The Nurture Assumption: Why Children Turn Out the Way They Do

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1998

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Study Guide

Before You Read Beta

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Foreword-Chapter 3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools Beta

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Define “the nurture assumption.” According to Judith Rich Harris, how has this view skewed psychological research on human development?

According to Harris, why are studies which connect parenting decisions and children’s behavior flawed? Include evidence from the text in your answer.

Outside of those concerning parenting decisions, why is Harris skeptical of correlational studies? How does she encourage the reader to be wary of these studies’ results?