Religion as nature or nurture
I can explain the nature-nurture debate in social sciences and provide reasons why religion can be seen as a result of both human nature and human nurture.
Religion as nature or nurture
I can explain the nature-nurture debate in social sciences and provide reasons why religion can be seen as a result of both human nature and human nurture.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The nature-nurture debate is a key theme in social sciences.
- Humans may be born predetermined to accept religious ideas.
- Socialisation, such as religious upbringing, may influence religious belief.
- Ann Taves, a scholar, argues humans naturally ask questions which religious and non-religious worldviews can answer.
Keywords
Nature - the biological and genetic aspects of a person that they are born with
Nurture - the influence of learning such as upbringing and environment on a person's development
Predetermined - something which is decided in advance and not down to chance
Religious upbringing - the way that parents and carers may raise children to be part of a religion
Socialisation - the process beginning in childhood where a person learns how to fit in with their society’s rules and behaviours
Common misconception
That there is a gene or section of the brain responsible for religious belief.
Genetics and the function of the brain may play a significant part in religious belief, but there is no single gene or area of the brain responsible for this.
To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Religion as nature or nurture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 religious education lesson on: Religion as nature or nurture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 religious education lessons from the Psychology: is our brain designed to believe? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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