Annoted Summay. Culture, Gender, and Other Environmental Influences

Environmental Influences
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Institution
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Environmental Influences
Summary
One thing that stands out in the topic Culture, Gender, and Other Environmental Influences is the simple fact that humanity is made up of both nature and nurture. As is made clear throughout the chapter, ignoring our genetic predisposition while studying behavior and personality leads to more questions than answers. Biology or nature mainly offers an outline or a sketch of who we are or should be. Once we are introduced into the world, nurture then takes control and uses the foundation set by nature to mold us into the culturally conscious individuals we end up being.
While looking at people’s brain development, it is acknowledged that genes offer the foundation upon which nurture through people’s experiences offers an opportunity for language and other necessary aspects of life to develop. It is apparent in the chapter that one’s early experiences influence their brain development greatly. Parenting is listed as one factor that can influence growth and development, as well. However, there is refutation of the notion that parents ought to be praised or castigated for the actions of their children. Aside from parenting, peer groups driven by the feeling or need to fit in a group is also touted as an essential factor in the development of children. However, parents still wield power over their children’s growth because of their supremacy in selecting neighborhoods as well as schools for their children.
Culture also influences behavior and development. Culture denotes ideas, attitudes, behaviors, traditions, and values within the environment that a person grows up in. Countries are considered different, mainly because of cultural diffe...