Applying the Nature-Nurture Controversy
Imagine you are a biopsychology instructor. One of your students asks you whether depression is physiological or psychological. What would you say?
Next, a student asks whether intelligence is inherited or learned... Now, you know that nature-or-nurture thinking about intelligence is sometimes used as an excuse for racial discrimination. How can the interactionist view, which has been championed in Chapter 2, be used as a basis for arguing against discriminatory practices in the workplace?
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When it comes to intelligence, while genetics play an important role in terms of cognitive potentials - everyone has different inherited neurological capacities - environment plays an equally significant role in how those capacities are utilized over time. The interactionist view emphasizes the importance of context and experience on shaping behavior and cognition; rather than relying too heavily on nature or nurture thinking alone when assessing someone's intelligence level. This perspective supports fair hiring practices based on merit – where employees are evaluated for their actual knowledge, skills, abilities – rather than any perceived notions about race or background.