ABSTRACT
The question of the relative importance of nature or nurture is a theme that runs throughout this book. Whether people arrive with ready-formed personalities, or are primarily influenced by nurture and experiences, has been debated as far back as records begin. In the post-war period many argued that humans are ‘blank slates’ who could be moulded by parents and others (Pinker, 2002). An opposing view is that genes rather than parents are the main influence on children’s development (Harris, 2009). Both views are too simplistic and we now know that neither nature nor nurture is dominant. Children are born with different temperaments and genetic endowments, and if 100 children are subjected to similar influences then each will respond in different ways. Yet we will still see common patterns emerge. For example, children reared in poor-quality orphanages, who receive little human contact, are less likely than most to develop good language skills, to build secure attachments, or to have a strong understanding of the minds and emotions of others.
