In practice, the extreme positions of gender development being guided solely either by heredity or environment is not accepted today. The question is more appropriately how much each contributes to gender development.

In this comprehensive Signature Assignment, you will discuss nature and nurture factors and theories of gender development supported by scholarly research. You will explain the theories you choose and include strengths and weaknesses of each theory.

Instructions

For your Signature Assignment, you will demonstrate mastery of gender development theories (psychosocial, cognitive, and bio-physiological) by comparing them from a nature vs. nurture perspective. Students will consider aspects of this Nature vs. Nurture debate in research, making sure to include the following in your final paper:

Introduction to gender development concepts
Select one theory from the Psychosocial Theory category: Freud’s Psychosexual Stages
Select one theory from the Cognitive Theory category: Behaviorist Theory
Select one theory from the Bio-physiological Theory category: Behavioral Genetic Theory
Consider the following:

Are any biological/genetic influences similarly affecting all three of your chosen theories?
Are there any environmental influences that similarly affect all three of the theories you selected?
Do all three theories have a common strength in explaining gender development?
Do all three theories have a common weakness in explaining gender development?
Length: This assignment must be 8-10 pages, excluding the title and reference page.

References: Include a minimum of 5 scholarly resources published in the last five years and any seminal (older) work if needed. You may include any resource or repurpose work you have completed earlier in this course. In addition, you may include scholarly websites or other scholarly resources in addition to your five current scholarly sources.

Resources

The Nature–Nurture Debates: 25 Years of Challenges in Understanding the Psychology of GenderEagly, A. H., & Wood, W. (2013). The nature–nurture debates: 25 years of challenges in understanding the psychology of gender. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8(3), 340-357.
Middle ChildhoodPortland State University. (n.d.). Middle childhood. Human Development. Pressbooks Publishers. Portland, OR.
Gender through a developmental psychology lensWashington State University. Gender through a developmental psychology lens. The Psychology of Gender (3rd Ed.). Pressbooks Publishers. Pullman, WA.
Neurobiology of gender identity and sexual orientationRoselli, C. E. (2018). Neurobiology of gender identity and sexual orientation. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 30(7), e12562.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you complete your Signature Assignment with confidence and clarity:

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Purpose

Before writing, understand the goal: You’re examining how nature (heredity) and nurture (environment) interact in shaping gender development through three key theories—Freud’s Psychosexual Stages (psychosocial), Behaviorist Theory (cognitive), and Behavioral Genetic Theory (bio-physiological). You’ll evaluate them using scholarly research.

Step 2: Draft Your Introduction (1 page)

Introduce the concept of gender development and the ongoing nature vs. nurture debate. Define key terms such as gender identity, biological sex, and socialization. Briefly mention the three theories you’ll explore.

Tip: Use a scholarly source to anchor your introduction in current research (e.g., Eagly & Wood, 2013).

Step 3: Explain Freud’s Psychosexual Theory (1–1.5 pages)

Define the theory and its stages.
Discuss how it frames gender development.
Analyze whether it leans more toward nature or nurture.
Include at least one strength (e.g., foundational insight into early development).
Include one weakness (e.g., lack of empirical support).

Support your explanation with at least one scholarly reference.

Step 4: Explain the Behaviorist Theory (1–1.5 pages)

Outline the basics (e.g., reinforcement, punishment, observational learning).
Connect it to gender development (e.g., how children imitate same-gender behavior).
Is this theory more nurture-based?
Provide one strength (e.g., measurable outcomes).
Note one weakness (e.g., limited focus on internal cognitive processes).

Include recent peer-reviewed studies to back your analysis.

Step 5: Explain the Behavioral Genetic Theory (1–1.5 pages)

Define the theory (how genes influence traits and behaviors).
Apply it to gender identity and development.
Emphasize its focus on nature.
List one strength (e.g., explains individual variability).
Mention one weakness (e.g., can understate environmental impacts).

Reference Roselli (2018) and other current genetic research.

Step 6: Compare the Theories (2–3 pages)

Organize this section around the four required questions:

Shared biological/genetic influences?
Discuss common natural elements (e.g., early brain development).
Shared environmental influences?
Note how all may involve parental roles, cultural expectations.
Common strengths?
Perhaps all offer partial truths or apply to different developmental stages.
Common weaknesses?
Many oversimplify or exclude intersecting variables like culture, personality.

Structure this as four short paragraphs or one cohesive comparison section.

Step 7: Conclusion (1 page)

Summarize your key findings and reinforce your stance on the nature vs. nurture interaction in gender development. Reiterate that both biological and environmental influences are crucial and that different theories offer different insights.

Step 8: References Page

Include at least 5 scholarly sources published in the last 5 years. You may also include older seminal works where necessary.

Recommended sources:

Eagly & Wood (2013)
Roselli (2018)
Relevant journal articles on behaviorism and psychosexual theory

Step 9: Formatting

Use APA 7th edition throughout.
Include title and reference pages.
Use 12-point Times New Roman, double-spacing, and 1-inch margins.

Step 10: Proofread and Final Review

Use tools like Grammarly or your institution’s writing center.
Double-check citations, transitions, and clarity.
Ensure flow between paragraphs and coherence in argumentation.

You’re ready to tackle this assignment like a scholar! Would you like a downloadable template for this structure?

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