Thursday, August 9, 2007

Nature vs Nurture, Learning vs Instinct

Learning vs Instinct (sometimes characterised as Innateness vs Learning, or Genes vs Environment, etc). People, again, things are NOT THIS SIMPLE. The above is a false dichotomy. There are extremely inflexible learnt behaviours, for instance. And then there's epigenetics, the inheritence of genetic changes due to environmental cues... Probe a little deeper and stop vascillating between two extremes, both of which are wrong. Matt Ridley's NATURE VIA NURTURE might be a good place to start

60 comments:

Lance Abel said...

It's not as simple as instinct = that produced by genes, of course.
Nor is learning dependent only upon what the environment is like.

But instinct/learning and genes/environment are related debates.
For example, if dogs and humans are born with certain different instincts that become apparent from a very early age, then this is due to genetics. Or, say, the instinct of the kangaroo when born to crawl away from the pouch toward mother's mouth.

Various people claim that more or less of our behaviours and abilities are 'instinctual', genetically determined traits that become manifest without any learning or priming from the environment. There are various more technical and precise ways of stating this, though, so if I'm not being clear here, let me know.

I'm not sure about "imprinted memories", though. WHat I was referring to when I mentioned epigenetics is the occurence of events in the environment which activate or deactivate genes in an organism, many of which will stay in their new state in the offspring of that organism.

Lance Abel said...

You don't really believe in instincts??
Wtf, that's extremely...radical, and I have to say, I think that statement is absurd. I'm really surprised to hear it.

Animals display so many millions of behaviours they couldn't possibly have learnt from any other animal. Evidence for instincts abounds.
Yes, I've raised animals from birth before...for example, without seeing another dog do this, my dog instinctively chases and attacks small prey.

Learning is a good way of discovering how to do something, but learning by itself will not always allow a species to survive. It is simply not efficient enough under many circumstances, so animals need some instincts hardwired in.

Lance Abel said...

On a side note, I find it interesting to note that us humans are often often called the learning species, because we remain dysfunctional until quite a late age.

When a chimp is born, it can pretty much immediately move about effectively and starts exploring with things.

Lance Abel said...

Huh?
You seem to acknowledge in one breath that, yes, we have instincts...and in another, deny this. I'm more than a little confused.

You say things like "young are naturally curious and playful"... and "because that's just what they do..."
And...
NO, NO, NO, the things you mention, can't be put ascribed to learning. Do you also think the thirst for water was learnt?

Lance Abel said...

You really ought to also consider more generally how difficult it would be to survive if everything had to be learnt. Doing so might make your hypothesis that all is learnt seem to be extremely improbable.

It's really not difficult to see why creatures born with structures in their brain which direct their earlier activities at least until they've had time to learn more have a significant evolutionary advantage over those that learn everything at the start

Anonymous said...

I find chipazoid's discourse catty, dismissive and condescending. Disregarding all the scientific evidence indicating that many animals do, in fact, have "instincts" (innate knowledge) seems extremely irresponsible. For instance, in one experiment a male sickleback fish was raised apart from any other of its kind. It attacked pieces of wood with painted red bottoms because it looked like other male sicklebacks. This fish did not learn from other sicklebacks that this was the appropriate behavior, nor did it have any provocation that would cause it to attack (it's a stationary piece of wood, obviously not a threat nor food). Also, if you rear a white-crowned sparrow in isolation, it will still sing a similar song. How does it know? It didn't learn it from anything else. Some species of antelope learn to run (before walk) immediately after birth as a defense mechanism against predators. Unless every single baby was being attacked right away, there would be no need for this characteristic to appear so uniformly throughout the species. Babies wouldn't know fear. By implying that they would, you are admitting the existence of instinct. These are just a few of the vast examples of instinct throughout nature. They are not characteristics exhibited to meet physiological needs, they are idiosyncratic behaviors that give these animals an edge to survive. You can try to rationalize this all you want but the evidence speaks against you. Not every case of birth instinct can be written off as "well don't you think the baby was just sitting around and figured out the key to survival?"

Anonymous said...

good day bros. I'm really into shoes and I had been looking for that exact model. The prices as regards the boots were approximately 170 dollars everwhere. But completely I bring about this area selling them as a remedy for half price. I exceptionally want these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]prada sneakers[/url]. I will probably order these. what can you tell me about these?

