The nature-nurture debate continues to stir controversy in the social and
behavioral sciences. How much of human behavior and development can be
attributed to biology and how much to the environment? Can either be said to
"determine" human development? And what are the implications of each view for
society? In this important study, a noted developmental psychologist contributes
to this debate by confronting the difficult issue of "doctrines" of human
development and the consequences for society of deriving political programs and
public policy from them.
Beginning with the premise that scientific ideas are not neutral but can be used
for either good or evil, Richard Lerner considers the