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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
– Nelson Mandela

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Week 6 Participation

Week 6 Participation

Q What do you think of Sociobiology and the nature vs. nurture debate (see below). Do we do things because we are biologically predisposed or culturally trained? For example, are my kids naturally considerate of others, OR did I train them to behave this way. What if I didn't train them to have table manners? Scientists are really interested in this type of behavior which they call altruism. When you see the below videos on Altruism what does it make you think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS-QLB8ELykLinks to an external site. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-eU5xZW7cULinks to an external site. What do you think this means for the nature versus nurture debate? And lastly, has this class changed the way you think about the debate? [This also may help with your Science Project on altruism]

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There is generally a balance between nature and nurture. By nature we are driven by our instincts to find a partner to share life with and grow. By that extension we are prompted to produce offspring and expand our heritage and gene pool. In contrast to that we are culturally trained to emphasize these nature born characteristics. We know that we must provide for our family, and how do we do that? It's no longer by way of being hunter gatherers (in most societies), but rather going to school and getting a good education so that we can have a well paying career.