Nature vs. Nurture

“It isn’t nature or nurture. It’s nature and nurture.”
Sam Horn

The Popular Debate

The nature vs. nurture debate is one of the first lessons in psychology. It asks how susceptible a trait is to change. Are we born with these traits? Or, are they developed over time? It’s interesting to consider if people innately view failure differently. I won’t dive too much into the genetics of the debate, but more of a birds-eye view. I want to ask: Do socioeconomic factors influence someone’s willingness to gamble (and more often than not, fail)?

Nurture

“Predictors of Problem Gambling in the U.S.”

This article, published by the University of Buffalo, analyzes U.S. survey results on gambling. A primary finding was that poverty and “problem gambling” were directly related. The authors define problem gambling from betting more and more each time, to repeated unsuccessful attempts. The traits were much more common in respondents from low-income neighborhoods.

These findings make sense. People from low-income neighborhoods do not have the same access to financial advice. In fact, there is even more advertising in these neighborhoods, trying to market shady financial tools. This can range from payday loans with extremely high interest rates, to an abundance of casinos. The authors studied this phenomenon and concluded that one of the reasons respondents were problem gamblers is “…a lack of role models of financial success achieved through conventional means.” (John). Role models are one of the most significant indicators of success in someone’s life. I know I’ve relied on many throughout college and in my job search. Success through unconventional means is not a bad thing – it’s great if you figured out your own path. However, many people fall into traps like the payday loans I mentioned. In that case, a role model, someone who may have experienced the same setbacks, could have helped guide them on the right path,

Ultimately, socioeconomic factors do play a significant role, in determining someone’s willingness to gamble. A casino is often viewed as an unconventional mean to attain financial freedom. And such losses may not even be interpreted as a failure, but rather a natural setback in working towards a goal.

Nature

“Beyond the Pleasure Principle”

In Sigmund Freud’s 1920 monograph, he discusses his observations while living with a mother and her son. I mentioned this article earlier, in regards to repetitive actions and one’s willingness to fail. It’s also interesting to consider whether the child purposefully losing his toy is an innate behavior. Was he taught to lose his toy? Does he view losing his toy as a failure? While they may seem like simple questions, there is no clear answer.

What do I think?

Ultimately, I believe that nature plays a more significant role in one’s willingness to gamble and fail. It is true that some people are naturally less risk-averse than others. However, when casinos are viewed as path to financial freedom, one is much more likely to accept failure, in order to achieve upward mobility.

Sources:

Welt, John, et. al. “Predictors of Problem Gambling in the U.S.” Springer Science + Business Media, 24, August 2016, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10899-016-9639-1.pdf. Accessed 9 November 2022.

Freud, Sigmund, and James Strachey. Beyond the Pleasure Principle. Hassell Street Press, 2021.