that success was due to superior qualities passed down to offspring through heredity.  His ideas influenced Spearman and Terman, who published the revised Stanford-Binet intelligence test and the eugenics movement.... 

Although Galton is most highly recognized for his heredity studies and his proliferation of eugenics ideology, he also made many other highly notable contributions to the fields of biology, psychology, statistics, and education. Galton is recognized as the "father of behavioral genetics" for his ground laying twin studies where he looked at the differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. His observations and testing approaches led to findings examining the nature versus nurture elements of mental abilities. While he may have led claim to this still widely studied dichotomy, his beliefs weighed heavily on the genetic predisposition to abilities in general. from Dr. Jonathan Plucker (jplucker AT indiana.edu) http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eintell/galton.shtml.

Galton in his book "Englishmen of Science: Their Nature and Nurture" was the first one to coin the phrase Nature vs. Nurture. which was to become the debate over what controlled human behaviour.

Due to Galton, Binet and other early influences, ideas about abilities and chances for success, tended to gravitate towards a biological or genetic component.  In other words, one's nature ( or genes) controlled who and what a person became. Early studies with families and twin studies led to the discussion about the effect of one's environment and upbringing or nurture. 

Thus began the debate know as Nature vs Nurture.  Some views about this are extreme, leaning to one way or another. 

2. Nature Vs Nurture?

Make sure you have completely explored this book to be prepared for your Unit 5 Heredity Project.

What do you think is more important in determining you and your personality? Your Nature (genes) or your Nurture (environment)

3. Types of Studies -Twin studies

Psychologists have tried to prove either the nature or nurture side of the genetics debate.  The types of studies that contribute to further understanding are twin studies and adoption studies.  

This interactive website will help you explore the types of Studies used to determine how much of an influence genetics or environment have.  Make sure you have explored this website to be prepared for your unit 5 project.

In the late 1960's, doctors decided to do a study on identical twin who were separated at birth.  The biological and adoptive parents and children did not not know that they were participating in this type of study.  In 2007,  while searching for her biological mother, one of these children discovered she had been a part of this study and she had a twin.  

Meet Berstein and Schein.  Notice all the things that seem the same about these two even though they had lived in very different environments for 35 years. 

Go to this website to get the background on this case.

This study also sheds some light on the similarities and differences between identical twins.

4. New ideas - Epigenetics Twin studies Nurture

Why is it if identical twins are genetically the same, that they can have different outcomes in their life, such as one developing cancer or having a different personality. Some recent twin studies seem to point to nurture or environment having an effect on physical and personality traits. The following video explains how one twin developed cancer, while her identical sister did not.

Effects of Environment on Genetics and Behaviour
It is now understood that environmental conditions can actually change our genes, giving different outcomes, and in the case of identical twins, make them very different.  This could cause them to have different diseases or psychological diseases

http://study.com/academy/lesson/behavioral-genetics.html

Environmental Control of Genes
Recently, the study of epigenetics has focused our attention on the negative effects of environment on human genes.  In this case, a pair of identical twins are so different, the effect of something on the genes cannot be denied.

5. Nature, Nurture - Where are we now?

Please review these videos, before completing your Unit 5 Heredity Project and making your decision about the relative importance
of nature or nurture on human behaviour and personality.

6. Assignment

Please click on the following link to view instructions for completing your Heredity Project. Remember, for this psychology project about heredity, concentrate more on personality and behavioural traits, than physical ones.

Once completed, label your assignment heredityinfographic_surname and submit to the assignment folder - U5 Heredity Infographic.

All the infographic projects should follow these guidelines:

• Include relevant images or other visuals and references for websites.
• Include your personal opinions and concise explanations about your topic.
• Try to use a template or a large document - such as a poster for your ONE page presentation.
• Show the information in a visual way and maximize your page space with lots of images and information.
• Avoid huge paragraph explanations. Simplify and use picture arrows and
  shapes to help your audience better understand your topic.  (think of them as a digital poster showing what you know and think!)

All the infographic projects should be submitted as a PDF so that they do not lose formatting ( up to half of your marks are related to the "look" and design of your infographic!)  An .rtf file does not contain any graphics, so make sure you save it as a PDF.

If you are creating your assignment in the google drive, save it as a PDF by following these instructions:  Converting a google doc to a PDF.  Submit the PDF file in the assignment folder. 

Watch these short videos to learn how to save as a pdf if you don't know how. Keep in mind that although the procedure will be similar, it often looks sightly different depending on what program and what operating system your computer is using.  Ask your supervisor for help if you are still having trouble.

How to save Word as a pdf...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/x99zwqxV1JM?rel=0

How to save Pages as a pdf...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/PUIHrUgE8jE?rel=0

7. Student Exemplar