The Overpowering Nature of Nurture

The Overpowering Nature of Nurture Our first impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment, which means that we can change our first impressions by changing the experiences that comprise those impressions. (Gladwell, 2005, p.97). We are, to a certain extent, the person we are, but the reality is that for reasons unknown to us, there are just certain people with which we do not click. It may be ground into our genes or it may have been structured into our thoughts and beliefs by the environment. The same goes for our own first impressions. We are naturally going to look a certain way or have a certain talent that gets peoples attention, but we still have the ability to change, at least partially, the first impression we show other people. There is no doubt that genetics determine a part of who we are as individuals, but nature is not the key component when considering who we become, since, as humans, we, through our social experiences and moral development, are constantly being shaped by the world in which we are surrounded. Every person is born into this world an individual and it is those initial seconds and minutes after we are born that show the importance nature. Jensen (2005) states, All humans are unique because of both prenatal differences and postnatal experiences (p.113). Our prenatal differences are significant because they determine our genes and the way our brain and body form. For example, both my parents have blue eyes and I also have blue eyes. I was also not born with any diseases or addictions because my mother took good care of her body when she was pregnant with me. My dad and my siblings have been diagnosed with ADD in the last couple years. While I have not been diagnosed, I do believe that I have it as well, at least at a minimal level or at a level Ive learned to control naturally over the years. All of these factors are things that I have no control over; they are what nature has put together for me in my biological make-up. Another biological factor that many people consider is intelligence. According to Gladwell (2008), some people are born with a high level of analytical intelligence which is the type of intelligence measured by I.Q. tests. Oddly, enough, intelligence has a threshold (Gladwell, 2008, p.80). Therefore, despite the amount of intelligence a person is born with, the rest of that persons intelligence, the intelligence that allows us have things like street smarts, is actually learned; it is at this point that the value of nurture comes into play. Nurture is critical when considering the person we each become. After all, our moral development and social experiences are interlinked and both impact the way things turn out for us and various points in our lives. According to Carol Gilligan and Lawrence Kohlberg, moral development happens in a variety of stages. The stage someone actually progresses to will then vary depending on the experiences and opportunities provided. Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development has six stages and I feel that I am currently between level three and five on his scale, probably depending on the situation (Crain, 1985). In terms of the Heinz dilemma, I agree that the wife should be saved even if it means going against the law to do it. I also know that if I were the druggist, I would not want the death of the wife on my conscious, knowing I could save her. The theory Carol Gilligan created involves three stages, of which I feel I have, in most situations, progressed to the final stage of post-convention al (Hurst, 2013). Interestingly enough, I would credit my higher level of morality to a combination of a religious upbringing, a traditional family life, having to endure the death of my mom, and a sound confidence in myself. It is these social experiences that have helped me understand that while it is important for me to take care of myself, it is also important to consider the needs of others. This understanding of ones own moral development is a contributing factor for the level of success a person can achieve in addition to their social experiences. Malcolm Gladwell emphasizes the influence of an individuals social experiences and upbringing or cultural environments; he states, the values of the world we inhabit and the people we surround ourselves with have a profound effect on who we are and shape the patterns of our achievement in ways we cannot begin to imagine (2008, p.11, 19). My level of responsibility for myself and my family, the supportive environment of friends and family I possessed growing up, and the way I was taught to handle various situations have all affected me in where Ive ended up and how I am today. In agreement with Gladwell (2008), Trish Nicholls, who studied the theories of Lev Vygotsky, states, Culture provides the basic orientations that stucture the behavioural environment of the self (1998, par.10). I am lucky enough to say that I do feel successful at this point in my life, but without the culture I was and am currently surrounded by, I dont believe I would have been able to achieve what I have so far. For example, if my parents did not value higher education and travel, and were not veterans, my years after high school may have been significantly different. I would not have had college paid for by the government and I may not have chosen to spend the money I made working traveling. Without the travel opportunities presented to me at my university, I would not value the things I have or see the world with a global perspective. I also would probably not have as much drive to improve our education system because I wouldnt have had any recognition of how it could be better or what else exists in the world. Vygotsky discusses a zone of proximal development that describes each person as having the potential for greatness, but he also emphasizes why scaffolding and our environment ar e so critical in helping a person become great (Nicholls, 1998). All in all, our social experiences and the nurturing that takes place in our life do affect who we become. It is commonly known that life and who a person becomes is the product of the decisions and path taken along the way. Gladwell (2008) describes successful people in the following way, It is not the brightest who succeed [nature]à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Nor is success simply the sum of the decisions and efforts we make on our own behalf. It is, rather, a gift. Outliers are those who have been given opportunities-and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them [nurture] (p.267). A large part of the decisions a person makes in their life relates directly to his/her moral development and the experiences he/she has. The reality, though, is that talent, a high I.Q. or the presentation of fantastic opportunities is simply not enough; people must take a combination of everything they are given and use what they know to perfect their first impression of who they really are. After all, we only have one first impression to give. References Crain, W. C. (1985). Theories of Development (pp. 118-136). N.p.: Prentice-Hall. Retrieved from http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm Gladwell, M. (2005). Blink. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers. New York, NY: Back Bay Books. Hurst, M. (2013). Carol gilligans theory of moral development. In Education Portal. Retrieved March 20, 2014, from http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/carol-gilligans-theory-of-moral-development.html#lesson Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Nicholl, T. (1998). Vygotsky. In Mathematics education: Constructivism: Vygotsky and the internet. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.massey.ac.nz/~alock/virtual/trishvyg.htm

