Brain-Behavior and Nature-Nurture Two Interacting...

Brain-Behavior and Nature-Nurture: Two Interacting Scientific Debates Whether there is more behind human behavior than can be explained solely by neural phenomena has been the subject of much time-worn scientific and philosophical debate. In regards to this question, two primary classes of alternative explanations come to mind: the human soul and the environment. The former of these involves a possible internal, individualistic force guiding behavior beyond the guides provided by the brain; many feel that the topic of the human soul is best left in the realm of the philosophical. Environmental influences on behavior, however, are quite pertinent to scientific investigations into the brain/behavior dichotomy. Whether and to what extent†¦show more content†¦What exactly do these roughly sixty thousand (there are around 100,000 genes in the human genome) genes specify? Some encode structural proteins which find their form in macrostructures such as the hypothalamus or the frontal cortex as well as microstructures such as neurons. Others of these genes specify functional proteins which comprise the classes of enzymes and hormones so essential for neural functioning. That the large majority of an individual’s inherited genetic material stipulates pathways for brain development may not impress the nurturists in this debate. After all, the brain is also the body’s greatest recipient of ATP, oxygen, and many ions; it is simply a demanding organ, and understandably so, given all that it affords the rest of the body. The relationship between genes and the brain can be looked at in a different light, however. For not only is sixty percent of the genome dedicated to the brain, but one hundred percent of the brain was specified by the genome. This point cannot be stressed enough in the nature-nurture debate, as it has tremendous implications for the school of thought known as genetic behaviorism. The genetic-behavioral model argues that â€Å"genes are the most important factor affecting both our health and behavior, but that the way in which genes express themselves is influenced by the conditions in which we live† (4). In a neurobi ological sense, this means that anShow MoreRelatedGender as a Complex Causal Cascade2390 Words   |  10 Pagesinclude cascades of biological influences, family influences, peer influences, cultural and social influences, and influences originating from the individuals own ongoing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Among the biological and genetic factors listed in Figure 1.1 are genes, prenatal sex hormones and brain organization, ongoing genetic and hormonal effects across the life span, hormonal and physical changes of puberty, and the biological processes of childbirth and parenthood. 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