Nature vs. Nurture theory
In an attempt to clarify things there is another branch of investigation through analysing the psychological portions of his brain- that is the ‘Nature versus Nurture’ theory.
In my words, the Nature vs. Nurture theory is a theory which concerns the nature and emotional characteristics of a person in determining or causing individual differences in physical or behavioural traits.
This brings us back to the question about Albert Einstein: “Was he a genius because of the certain abnormalities in his brain he was physically born with or was it his childhood/upbringing the cause for the person he was?” This theory can be well summarised through looking at a set of twins. For example, let’s imagine there were a set of twins. Both of them were born at the same time, raised with the same parents, attended the same school, had similar friends but were at total opposite ends of the characteristic/personality spectrum, e g. Twin A was an extremely social person while Twin B possessed a quiet, introverted nature. Because they were both raised in the same way throughout their childhood the only explanation of their distinct characteristics and personalities is that these are their ‘born’ behaviours. This particular example stresses the nature side of the theory. Arguably, can the mind account for personality traits?
On the other hand, there is the nurture side. This example must then be of complete opposite of the previous one. Imagine now, a set of twins, both born from the same parents but Twin A was adopted and taken to live in a less civilised, less fortunate town in Africa with parents who do not care about her in anyway while her twin, Twin B was adopted and taken to live in a more civilised, quite fortunate city in Australia like Sydney with parents who cared for her needs and loved her dearly. Twin A therefore would most likely not have access to education/schooling, good accommodation, no basic practices of life, most likely no values of society and in contrast, her sister would have a much better perspective of life through her upbringing. These qualities are emphasised through the specific ways any particular person is brought up.
This is linked back to the study of Albert Einstein’s brain because we can now deduce whether or not his brain was why it was through this Nature vs. Nurture theory.
In my words, the Nature vs. Nurture theory is a theory which concerns the nature and emotional characteristics of a person in determining or causing individual differences in physical or behavioural traits.
This brings us back to the question about Albert Einstein: “Was he a genius because of the certain abnormalities in his brain he was physically born with or was it his childhood/upbringing the cause for the person he was?” This theory can be well summarised through looking at a set of twins. For example, let’s imagine there were a set of twins. Both of them were born at the same time, raised with the same parents, attended the same school, had similar friends but were at total opposite ends of the characteristic/personality spectrum, e g. Twin A was an extremely social person while Twin B possessed a quiet, introverted nature. Because they were both raised in the same way throughout their childhood the only explanation of their distinct characteristics and personalities is that these are their ‘born’ behaviours. This particular example stresses the nature side of the theory. Arguably, can the mind account for personality traits?
On the other hand, there is the nurture side. This example must then be of complete opposite of the previous one. Imagine now, a set of twins, both born from the same parents but Twin A was adopted and taken to live in a less civilised, less fortunate town in Africa with parents who do not care about her in anyway while her twin, Twin B was adopted and taken to live in a more civilised, quite fortunate city in Australia like Sydney with parents who cared for her needs and loved her dearly. Twin A therefore would most likely not have access to education/schooling, good accommodation, no basic practices of life, most likely no values of society and in contrast, her sister would have a much better perspective of life through her upbringing. These qualities are emphasised through the specific ways any particular person is brought up.
This is linked back to the study of Albert Einstein’s brain because we can now deduce whether or not his brain was why it was through this Nature vs. Nurture theory.