nature 99, nurture 0

[faustin]

The researchers are perfectly comfortable with, and don't mention any suggested conclusions to be drawn from, the fact that they observe variable degrees of self-control and guilt in children as young as age two, and that the variation doesn't show any correlation with parenting methods or styles

Comments

[smandal]

My thoughts on this topic are not very organized, but I offer two:

* There are other observations of a universal human morality based on guilt and self-control.

* In the most widely accepted model of psychopathy, there are two factors: callousness and impulsive social deviance. That is, a lack of guilt and a lack of self-control. Interestingly, they are correlated.

[faustin]

"“It’s remarkable how little cultural variation we have found in developmental patterns of moral reasoning,” says Helwig, who presented his results in Park City, Utah, at the recent annual meeting of the Jean Piaget Society."

---- indeed. Thanks!

[selfishgene]

As with anything it is easier to break than to make. Really bad parents can screw up a child's life. Really good parents may cause minimal improvements over the child's genetic baseline.

[selfishgene]

how do i know what percentage of me is nature/nurture? i think of all the wild thoughts i have and wonder, why am i not more of a psychopath? i think of all the kindness and love that has been given to me by strangers, and how that might have saved me from the screwed up life with zero love my parents offered me.

Interesting

[anonymous]

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[anonymous]

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99% incapable of rewiring

[jemvla]

what if psychopaths are in the majority and are running society! their callousness and social deviance driving them to create WHATEVER social waves they need to satisfy their heartless whims! and their pathetic, caring, parents loving them always and giving them EVERYTHING they need...