Expert opinions on the nature vs. nurture debate

[jay gw]

This thread is intended to be a collection of experts opinions on the nature vs. nurture debate. Experts can be anyone in the sciences that's written articles/books on the subject of genetics, sociology, psychology.

Please post an experts opinion with percentages of how much they believe nature influences the individual person. Same with nurture. Post links.

I want to see how much agreement and disagreement there is currently.

No commentary on or interpretation of their ideas is needed.

[andyandy]

Steven pinker "Why nature and nurture won't go away"
http://pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/articles/papers/nature_nurture.pdf

(paraphrased....)

re family upbringing nature/nurture......
"behavorial genetics allows us to distinguish two ways in which the environment affects an individual - shared environment - that which impinges on a person and their siblings alike, and unique environment - that which affects an individual and not necessarily their siblings. Most studies of intelligence turn up few if any effects of the shared environment on behaviour, intelligence or personality."
(p10)



" much of the variance of intelligence, personality and behaviour comes not from the family environment nor from genes. Judith Harris argues it comes from a peer group where one aquires the skills and values required to thrive in a given culture....."
(p11)

but in the nature vs nurture debate we should always keep the following proviso in mind.....

"Genes are affected by their environment, so we need to rethink our casual equation of nature with genes and nurture with everything beyond genes"
(p8)

so i'm not sure if a percentage grading is relevant :)

[Thinktoomuch]

http://www.founders.net/

Found this very interesting. Any comments would be appreciated.