Heridity and environment

Introduction

The influence of heridity and environment on the development of an individual has been viewed differently by scholoars. There are extreme views also. But the fact remains that the functioning of heredity and environment is similar to that of two eyes, two hands, two feet, two legs, etc. on the development of a person. Each one is complementary and supplementary to the other. Sometimes one plays a more dominant role and the other relatively less dominant role. For the balanced and harmonious development of an individual, a balanced and harmonious interaction between heredity and environment is very essential. Of course, each has its limitations. There is a limit ot which each can influence the development of the individual. The role of the home and the school is to ensure that optimum use is made of these limits.

Meaning of heredity (Nature)

                “One’s heredity consists of all the sturctures, physical characteristics functions or capacities derived from parents, other ancestry or species”.

                In the words of R,S. Woodworth (1945), “Heredity covers all the factors that are present in the individual when he begins life not at birth, but at the time of conception about nine months before birth”.

O.B. Douglas and B.F.Holland (1947) define heredity as, “one’s heredity consists of all the structures, physical characteristics, funtions or capacities derived from parents, other ancestry or species”.

Every child comes into this world with certain physical and mental characteristics which he got from his parents and ancestors.

He is born with a body and mind which developed from the fertilized ovum. His limbs and organs grow from the same. Some of his mental tendencies are also based on the same. This is all account of heredity.

Meaning of environment (Nurture)

                In a broad sense, environment means cultural, economic, intellectual, motor, physical, political, religious and social factors which influence the development of the individual. All these factors and mould the behaviour of a person from time to time. Two individuals born with the same biological heritage differ because of differing environments. Sometimes it is said that environment is nothing but a process under suitable conditions to change the shape of raw material just as a potter does while making toys of mud. But this anology is not exactly applicable to a human being who is an animate one. He is not only influenced by the environment but also influences the enviroment.

Environment includes the home, the neighbourhood, the peers, the schools and a host of other agencies. No individual is the same at maturity as he was born. The environment changed him. Every thing that influences the child apart from himself what he inherits from his parents and ancestors is his environment. In this context we may not the following definitions of environment.

Definitions

                O.B.Douglas and B.F. Holland (1947) define environment as “a word which describes, in the aggregate, all of the extrinsic (external) forces influences and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and maturation of living organisms.

                R.S.Woodworth and D.G.Marques (1948) state, “Environment covers all the outside factors that have acted on the individual since he began life”.

                E.G.Boring, H.S. Longeld and H.P. Fed write, “The environment is everything that affects the individual except his genes”.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

                The ultimate aim in growth&development is the achievement of a well adjusted, balanced, effective and integrated personality. Teacher has to direct the students to grow effective& well developed personality so that they may contribute their best to the community  and to the country. Therefore, it is very essential for teachers & educators to understand the nature, characteristics & principles of growth &development.

Meaning of growth and development

Growth

                Growth refers to increase in size, height, and weight. It implies the growth of heart, brain, nerves, muscles and body in general. Growth is always observable and measurable.

Development

                The term development refers to “change in structure, form of shape and improvement in functioning. It is progressive series of changes in an orderly coherent pattern. ‘Progressive’ signifies that the changes are directional leading forward rather than backward. These changes include changes in proportions, disappearance of old features and acquisition of new features at physical, intellectual, emotional and social level of daily living.