Many Forms of Plagiarism :: Cheating Writing Education Essays

Many Forms of Plagiarism missing works cited One of the main goals of teachers everywhere is to guide their students to write in a narrative style that carries the reader along logically. Their job is to teach writing skills to enhance this and to help them along their learning journey. In most cases, this begins at an early age with the typical, â€Å"What I did on my summer vacation† story that almost everyone wrote every September in Grammar School. Slowly but surely, the stories got longer and as time did not permit in the classroom, they were being assigned homework. Once the student was out of the watchful eye of the teacher, control over how a student’s story was written was lost. If a student isn’t too imaginative, or is lazy, or waits until the last minute and panics, he or she may look at an alternative way of doing a paper as opposed to doing it themselves. They could have a friend write it, get one from someone in a similar course or, now in the age of the computer simply download one in a matter of seconds. All these dishonest methods of obtaining a paper are forms of plagiarism. It’s when you sign your name to someone else’s work, either in full or in part and there can be severe consequences. To combat the increasing ease of committing plagiarism, educators have had to become just as innovative as their students. Plagiarism exists throughout the educational life of students. It is kind of a test to the student to not participate in this illegal and immoral activity. Though this is a tough challenge to resist, it will make you a better student if you don’t cheat. Not only will this resistance make you a better student; it will ultimately make you a better person later on in your life. This will be the case when you get a career in which you will be responsible to make your own decisions, without the aid of any help. Most jobs no matter what they are, require some type of independent work. If someone plagiarizes throughout their life they will be in a lot of trouble once they get out of University by being unable to perform their job on their own. Plagiarism exists in many forms. The following are examples of plagiarism cases according to Brock University.

Emerson and Individualism

Why do some humans succumb to peer pressure and so desperately want to be a part of the popular crowd? Clearly, those who apply such behavior to their daily lives lose their sense of self-being and mold to the ideas, behaviors, and opinions of the masses. Although some people still conform, a large movement towards the Individual has begun to make an appearance.The successful beings of our society appear to think for themselves as well as participate in their own beliefs. This tribute of our modern society today reflects the philosophy of Emerson: individualism. We decide our own fate based on our individual actions and decisions. By not conforming to the Ideas of others. Each person can reach their fullest potential happiness and contribute to society at a higher level. At one point in my high school career, I did anything and everything to fit In with the â€Å"popular† girls of my class.Every day, I worried that they would not like my outfit or that I would say something s tupid. I constantly felt as If I were walking in a room full of broken glass, trying to avoid sharp shards with every step I took. It was not until this year that I realized what a folly I had participated in these last two years when a group of girls at my lunch table said nasty things about one of their friends when she left the table. At this point on, I decided I would find new friends.I didn't choose friends In any particular formed group, only those who I enjoyed spending time around. This action granted me the power to be an individual. I fear no judgment of my beliefs nor my opinions and when I participate In any event, gossip, or beliefs, they are on my own accord, not to impress anyone, but to fulfill my peppiness of which I can only fulfill by being myself, an Individual. Another place to be an individual today is In one's college applications. Upon visiting Princeton and several other schools of highly sought after education.I came home with the knowledge that the admiss ion offices at these schools want to see a personality of each Individual and see this personality reflected in one's activity choices throughout one's high school career. When applying too highly ranked school, it is necessary in today's day and age to incorporate individualism Into one's fife so one can stand out in their applications and have success in admittance so one can pursue the lifestyle of one's beliefs and hopes and use the education received to contribute what one Is capable of to society.Lastly, the interests and choice of daily actions of one's life creates an individual. In centuries past, one who found Interest and had knowledge on topics unknown to all were shunned. Today, people seek out uncommon hobbies and interests to lead a more Interesting life than their friends, their coworkers, or next-door neighbors. Some choose to skydive while others dive into a world of romantic historic foreign films. I myself find a great Interest In the cultural histories of other nations as well as 1 OFF a love tort unusual toots such as sushi , liver pate, and escargot.Each person who can call one's self an individual today has interests and participates in activities that define who he or she is. Emerson philosophy that focused upon the individual is present in our modern world. Many people have come to adopt this philosophy and apply it to their lifestyles. No longer does the common opinion influence and affect a majority of the masses. Will the increase in the use of technology lead to the loss of individualism in the future years to come?

Karl Marxs Communist Manifesto and the Industrial...

Karl Marxs Communist Manifesto and the Industrial Proletariat Karl Marxs Communist Manifesto was most appealing to and revolutionary for the industrial workers of 1848 (and those to come after that time). The call for unification of the proletariat and abolishment of the Bourgeoisie was an urgent one during a time of rapid progress in all aspects of industrial life. This urgency of The Communist Manifesto and the desire for change of political ideologies (to match the exponential rate of progress of wealth and industry) created not only a spate of revolutions, but a long lasting change in political ideas for industrialized European nations. The Communist Manifesto created a sense of unity and class awareness throughout the†¦show more content†¦For example, in the Saddler Committee report of 1832 (which aimed to investigate factory labor practices in England) the interviewee is asked how they (the workers) managed to remain alert and attentive at their machine. The worker responded They strapped us many times, when we were not quite rea dy to be doffing the frame when it was full.(5) In response to another question about the former workers destroyed appetite, he responds It destroyed the appetite, and I became so feeble, that I could not cross the floor unless I had a stick to go with; I was in great pain, and could find no ease in posture. (5). This excerpt form the Saddler Committee is but one case of a worker crippled by labor, rather than a laborer benefiting from the fruits of his trade. Marxs vision of Communist society offers the depraved with the hopeful message that in Communist society, accumulated labor is but a means to widen, to enrich, to promote the existence of the laborer. (4). The Communist Manifesto recognized poor labor conditions and overall quality of life and suggested directly to the proletariat that they were a class capable of changing (if unified). 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