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Anonymous said...

good morning friends. I'm actually into shoes and I have been digging for the sake of that meticulous make. The prices seeking the shoes are around 180 dollars everwhere. But completely I set this area selling them someone is concerned half price. I exceptionally want these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will absolutely order them. what do you think?

Anonymous said...

hello people. I'm honestly into shoes and I had been searching allowing for regarding that particular brand. The prices for the boots were around 300 dollars on every page. But completely I base this area selling them for half price. I in reality want these [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will absolutely order those. what can you say about it?

Anonymous said...

hi there people. I'm actually into shoes and I had been looking for that singular make. The prices seeking the shoes are about 220 dollars everwhere. But for all I bring about this locate selling them as a remedy for half price. I really like those [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]gucci sneakers[/url]. I will absolutely order them. what can you say about it?

sexy aunt stories said...

She calledover her shoulder, You were supposed to hang up when I startedtalking. ``I dont know if thats such a good idea.
rape xxx stories
free girl dog bestiality stories
guys masturbation stories
sexy mom stories
free sex stories and pictures
She calledover her shoulder, You were supposed to hang up when I startedtalking. ``I dont know if thats such a good idea.

teen lesbian sex stories said...

My mind found its own peace in a very pleasant dream, where Melvinwas shaking the bed, but this Melvin was six feet tall and built likea lumberjack. ``Thats fine, Mrs.
nonconsensual interracial cuckold stories
children animal sex stories
stories about beastiality
public hot tub sex stories
more masturbation stories
My mind found its own peace in a very pleasant dream, where Melvinwas shaking the bed, but this Melvin was six feet tall and built likea lumberjack. ``Thats fine, Mrs.

Anonymous said...

This site was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something that helped me. Appreciate it!

My homepage; Christian Louboutin Online Store

Anonymous said...

Hi there Dear, are you genuinely visiting this website daily, if so after that you will without doubt obtain pleasant know-how.


Feel free to visit my homepage :: coachhandbagsoutletshop2013.com

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its good conversation regarding this paragraph
here at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting at this place.


Here is my web site :: シャネル バッグ

Anonymous said...

I feel that is among the so much important info for
me. And i am happy studying your article. But should observation on few common things, The website
taste is ideal, the articles is really excellent : D. Excellent job, cheers

Review my website - シャネル アウトレット

Anonymous said...

hey there and thank you for your info – I've certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using this web site, since I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I'm complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often
affect your placement in google and could damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I'm adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look out for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Make sure you update this again very soon.

my site :: www.caravancurtains.com.au

Anonymous said...

Thanks very nice blog!

Feel free to visit my weblog: http://www.linkstranslation.com

Anonymous said...

Hello! I just wish to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you
have got here on this post. I am returning to your site for more soon.


Here is my web page :: www.guccihandbagsxx.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, I read your new stuff daily. Your humoristic style
is awesome, keep up the good work!

Here is my web blog グッチ バッグ

Anonymous said...

There's certainly a great deal to know about this subject. I love all the points you made.

my homepage miumiuoutletshop2013.com

Anonymous said...

Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i
read this article i thought i could also make comment due
to this good paragraph.

Feel free to visit my web-site: http://vacuforming.trade-buyer.net

Anonymous said...

Great post.

Check out my webpage - グッチ

Anonymous said...

It's great that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from our argument made at this place.

My homepage :: チ 財布

Anonymous said...

We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be grateful to you.

Here is my webpage グッチ バッグ

Anonymous said...

I read this article completely regarding the comparison of most up-to-date and
earlier technologies, it's remarkable article.

Take a look at my web site - miumiuoutletshopx.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I'll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they'll be benefited from
this website.

Also visit my site :: クロエ

Anonymous said...

。昨年、ケシキャメルスエードホ
ーボーハンドバッグは簡単に毎
日の摩耗のため
に使用することができます。これは彼らの手作りライトブラウンホーボーショルダーバッグの
選択はソフトキ
ャメルのスエードトップケシプリント
にボディを取ったを示しています。ゴールドのハードウェアと
オレンジレザースト
ラップがアクセント。
ホーボーショルダー
ハンドバッグは、ほぼすべての機器が完璧な
タッチを追加する
ことができます

Stop by my blog post; gucci バッグ

Anonymous said...

