What is Human Nature?

Opening Story: Isabelle…

DISCUSSION: What do you think about this story?

• Try to walk like Isabelle.

What is Human Nature?

READ AND DISCUSS: Heredity or Environment? The Case of Oskar and Jack, Identical Twins (p. 64)

What is the nature vs. nurture debate? Which area do you think sociology places the emphasis? Which area do you think psychology places the emphasis?

 

Reading… Schizophrenia as both nurture and nature: WQ – Luhrmann – Schizophrenia and Sociology – SOCIALIZATION

 

social environment – the entire human environment, including direct contact with others

feral children – children assumed to have been raised by animals, in the wilderness, isolated from other humans (Nell IS NOT a feral child)

socialization – the process by which people learn the characteristics of their group–the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and actions thought appropriate for them

Genie Documentary: “Secret of the Wild Child”

Feral Children Isolated Children Institutionalized Children Deprived Animals

DISCUSSION: Institutionalized Children (p. 65-67)

What happens to the IQ’s of institutionalized children.

What is the importance of social bonding?

DISCUSSION: Deprived Animals (p. 67)

What is intimate physical contact?

How could a mother’s childhood possible impact the issue of “shaking babies”?

Why would a mother or father do this to a baby?

Risk Factors

        The following factors increase the chance of a shaking injury:

History of domestic or child abuse within the family

History of drug and/or alcohol abuse within the family

Shaking a baby, even for a few seconds

History of stress or social difficulties in the family

Boys are more likely to be abused in this way than girls

DISCUSSION: Explain the idea that society makes us human.

Works Cited:

Henslin, James M. Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 7th ed. (Pearson: Boston 2005), Chapter 3

http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/shaken-baby-syndrome