Are We Preprogrammed Or Programmable?

In an effort to determine what forces most often influence our perception, many ideas and theories have been offered. Of these, two schools of thought have come to the forefront. Many believe that the primary component determining our perception is instinctive in nature, and passed down by our heredity. Others subscribe to the theory that these traits can be nurtured, and therefore molded by their respective environment. And thus there exists the “Nature versus nurture” controversy that has perplexed psychologists since the birth of modern psychology. As one psychologist, E. Turkheimer eloquently stated,”Virtually all Psychologists accept that both innate factors and experience are needed to provide a complete account of our perceptual abilities,” (Baron 3). So most psychologists are of agreement that both contribute to the overall framework of perception, but which factor weighs more the equation. The arguments for both sides are compelling, and it is no wonder psychologists continually struggle between the two

The “nature vs. nurture” debate is one that has perplexed psychologists since the beginning of modern psychology. With so many factors involved, it may never be resolved.

“Experience alters synapse, either creating new ones or changing the strength of existing ones,” (LeDoux, screen 2). LeDoux feels that in order for synapse to occur correctly, we have to have experience. It is then an obvious certainty that parents play an important role in a child’s personality.

“The assumption that the environment provided by parents has important effects on how their children turn out,” (Harris, screen 2) is the other side of this debate. Author and psychologist Joseph E. LeDoux proves this point in an opinion article titled “Nature vs. Nurture: the Pendulum Still Swings With Plenty of Momentum.” LeDoux shows that synapse, the connection points between brain cells that allows the cells to communicate with each other, are the keys to who that person is.

Adoption studies usually focus on identical twins separated at birth. “Because the twins have identical genes, differences between them wi

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