The continuing legacy of nature versus nurture in biolinguistics

Psychon Bull Rev. 2017 Feb;24(1):140-141. doi: 10.3758/s13423-016-1202-7.

Abstract

Theories of language evolution that separate biological and cultural contributions perpetuate a false dichotomy between nature and nurture. The explanatory power of future theories will depend on acknowledging the reality of gene-culture interaction and how it makes language possible.

Keywords: Development; Genetics; Language; Nature vs. Nurture.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biological Evolution*
  • Cultural Evolution*
  • Gene-Environment Interaction*
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Linguistics