应用型大学英语合教程3(第7课)全解.docVIP

Unit Look at the following characteristics. Did you inherit them (have at them at birth) or did you learn them? Tick (√ ) the correct box, “Inherited” or “learned”. Inherited Learned Weight Height √ Intelligence √ Ability to make friends √ Sense of humor √ Ability to spell correctly √ The kind of food that you like to eat √ The sports that you like to play √ The sound of your voice √ Personality of being shy √ (Students may have different answers. Guide them to the Debate on Nature vs Nurture.) Teacher’s Reference: A short history of the debate on Nature and Nurture In the late 19th century: Francis Galton, a British scientist, invented the famous expression “nature versus nurture” In the beginning of the 20th century: People believed that nature was more important. In the 1940s and 1950s: People believed that nurture was more important. In 1979: Researchers’ study in Minnesota showed the importance of nature. More recently: Some research shows that nurture is more important. The debate continues… Teacher’s Reference What is Nature vs Nurture? It has been reported that the use of the terms nature and nurture as a convenient catch-phrase (警句) for the roles of heredity and environment in human development can be traced back to 13th century France. Some scientists think that people behave as they do according to genetic predispositions. This is known as the nature theory of human behavior. Other scientists believe that people think and behave in certain ways because they are taught to do so. This is known as the nurture theory of human behavior. Fast-growing understanding of the human genome has recently made it clear that both sides are partly right. Nature endows us with inborn abilities and traits; nurture takes these genetic tendencies and molds them as we learn and mature. The nature vs nurture debate still rages on, as scientist fight over how much of who we are is shaped by genes and how mu