The Nature-Nurture Debate The Essential Readings

by Ceci, Stephen J.; Williams, Wendy M.

• ISBN13: 9780631217398
• ISBN10: 0631217398
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-21
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Will a child who is genetically male, but raised female as a result of a surgical accident during infancy, grow up to identify as female? Do all children have the wherewithal to become expert musicians if provided with the same opportunities for extensive practice, or are there genetically determined constraints that no amount of practice can countermand? These are just two of the provocative questions addressed in The Nature-Nurture Debate: The Essential Readings.No issue is more central to the field of developmental psychology than the nature-nurture debate. Its resolution promises to have profound implications for the way we view children's behavior, and the nature and malleability of their temperament, personality, intelligence, and gender identity. Stephen J. Ceci and Wendy M. Williams have gathered together fourteen of the most scientifically compelling papers, each introduced by the editors, which not only provide an authoritative resource, but will also serve to stimulate meaningful classroom discussion about the most important developmental issue of our time.

Author Biography

Stephen J. Ceci holds a lifetime endowed chair in child development at Cornell University. He studies the accuracy of children's courtroom testimony, as well as the development of intelligence and memory. His previous books include On Intelligence: A Bio-Ecological Treatise (1996).

Wendy M. Williams is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development at Cornell University, where she studies children's learning, development and creativity, adult problem solving, and practical intelligence. her previous books include The Reluctant Reader (1996).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction Born vs. Made: Nature---Nurture in the New Millennium	1	(10)
Stephen J. Ceci
Wendy M. Williams
Part I Fetal Influences on Later Development	11	(42)
Introduction to Chapter 1	13	(1)
War Babies	14	(10)
Jared Diamond
Introduction to Chapter 2	23	(1)
Prenatal Loss of Father and Psychiatric Disorders	24	(12)
Matti O. Huttunen
Pekka Niskanen
Introduction to Chapter 3	33	(3)
Prenatal Development of Monozygotic Twins and Concordance for Schizophrenia	36	(17)
James O. Davis
Jeanne A. Phelps
H. Stefan Bracha
Part II Boy or Girl? Acquiring Gender Identity	53	(28)
Introduction to Chapter 4	55	(2)
Sex Reassignment at Birth	57	(19)
Milton Diamond
H. Keith Sigmundson
Gender Role Change with Puberty	76	(5)
Julianne Imperato-McGinley
Ralph E. Peterson
Robert Stoller
Willard E. Goodwin
Part III Social and Personality Development	81	(24)
Introduction to Chapter 6	83	(1)
How to Succeed in Childhood	84	(14)
Judith Rich Harris
Introduction to Chapter 7	97	(1)
Genes, Environment, and Personality	98	(7)
Thomas J. Bouchard Jr.
Part IV Infancy and Early Childhood Influences on IQ Development	105	(60)
Introduction to Chapter 8	107	(1)
Developmental Catch-up, and Deficit, Following Adoption after Severe Global Early Privation	108	(28)
Michael Rutter
Introduction to Chapter 9	135	(1)
Early Experience and the Life Path	136	(12)
Ann Clarke
Alan Clarke
Introduction to Chapter 10	147	(1)
Prevention of Intellectual Disabilities: Early Interventions to Improve Cognitive Development	148	(17)
Craig T. Ramey
Sharon Landesman Ramey
Part V Later Influences on IQ Development	165	(32)
Introduction to Chapter 11	167	(1)
Schooling and Intelligence	168	(10)
Stephen J. Ceci
Introduction to Chapter 12	177	(1)
The Genetics of Cognitive Abilities and Disabilities	178	(19)
Robert Plomin
John C. DeFries
Part VI Becoming an Expert -- Training or Talent?	197	(94)
Introduction to Chapter 13	199	(1)
Expert Performance: Its Structure and Acquisition	200	(58)
K. Anders Ericsson
Neil Charness
Introduction to Chapter 14	257	(1)
Innate Talents: Reality or Myth?	258	(33)
Michael J. A. Howe
Jane W. Davidson
John A. Sloboda
Subject Index	291