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Issues and debates: nature and nurture

Edexcel IAL Psychology · WPS04 Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills

Spec 9.3.7: the role of both nature and nurture in psychology. It appears across the course: aggression (Topics C and D), development and the nature of mental health (Topic H). The June 2025 paper set a 20-mark essay on nature and nurture (8 AO1, 12 AO3).

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The debate

Evidence across the course

TopicNature evidenceNurture evidence
AggressionBrendgen et al. (2005): physical aggression mainly genetic; MAOA; Raine et al. brain differencesBrendgen: social aggression mainly environmental; SLT and Bandura
SchizophreniaGottesman and Shields (1966): 42% MZ vs 9% DZ; dopamineMZ concordance not 100%; expressed emotion predicts relapse
Depression and anorexiaHolland et al. (1984): 56% MZ vs 7% DZ; serotoninBecker et al. (2002) TV in Fiji; Beck's schemas from childhood
PhobiasPossible evolved readiness to fear some thingsWatson and Rayner (1920) conditioned fear
AttachmentSecure attachment most common across cultures (possibly innate)Insecure types vary by culture

Writing a 20-mark essay

Higher-scoring answers (June 2025 examiners):

1. Explain a theory or study (AO1).

2. Say what it means for nature versus nurture.

3. Challenge it with evidence from the other side.

4. Make a judgement in each paragraph, then overall.

Answers that only listed studies without linking them to the debate scored poorly. 8 marks are AO1 and 12 are AO3, so most of the essay should be evaluation.

Implications: if aggression were purely nature, people might be seen as less responsible, raising socially sensitive issues (9.3.11); nurture explanations suggest prevention through changing environments.

Worked example

Write a judgement paragraph on nature and nurture using Brendgen et al. (2005).

  1. AO1: Brendgen et al. studied 6-year-old twins rated by peers and teachers.
  2. Physical aggression showed a mainly genetic pattern (MZ correlation nearly double DZ), but social aggression was mainly environmental.
  3. Link: so 'aggression' is not one thing; nature and nurture contribute differently to different types.
  4. Judgement: this supports an interactionist view rather than either extreme.

Answer: Evidence, link to the debate, judgement.

Key idea: Nature (genes, brain, neurotransmitters) vs nurture (learning, family, culture). Evidence: twin studies (Gottesman and Shields; Holland; Brendgen) vs learning and culture (Watson and Rayner; Becker; SLT). Interactionism and diathesis-stress fit best. 20-mark essays: 8 AO1, 12 AO3, judgements throughout.

Check yourself

  1. In the June 2025 20-mark nature and nurture question, 8 marks were AO1. How many were AO3?
    Show answer

    12 marks. 20 - 8 = 12.

  2. What does the diathesis-stress model propose?
    • Behaviour is caused only by genes
    • An inherited vulnerability interacts with environmental stress to cause a disorder
    • Behaviour is caused only by learning
    • Stress has no effect on mental health
    Show answer

    An inherited vulnerability interacts with environmental stress to cause a disorder. Interactionist.

  3. Which study provides the strongest evidence for nurture?
    • Gottesman and Shields (1966)
    • Holland et al. (1984)
    • Raine et al. (1997)
    • Watson and Rayner (1920)
    Show answer

    Watson and Rayner (1920). Fear was learned through conditioning.

  4. What did Brendgen et al. (2005) conclude about social aggression?
    • It was mainly environmental
    • It was entirely genetic
    • It did not exist in children
    • It was caused by dopamine
    Show answer

    It was mainly environmental. Physical aggression was mainly genetic; social aggression mainly environmental.

  5. Holland et al. found 56.3% MZ and 7.1% DZ concordance for anorexia (both to 1 decimal place). How many percentage points higher was MZ concordance? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
    Show answer

    49.2 percentage points. 56.3 - 7.1 = 49.2.

  6. Explain why most psychologists take an interactionist view of nature and nurture.
    Show answer

    Evidence shows both matter: for example MZ twins have higher concordance for schizophrenia than DZ twins, suggesting genes, but concordance is not 100%, so environmental factors must also play a role.. Evidence for genes plus incomplete concordance shows both matter.

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Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.