Nurture Overcoming Nature through Choice

The concept of nature (influence of heredity) and nurture (influence of environment) has been of great interest throughout the recent years and even centuries.  Starting with a philosophical perspective, the influence and importance of both concepts have been seen as early as the 20^th century.  Both nature and nurture serve to be the main components of a concept known as determinism which argues that punishment nor praise are attributed to the choices of an individual. This concept was created by Robert Blatchford, an English journalist and politician who helped to form the British Labor Party. In Robert Blatchford’s revolutionary essay, he argues that almost every choice that a human being makes or has made can be predetermined by his heredity or by his environment; therefore, that individual can neither be punished nor blamed for his or her choices.  Blatchford emphasizes the importance of both heredity and environment as major influential factors.  Taking this concept a bit further in scientific (non-philosophical) terms, can one of these ideas (nature or nurture) overcome or be of more influence than the other? Can one’s environment possibly have more influence on his life than his heredity or the set nature of his mind?  

In the ground-breaking book, The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist’s Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain, James Fallon seems to think just that; Fallon comments on how his choices in life are a direct result of the overwhelming, positive environment he grew up in.  Even as a child, Fallon had always felt the care and love that his parents had showered upon him.  His mother, having gone through four miscarriages before having him, wanted nothing but a child to love.  Later on, becoming a well-known and greatly accredited neuroscientist, Fallon made a shocking discovery.  In terms of neural activity and brain images, Fallon’s brain seemed to show the same characteristics as the brains of criminals he was simultaneously studying.  When doing genetic tests and ancestral analysis in order to back up his findings, Fallon learned that many of his ancestors had been charged with murder (38).  Fallon found genetic evidence to confirm his findings as well.  Nonetheless, he attributes his non-criminal record and vast success to the nurturing environment he grew up in and to the care he received as a child (227). Fallon argues that his psychopathic brain could have lead him to lead a completely different life, but he never reverts into antisocial or aggressive behavior due to the support he received.

Supporting this same theory, a review published earlier this year in the American Journal of Psychiatry analyzed data from 62 separate studies dealing with the relationship between dementia, certain psychological conditions, and healthy lifestyles.  Researchers found that those with psychiatric symptoms were “more than twice as likely to develop the condition [dementia]” (1).  However, preventive methods were also found.  According to the head author, Dr. Claudia Cooper of University College London, “There are strong links between mental and physical health, so keeping your body healthy can also help to keep your brain working properly” (1).  Evidence towards lifestyle changes completely reducing the risk of dementia is not firmly supported; however, the effective prevention of dementia and other psychiatric conditions through changes in one’s environment and lifestyle has received new light. Whether looking through philosophical theories in the 20^th century, James Fallon’s scientific anecdotes from a few years ago, or mental diagnostic reviews published just last week, continued research may lead to new possibilities in finding out whether nurture has more influence over nature on one’s choices, physical/mental health, and daily life. 

  

References:

Blatchford, R. (1918). Not guilty: A defense of the bottom dog. New York, NY: Boni and Liveright.

Fallon, J. (2013). The psychopath inside: A neuroscientist’s personal journey into the dark side of the brain. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

University College London. (2015, Feb. 20). Diabetes, depression predict dementia risk in people with slowing minds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved Feb. 27, 2015 from: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150220133335.htm

(images: http://mappingignorance.org/fx/media/2013/12/nature-vs-nurture.jpg, http://theglobalconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Jim-Fallon-Photo-1.jpg )