Anne Marice Manaloto Prof Ed 101

Pre- assessment no. 5

What is your position on the following three issues?
1. Nature versus Nurture. Which has a more significant influence on human development,
nature or nurture? Nature refers to an individual’s biological inheritance. Nurture refers
to environmental experiences.
In my own opinion, I can say that both nature and nurture have a great factor on human
development. A human body through genetic predisposition can contribute to a person’s unique
physical appearance, such as facial features, color of the eyes, hair, complexion, height and many
more. For example, a Filipino woman with an Indian husband can have a child with a feature of
an Indian. You can easily recognize that a child has a mix nationality. Furthermore, many
environmental variables that can affect a person, includes their experiences in culture and
community. early childhood, family, social relationship, culture and community. For example, an
Indian national baby who was born and raise in the Philippines can adapt and apply Filipino
culture and practices on daily life like the mano or giving respect to an elderly, and the use of po
and opo.
2. Continuity versus Discontinuity. Does development involve gradual, cumulative change
(continuity) or distinct changes (discontinuity). To make it more concrete, here is a
question: Is our development like that of a seedling gradually growing into an acacia
tree? Or is it more like that of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly?
Human develop physically in various phases. For me, human development is like of a seed
that gradually growing into an acacia tree. Like a seed, a person bloom from infancy to young
adult and there is an evident change on facial features, lengthening of the limbs, and growing of
the body. However, it may decrease during adulthood but the changes are still going on. There
are some obvious changes on skin, vision and reproductive capability. To elaborate, skin will
become less elastic, hair color turns to grey, woman reaches the menopause that cause them not
to bear a child. To sum up, human development is like an acacia tree, though the progress may
be gentle but it is continuous.
3. Stability vs Change. Is development best described as involving stability or as involving
change? Are we what our first experiences have made of us, or do we develop into
someone different from we were at an earlier point in development?
In development psychology, stability is the idea that personality traits remain stable over a
person’s lifetime. Meanwhile, changes are the idea that personality can shift over time as a result
of one’s life experiences. I believe that personality traits continued to shift over time based on
interaction with family, friends and experiences in life. One of the best example here is the life of
famous boxer, Mr. Manny Pacquio. He lives in abject poverty until he learns the sports boxing.
Overtime, the challenges and hardship on his trainings and some times defeat changes him as a
person. It changes his views of life, he became more mature, responsible and family oriented
man. To put in a nutshell, an event in our life can somehow modify our character and traits.

Post assessment no 5.
Relate what you learned here to your personal development. Reflect on your own personal
development. What has helped you become the person that you are now? Is what you have
become a product of the mere interaction of heredity and environment? Or is what you have
become a product of both heredity and environment interacting and what you have decided
or determined yourself to become? (Self- determination or freedom is a third factor).
Write your reflection on this matter by making a write- up following the format of Six (6) Facets
of Understanding.
Both society and environment have an important role on human decision making. In
society people surrounded with you everyday can influence your thinking, behavior and
perspective in life. As well as your environment, it can change your mood and behavior. That is
why I can say that what I am right now is the product of society and environment when I am
belong.
To illustrate, there was a young boy who lived in a poor place who was adopted by a rich
family. He has no idea and interest on schooling. The married couple have children who is fond
on reading and studying. They noticed that the boy does not have any interest on what they are
doing. They started to approached him and show all their books and reading materials. At first,
he was hesitant and showing no interest. But later on, since he is seeing his two siblings reading
and enjoying on what they are doing, he started to like it. He had a hard time at first, but due to
the consistency and encouragement of his two siblings, he started to learn a lot and go to school.
The constancy on his environment, and the effort of his two sisters help him to love studying and
become a better person. Thus, environment has a huge impact on our growth.
Let me elaborate more by giving an example, when I was a kid I really want to become a
teacher. I know that being a teacher is a life time commitment, you have to have a patience and
perseverance. I admit that I am not a genius type of students, but with the diligent and
dedication, I know that I can pursue a teaching profession. I believe that I acquire those traits
from my parents, because they are eager and dedicated person. However, a long the way, I was
inspired by my Aunt. She is a medical professional and I was admired on how she wore her white
uniform and with her different stories about her work in the hospital. Since then, I have changed
my dreams of becoming a teacher to become a nurse. Those traits from my parents and the
influenced of my Aunt determined on what I am right now.
 According to the research of PsyInfo (2016), the struggle between the biologist and the
social scientist over the exclusive importance of hereditary and environment in the development
of individuality is fertile. Hereditary and environment instead of being opposed are both merged
in the concept of developmental processes. All structure is function structuralized in the process
of adaptation to environmental situations. The individual is a product of phylogeny and ontogeny.
Phylogenesis includes selection and differentiation, and ontogenesis includes gestation,
parturition and socialization.
To the person who was influenced with their environment on what they have become still
have their choice for their future. For example, a child who are intelligent but live in a very poor
area wherein her family does not have the capacity to send her school, can still make a difference.
If he really wants to pursue his study, many organization and local governments are offering a
scholarship. Her surrounding is not a hindrance to follow his dreams.
In conclusion, a person’s personality can be influence by both genetic and environmental
variable. Hereditary established the boundaries within while environmental differences
determine the final outcome. Personal qualities, on the other hand are more influenced by
genetic factors. It may be demonstrated that inherited factors have a greater impact on
personality than family environment.