Implications for Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation, Essay Example

In Schaffer’s (2008) book, the question whether or not genes or environments influence one’s self-perception, emotional and cognitive development is asked. Chapter 3 examines the concept of ethology in detail, stating that human development is mainly influenced by biological factors. However, several studies based on the impact of nonshared environmental influences (NSE) seem to contradict the above theory. Two identical twins could have a different value system, personality, and abilities, due to the influence of their socialization patterns. From the chapter, it is evident that two people would perceive reality in a completely different way, and their cognitive abilities, values, norms are influenced by their early childhood environment and socialization. The answer to the question “how one’s genes and environment influence their concept of the world and the self” seems to be provided by McCartney, who created the notion called evocative genotype/environment correlations. Based on the theory, the initial genetic influences are further modified by the impact of the environment. The importance of genetic influences changes at  different stages of child development. This also explains why some identical twins become different when they leave the shared environment. They are influenced by different value systems, social norms, therefore, they will see the reality differently. No matter if two twins’ genes are the same, one might have stronger cognitive skills by adulthood, as it receives more stimulation from the environment.

Several factors influence one’s emotional and cognitive development, as well as their perception of reality. As Markus & Kitayama (1991, p. 225) state, “the category of the self is primarily the product of social factors”, therefore, the perception of one’s identity, as well as the outside world is influenced by social factors. However, interdependent variables, such as emotional development, cognitive stimulation, genetic influences, and environment influence one’s views of the world and perception of reality.

References

Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological review, 98(2), 224.

Schaffer, D. (2008) Social and Personality Development. Sixth Edition.