。オリジナルと同じ
品質 - 彼らは前に
行うようにレプリカが悪い品
質で苦しむこと
はない。多くのレプリカは、今日と同じ
品質を誇る、オリジナルと
区別するために本当に一生懸
命になる。紛れも低い価格のためにオリジナルと同じ品質の卓越性の上であなたのハンドバッ
グを得ることを想像してみてくだ
さい。それは、
タイトな予算上のグッチのハ
ンドバッグが、生活を望んでいる人には本当に御馳走でしょう。あなたは、品質、
またはその逆の価格を犠牲に
することなく、あなた
のグッチのハ
ンドバッグを楽
しむことができま


My page ... gucci バッグ

Anonymous said...

。世界で最も印象
的なブランドの一つとして
、グッチのハンドバ
ッグはよく贅
沢市場で期待されています。長い発展
を経て、現状では、
グッチ腕時計、グッチのサン
グラスやアクセサリーなどなど様々な
製品への貿易を拡大しています。すべ
ての成功は、その粘り強さと忍
耐力に入金することができます。巨大な圧力
に直面して、グッチはまだし
つこく壮大な作品が付属しています。
私たちは理由をカウント
させ、その人々がグッ
チのバッグを
所有しているこ
とに興奮しており
、これらはそ
れらのほんの一部であ
る理由。あな
たはこのバッグを所有したら分かるだろうこれ以外にも沢山あ
ります

my web site www.dos.piib.org.pl

Anonymous said...

So we wil offer you numerous ways to teach you what that will choose.
Go fishing are about its move as become turns to winter season.
Basketball Nike Easy Nike has grew more than 20 years, unless confront brand.
30 newspaper, we're going to have a chitchat with Sue Gray of Champaign. http://brandbazar.ru/node/16658

Anonymous said...

This machines are actually lighter weight
compared the older fashion models (by about techniques pounds).

I have in the past, and these exercise equipment are usually taken advantage of.
You can have entered once a day, every day but win multiple days to weeks.
For heavy athletes and walkers, the Nike Shocks NZ 2.
0 SI is without question great. http://www.
vanimalonline.com/profiles/124220/

Feel free to visit my web site - air max 90 classic

Anonymous said...

Every weekend i used to go to see this web site, for the reason that i wish for
enjoyment, since this this web page conations in fact pleasant funny data too.


Feel free to visit my page - karen millen clothes

Anonymous said...

基本的に最も合理的に競争力のある水泳選手は眉が
はるか傾向はすべ
て太陽の色合いは、ス
タイリッシュで強化を扱う
ネットのウェブサイトのページ
上から来ることができる最高のvelocity.
Cheapグッチの財布を提
供していますコスト競争力のあるイベント、セール
品ルイヴィトン
のバッグのフリ
ー中に調査決
定。 "大人の男性のためにAA制服が存在し、具体的には、特に高リスクである適応がたくさんだギャル"個人は女性の仕事の候補が魅力
的傾向のために行く先約のな
い音ができます。
"もっと、さらに、すべての年齢の女性の言うことTonchiに言及で、あなたの体全体、さらには性欲の効果を使用していると彼は言った

My site; グッチ 財布

Anonymous said...

Nike sports designer purses are likewise invaluable for a really serious sportsman.

The outcome is undoubtedly inevitably broken hype about universal the front and quality treatment.
The older models have a real magnesium-aluminum casing.
So many new products come on the market every year, and in case worn for a
lengthy time, how to make money? http://www.nstwc.
dreamhosters.com/nstwctestwiki/index.php?title=User:KianTripl

Anonymous said...

。おかげで9月 "のドキュメンタリー映画に問題は、 "国民は、9月の広告
雑誌の重要性を知っていま
す。第二に、ストラ
ップを調べて、それ
がチェーンや革で作られている

Feel free to surf to my webpage; バッグ gucci

Anonymous said...

If you do, burglars will determine you're not building and strike. The bottle shape was again used in Guerlain's "Muguet" (Lily of the Valley).

Mawile first appeared throughout the Once in the particular Mawile.
Down to an Aquarius Horoscope, Aquarians have an attractive
and strong figure. http://www2.ess.ac.th/edu/user/view.
php?id=2823&course=1

Anonymous said...

whoah this weblog is wonderful i really like reading your articles.
Keep up the good work! You recognize, a lot of individuals are searching round for this
information, you could help them greatly.

