by David B . Cohen (Author)
A gripping account that provides solid answers to the age-old question of nature vs. nurture
Providing scientifically grounded support for the thesis advanced in Judith Rich Harris' controversial book The Nurture Assumption, psychologist David Cohen explains why children's aptitudes and interests depend more on genes than parenting. Drawing on two decades of research in behavioral genetics to support this provocative perspective, Dr. Cohen puts a human face on the age-old nature vs. nurture debate. Children are not born as blank slates, he argues, and he goes on to reveal new research indicating that DNA, rather than parents, determines to a significant extent how children think, feel, and behave. This riveting book uses vivid analogies to illuminate complex genetics research, and explains why parental influence may have far less impact than is normally thought.
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 312
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Published: 16 Mar 1999
ISBN 10: 0471319228
ISBN 13: 9780471319221
I am a developmental psychologist...and proponent of the effects of environment and parental influence on children...It was therefore with some surprise that I found myself using terms like 'brilliant, ' 'timely, ' and 'indispensable' when I read ´┐¢this´┐¢ book. - Judith H. Langlois, Charles and Sarah Seay Regents Professor, University of Texas
Required reading for all students of the art and science of parenting. - Allan Hobson, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Stranger in the Nest is rich with fascinating facts and excellent examples of how children develop more in obedience to their genetic steersmen than to the influence of their parents. Like The Nurture Assumption, Judith Harris's revolutionary new book, Stranger in the Nest is required reading for both parents and professionals, scholarly yet beautifully written and a joy to read. - David T. Lykken, Ph.D., author of Happiness, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota