This debate is very important in Psychology it concerns the relative importance of the influence of nature or nurture in explaining human behaviour.

• Nature = Inherited influences such as our genes and physiological make-up

• Nurture = How life has influenced us through our experiences
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This debate can be applied to many aspects of human life.

1. Are people born clever or do they become clever through hard work and good teaching?

2. Are criminals born with a tendency to commit crime or do they commit crime because they have lived an impoverished life?