In trying to understand human behaviour, professionals for centuries have looked at the nature vs. nurture theory. While it is known that the physical traits such of eye or hair colour have to do with nature, some strongly believe that genes play a part in the way we behave such as in personality and intelligence and others believe that we behave a certain way solely due to our environment. Professor Jerome Kagan, from Harvard opened up a brand new world and offers a deeper understanding for the way we behave. He pointed out that two-year old Marjorie unlike other children her age started out shy, a tendency he believed she inherited and while it is true that Marjorie cannot change that she is a girl there are certain aspect of her make up that did change due to her environment.
Pediatric psychiatrist, Stanley Greenspan is a strong believer of both nature and nurture playing intricate parts but not independent of each other. Even though one affects the other the saying like father like son is not guaranteed to be true. But we must consider that it is highly possible for that inherited genes can be activated due to external influences. To pinpoint for instance what temperaments are inherited, scientist at Allegheny University, are hard at work and are looking closely at twins for answers. It is a hard and long process because each gene has to be singled out and look at in conjunction with the environment. Those with the dopamine-4 receptor gene are thrill seeker says Greenspan but they can be retrained to behavior otherwise. This is accomplished by giving alternative way of meeting their needs. It is clear to Professor Kagan when he studied 500 children for more than 17 years. He even got to the stage where he could detect signs of shyness in fetuses. His findings did not end there; he further stated that with the right instructions such as encouragement and exposure these children could become sociable and outgoing. His research also showed that 80 percent of previously shy children was able to conquer their shyness.
The Essay on Adoption In China Children Get Lost Another Reason
I watched the video clip presented by Laura A. Cece re entitled, "Saving Girls' Lives: International Adoptions from China." Chinese adoptions help families in many ways. Over the decades, the idea of adoption has changed. Having many children used to be a sign of virtue. The more offspring you have, the more successful you are, because it takes more money. If someone wanted to adopt, the adoption ...
Later on in life will the new programming be in vain is the real question. There are no real data for humans yet but Stephen Suomi from the National Institute of child Health and Human Development has good news. He studied monkeys with the same tendency to shyness as that found in humans and discovered that given the right circumstances and instructions, a shy monkey not only will overcome shyness long-term but can even become a leader. The battle is far from over because her children are in danger if not trained also. Parents are not left without options. They can encourage the behavior they want to draw out. Non smiling babies should be smiled at constantly even in cases where the reason for not smiling is physical says Greenspan.
Too much emphasis is placed on early childhood say Michael Lewis, director of the institute for the study of Child Develop-merit. He went on to say that there are no guarantees that things will turn out fine for those who had pleasant childhood since the environment is constantly changing. Robert Cloninger, a professor of psychiatry and genetics, feels that children cannot be control constantly and with all the research talking place parents should rely on the one tool they have and that is their parental instinct.
Centuries have passed and the debate over nature vs. nurture is still going strong in the field of psychology. Professor Jerome Kagon discovery is somewhat shocking to me but at the same time refreshing. I did not have a set opinion on the two but I use to thing that nurture plays a 100 percent of who we are. I have pondered over the reason for my shyness for years and nothing I have tried in my adult years seemed to pull me out of the pit of shyness. Never did I consider genes. I dread the thought of speaking in public to the point where my body gets cold and I get nauseated. If true, it would be invigorating to know that my shyness is not entirely my fault.
The Essay on Is Daycare Beneficial For Children And Parents?
When you are a child, who takes care of you? Now, the cost of living is so high that many people under age twenty-five are moving back in with their parents. Young people are getting married later now than they used to. The average age for a woman to get married is about twenty-four, and for a man twenty-six. Newly married couples often postpone having children while they are establishing careers. ...
Professor Kagon discovery really shed some light on my family’s situation. I remember my mother refusing to pray out loud in church or even to say a few words in the gathering of her own family. I thought she was just plain stubborn. My mother was and is still shy and my siblings and me carry that shyness. It is visible in the jobs my brother and sisters take. They took jobs that need minimum face to face communication with people and at times I even wondered if I am pursuing in the right career. This they will find interesting because as adults we believe that our shyness is due solely to the facts that as children growing up in Jamaica, West Indies, it was drilled in our heads that children are to be seen and not heard, children have no opinion, children should not voice their feelings, this was viewed as talking back and children can only take part in adult conversation only when they are spoken to. We suffered so much as children and missed out on important activities. I remember wanting to be on the School’s debate team but was too shy to speak. While it is highly possible that shyness has genetic components it is important to realize that the mind can be retrained. Where would I be today if my parents did not provide a strict environment where I learned many life lessons? Because of such upbringing I am extremely strict more than I care to be. Such seriousness is also displayed in my son. An excellent point was made that no child needs to be captive to her genetic blueprint. Such statement is true but it is unfortunate that many children were not given the opportunity to change.
For the first time I am starting to understand my shyness. I now start to look at all the negative traits in me such as my tendency to be moody and wonder if that too could have been inherited. Maybe one day scientist will be able to tell who carries the gene to commit suicide or even kill. This discovery I will further research to gain a deeper understanding.
