Nature vs Nurture

Nature vs. Nurture

“Nature vs. nurture” is a classic debate in the field of psychology and sociology that explores the relative influence of genetics and environment in shaping human behaviour and development. The debate seeks to understand whether our inherent qualities (nature) or our surroundings and experiences (nurture) have a greater impact on who we become as individuals and as social beings.

Man as a Social Being: Humans are inherently social beings, meaning that our interactions with others and our environment play a significant role in our development. From a sociological perspective, the way we behave, think, and perceive the world is influenced by our interactions with family, peers, institutions, and the broader society.

Feral Cases of Amla and Kamala: Amla and Kamala, two girls found in the wild, provide intriguing insights into the nature vs. nurture debate. These cases highlight the importance of both nature and nurture in shaping human behaviour.

1. Amla: Amla was found in a forest in India at the age of around eight. She exhibited animal-like behaviours, walking on all fours and lacking language skills. However, after years of intervention and nurturing, Amla made significant progress in acquiring human traits. Her transformation showed the potential for nurture to overcome early environmental deficiencies.

2.  Kamala: Kamala, discovered in India in the 1920s, was raised by wolves from a very young age. By the time she was found, she had adopted many wolf-like behaviours and lacked language skills. Despite efforts to socialize her, Kamala struggled to fully integrate into human society, indicating the profound impact of early life experiences on social development.

Nature vs. Nurture in these Cases:

1.  Nature: Amla and Kamala’s cases emphasise nature’s importance, as both girls initially displayed behaviours influenced by their early environment. Genetic predispositions and natural instincts played a role in their initial responses to their surroundings.

2.  Nurture: The transformative changes seen in Amla’s case highlight the power of nurture. Education, socialization, and exposure to human interactions contributed to her overcoming early challenges and adapting to human society.

The cases of Amla and Kamala underscore the intricate interplay between nature and nurture in human development. While nature contributes certain innate tendencies, nurture plays a pivotal role in shaping human behaviour through socialization, education, and environmental interactions. Aristotle’s (1992, p. 25) statement, “Man a political animal” reflects his understanding of human nature and its inherent connection to society.