Tabangay, Zaira Mae D.

                                                                           

II-D Psychology

1. Explain the basic ideas of epigenetic theory and give examples of how genes and environment
interact in human development.

         Epigenetics theory emphasizes how environmental influences affect how an individual’s
genes respond. It does not answer whether the development of a person is nature or nurture
because in this theory it does both affect one’s development. For example, it is said that a
person’s temperament is all genetics, the genes a person inherits from his/her biological parents
provides information that guides their development but experiences from environmental
influences might change or rearrange the epigenetic marks that control the gene expression. It
can be affected positively or negatively.

2. Define developmental theory and describe how developmental theories help explain human
behavior and development and note the differences between grand theories and emergent
theories.

         Developmental theory is a set of statements that shows a systematic way of thinking on
how an individual grows from conception to death, and on different changes an individual
undergoes through this passage. And through these various theories, it helps people to deepen
understanding on how an individual develops by giving coherent framework. It serves as a
guideline and it also provides concepts that have practical application. Developmental theories
have categories such as grand theories, mini-theories and emergent theories. But I would give
emphasis on the difference between grand theories and emergent theories. Grand theories are
largely psychological in nature and focus on childhood while emergent theories have
components of other social sciences, also, emergent theories tend to be newer theories and more
diluted unlike grand theories that are proven to be outdated.

Sources:

What is Epigenetics? The Answer to the Nature vs. Nurture Debate. (2020). Retrieved 23 September
2020, from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/what-is-epigenetics-and-how-does-it-
relate-to-child-development/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CEpigen
Developmental Theories. (2020). Retrieved 23 September 2020, from
https://www.mentalhelp.net/self-help/developmental-theories/