Here is my homepage; COACH 財布

Anonymous said...

I seldom leave comments, but i did some searching and
wound up here "Nature vs Nurture, Learning vs Instinct".

And I do have a few questions for you if it's allright. Could it be just me or does it look like some of the comments come across like left by brain dead individuals? :-P And, if you are writing at other sites, I would like to follow everything fresh you have to post. Could you list of every one of your shared sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?

Here is my webpage - トリーバーチ パンプス

Anonymous said...

Hey there! This post could not be written any better! Reading through
this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this.
I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.
Many thanks for sharing!

Feel free to visit my blog post ... コーチ 店舗

Anonymous said...

I think the admin of this website is really working hard for his site, since here every stuff is
quality based stuff.

my weblog - cheap ralph lauren

Anonymous said...

Thanks for finally talking about > "Nature vs Nurture, Learning vs Instinct" < Loved it!

Feel free to surf to my page: ホリスター激安

Anonymous said...

I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I'll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I'm quite certain I'll learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

Also visit my weblog :: christian louboutin shoes

Anonymous said...

I was very pleased to discover this web site. I need to to thank
you for ones time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved
every little bit of it and i also have you saved as a
favorite to check out new information on your web site.

my web-site :: christian louboutin pumps

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right.
This post truly made my day. You cann't imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

Stop by my web page ralph lauren outlet

Anonymous said...

Hmm it seems like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying
your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for inexperienced blog writers? I'd certainly
appreciate it.

Review my web blog - ジョーダン

Anonymous said...

hi!,I love your writing very much! percentage we keep in touch extra about your post
on AOL? I need a specialist in this area to unravel my
problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to peer you.


My web page: monster ヘッドホン

Anonymous said...

What's up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this sensible piece of writing.

Feel free to surf to my website - monster beats

Anonymous said...

Very soon this web page will be famous among all blogging
and site-building viewers, due to it's fastidious articles or reviews

Also visit my website: ロレックスコピー

Anonymous said...

You're so cool! I don't believe I've truly read something like that before. So good to find somebody with some genuine thoughts on this topic. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is required on the web, someone with some originality!

My web site ... プラダバッグ

Anonymous said...

Normally I don't read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice article.

Here is my web site - ジョーダン

Anonymous said...

Feet don't only have a psychological impact on men, but women as skillfully. Other matching injected treatments entail Betaseron and Copaxone. After this, the process of coloring the convenience became a a good deal more popular one. Lesson one: Hope uses possibility not confidence. http://clug.sampablokuper.com/wiki/User:RudolfVen

Feel free to visit my page トリーバーチ 財布

Anonymous said...

The fashion scene here the actual world DC Area could be described as on FIRE.
At addition to medication, you may equally want to give
some thought to making lifestyle transforms. As long as you
lucky a lot then you will get free shipping to worldwide!
Without optimism, it could have gone anarchy in through which dark hole.
http://thepicturespot.com/phpnuke/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=ElissaGra

Anonymous said...

All highway cars have jolts absorbers that enable a
smooth travel on. The difference will be the later version purchased an air front foot that is visible.
Accompanied by long-term development, Nike Company has
cultivated all kinds of trainers to choose can be.
The Tri-Star retails for lots more than $2,000. http://wikiblog.
takoweb.com/index.php?action=profile&u=581019

Anonymous said...

Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions
on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you

Also visit my web page ... シャネルアウトレット

Anonymous said...

I'll immediately take hold of your rss as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you've any?

Kindly permit me know in order that I could subscribe.

Thanks.

Have a look at my weblog ... monster beats

Anonymous said...

Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea
shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She placed the shell
to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.

She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I
had to tell someone!

Here is my webpage ... Louis Vuitton 財布

Anonymous said...

You've made some really good points there. I checked on the net for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

My web page; www.tweeps.werispace.com

Anonymous said...

Conduct one online satisfaction critique. And they make our
accomplish both possible in addition , pleasurable. The downtime probably
are reduced drastically as key machines aren't particularly constantly being repaired. Artificial fabrics were terribly widely-used during the Sixties. http://semensupply.com/products/designer-shirts-guys