Is human behaviour shaped by nature or by nurture?
The nature versus nurture debate: the view that behaviour is biologically determined against the sociological view that it is learned through socialisation, with evidence from feral children and cross-cultural differences.
A focused answer on the nature versus nurture debate for WJEC GCSE Sociology: biological versus social explanations of behaviour, the evidence from feral children and cross-cultural differences, and why sociologists stress nurture.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the nature versus nurture debate: whether human behaviour is shaped mainly by our biology (nature) or by our upbringing and society (nurture). You need to explain both sides, give the evidence sociologists use (especially feral children and cross-cultural differences), and explain why sociology stresses nurture while accepting that nature plays some part. This debate is the heart of why sociologists study socialisation.
The two sides of the debate
The evidence for nurture: feral children
The evidence for nurture: cross-cultural differences
The nature case and the usual conclusion
Try this
Q1. What do the cases of feral children suggest about human behaviour? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. They suggest that without socialisation human behaviour does not develop normally, because children raised in isolation could not speak, walk upright or behave in recognisably human ways, supporting the nurture side.
Q2. Explain why cross-cultural differences are used as evidence for nurture. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Behaviour such as gender roles and ideas of beauty varies between cultures; if behaviour were purely biological it would be the same everywhere, so this variation suggests behaviour is learned through socialisation rather than inborn.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC (Component 1)2 marksExplain what is meant by the 'nature versus nurture' debate.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (AO1). Reward a clear definition that names both sides.
Definition. The nature versus nurture debate is the argument about whether human behaviour is shaped mainly by our biology (nature) or by our upbringing and society (nurture).
Development. Sociologists tend to stress nurture, arguing that behaviour is learned through socialisation.
Top marks. A definition that names both sides plus a developed point earns both marks.
WJEC (Component 1)8 marksDiscuss how far human behaviour is shaped by nurture rather than nature.Show worked answer →
A discuss question (AO1, AO2 and evaluation). Reward both sides and a judgement.
The nurture case. Feral children who grew up without human contact could not speak or behave normally, and behaviour such as gender roles varies between cultures, suggesting it is learned.
The nature case. Some behaviour has a biological basis, such as instincts and physical differences, and biologists argue genes influence personality.
Judgement. Most sociologists conclude that nurture is the more powerful influence on social behaviour, while accepting nature plays some part, so the two interact.
Related dot points
- The key sociological concepts of culture, norms, values, roles, status and the difference between ascribed and achieved status, and why these shared ideas hold a society together.
A focused answer on the building-block concepts of WJEC GCSE Sociology: culture, norms, values, roles, status, and the difference between ascribed and achieved status, with clear UK examples.
- The process of socialisation: primary socialisation in the family and secondary socialisation through the agencies of education, peer group, media, religion and the workplace, and how each transmits norms and values.
A focused answer on socialisation for WJEC GCSE Sociology: primary socialisation in the family and secondary socialisation through education, peers, media, religion and the workplace, and the agencies that transmit culture.
- How identity is formed through socialisation: the sources of identity in gender, ethnicity, social class, age, nationality and religion, and how identity can change over time.
A focused answer on identity for WJEC GCSE Sociology: how identity is formed through socialisation, the main sources of identity such as gender, ethnicity, class, age, nationality and religion, and how identity can change.
- Social control through formal agencies such as the police, courts and law, and informal agencies such as the family, peer group and media, working through positive and negative sanctions to maintain social order.
A focused answer on social control for WJEC GCSE Sociology: formal control through the police, courts and law, informal control through the family, peers and media, and how sanctions maintain social order.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Sociology (Wales) specification (C200QS) — WJEC (2017)