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1. The authors of our text book pose that neither nature nor nurture is responsi

ID: 3444236 • Letter: 1

Question

1. The authors of our text book pose that neither nature nor nurture is responsible for the differences in people. "Biology matters, gender matters, society matters, and they all work together to make us the people we are" (p. 56). Based on what you read as well as your own experiences, do you agree? Why or why not?

2. In the beginning of chapter 3, the authors introduce the concept of "sexual dismorphism" and conclude that humans have relatively few differences between us sexually when compared to creatures like the anglerfish. The authors cite Dorothy Sayers as saying "Women are more like men than anything else in the world" (p. 36). Can you think of 2-3 characteristics that all humans share and that differ very little no matter what one's gender identity is?

Explanation / Answer

Social psychology is one unique field which is a right blend of biology, sociology and psychology. For hundreds of years, it was believed that the character traits and behaviors of a person were attributed to their genes, the nature theory. Later, they were attributed to the environment where one grew, the nurture theory. Today, Social Psychology looks at a holistic approach by including the nature and nurture theory. While genes play a role in deciding the primary characteristics of a person, the environment where one grows and the learning one gains in academic disciplines can alter one’s personality and outlook of the world to a great extent.

I was very shy and feel guilty when I don’t do something better. When I entered in to the academic set-up, I had an opportunity to mingle with different people and learn different theories and practices about personality and society, I started changing my attitude and preconceived notions that I carried about other people.

Sexual dimorphism is the difference in appearance among the same species. The first similarity in the physical appearance in male and female is that both have same organs except the reproduction organs and genitals. Both men and women have almost the same developmental cycle and the emotions and feelings are similar to both men and women. The size and shape are almost common with mild differences.