Robin Madden
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Robin Madden commented on Steven Pinker on Nature vs. Nurture on March 9, 2008, 5:39 PM
I both agree and disagree. I agree that people romanticize the impact that their parents had on them, but I disagree that we should discount the influence of parentage beyond conception all together. The environment affects the expression of a number of genetic predispositions in a very "real" way, and parents play a big part in shaping the environment in which the child grows up. As someone else said, it would be nice if Dr. Pinker provided specific scientific references to support his thoughts. Or, if he qualified his statement by limiting its application to learning of language and culture, I would be more inclined to agree with it.
One-time internet junkie turned married 9-5er who's lucky if she has time to read her fav blogs.
Robin Madden commented on Steven Pinker on Nature vs. Nurture on March 9, 2008, 9:39 PM
I both agree and disagree. I agree that people romanticize the impact that their parents had on them, but I disagree that we should discount the influence of parentage beyond conception all together. The environment affects the expression of a number of genetic predispositions in a very "real" way, and parents play a big part in shaping the environment in which the child grows up. As someone else said, it would be nice if Dr. Pinker provided specific scientific references to support his thoughts. Or, if he qualified his statement by limiting its application to learning of language and culture, I would be more inclined to agree with it.