Provides an excerpt from 'Memory's Voice: Deciphering the
Mind-Brain Code.' Experience as predominating over genetics in
determining behavior; Role of trauma; Significance of repeated failure;
Influences on individual's view of abilities and self-worth; More.
By
Daniel Alkon, published on March 01, 1993
Nature vs. Nurture
Experience can in some circumstances predominate over genetics in
determining behavior. It is not only trauma that leaves an indelible mark
on human expectations; severe and consistent frustration may be enough to
permanently influence an individual's view of his or her own abilities
and perhaps even self-worth.
"Humans can be conditioned with hopelessly demanding standards of
reinforcement. Such standards were not unfamiliar to me, but it was worse
for my childhood friend Michelle. A parent's praise and acceptance, let
alone tolerance, sometimes depends on performance that tests or exceeds
the limits of a child's abilities. I, at least, won occasional praise.
Michelle could never win. Repeated failure at winning approval teaches
the child that there is no predictable relationship between effort and
reward. What more effective discouragement can there be for future
efforts? No invoking of genetic causes is necessary here. Even a dog
breaks down when faced with problems its brain networks are not designed
to solve.
"Monkeys reared with prolonged periods of separation from their
mothers and/or siblings become irreversibly depressed. They learn to
expect isolation. Their networks respond by reducing behavioral activity
in general and suppressing the drives whose satisfaction defines the
animals' very purpose in life. The results of deprivation are severe
enough to overshadow inherited differences in emotional makeup. Under
these circumstances, nurture takes precedence over nature. It seems only
logical that the same must be true of humans."
Daniel Alkon, M.D., in Memory's Voice: Deciphering the Mind-Brain
Code (Harper Collins).
Tags:
alkon,
childhood friend,
discouragement,
emotional makeup,
friend michelle,
genetic causes,
genetics,
harper collins,
indelible mark,
monkeys,
nature vs nurture,
praise,
precedence,
predictable relationship,
prolonged periods,
purpose in life,
reinforcement
