TheThe leading leading theories theories on on nature nature vs vs.. nurture nurture fall fall into into three three main main perspectives perspectives:

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11.. NatureNature ( (GeneticGenetic Determin Determinismism):):** Em Emphasphasizesizes innate innate biological biological factors factors,, such such as as genetics genetics,, in in shaping shaping behavior behavior and and development development..

22.. NNurturtureure ( (EnvironmentalEnvironmental Determin Determinismism):):** Focus Focuseses on on external external factors factors,, such such as as upbringing upbringing,, culture culture,, and and experiences experiences..

33.. InteractionInteractionistist Perspective Perspective:: Arg Arguesues that that nature nature and and nurture nurture interact interact dynamically dynamically,, with with genes genes influencing influencing how how we we respond respond to to environments environments and and environments environments shaping shaping gene gene expression expression ( (epepigenigeneticsetics).

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**AnswerAnswer to to the the question question::**

MostMost contemporary contemporary research research supports supports the the interinteractionactionistist perspective perspective,, suggesting suggesting that that both both nature nature and and nurture nurture are are crucial crucial and and inseparable inseparable in in a a child child’s’s development development.. Neither Neither is is more more influential influential in in isolation isolation;; their their interplay interplay determines determines outcomes outcomes.. For For example example,, genetic genetic predis predispositionspositions may may set set potential potential,, but but environmental environmental factors factors ( (ee.g.g.,., parenting parenting,, education education)) shape shape how how that that potential potential is is realized realized..

EpEpigenigeneticsetics significantly significantly impacts impacts the the nature nature vs vs.. nurture nurture debate debate by by showing showing that that genes genes and and environment environment interact interact dynamically dynamically.. It It reveals reveals that that environmental environmental factors factors ( (nnurturtureure)) can can influence influence gene gene expression expression without without altering altering the the underlying underlying DNA DNA sequence sequence.. For For example example,, stress stress,, diet diet,, or or trauma trauma can can “ “turnturn on on”” or or “ “turnturn off off”” certain certain genes genes,, affecting affecting behavior behavior,, health health,, and and development development.. This This supports supports the the interinteractionactionistist perspective perspective,, demonstrating demonstrating that that nature nature and and nurture nurture are are deeply deeply intertwined intertwined,, with with neither neither acting acting in in isolation isolation.. Ep Epigenigeneticsetics bridges bridges the the gap gap,, showing showing how how nurture nurture can can shape shape nature nature over over time time..