Question 1
Value contradictions can come up between personal and communal value systems. They could also be founded on a distinction in how individuals gauge their worth of things, or on important value disagreement. The practice of slavery is a good illustration of a value contradiction between wealth and freedom (Rutter, 2006). Value contradictions are considered important, particularly in sociology because individuals usually fail to fully implement their suggested values. This then results in a situation referred to as ideal vs. real culture (Neal & Youngelson-Neal, 2014). The latter are the value actions individuals actually exhibit while the former is when individuals have no issue confessing their values and those that people should maintain.
Being a diverse nation, the United States boasts of numerous interest groups that concentrate on activities as divergent as collecting priced dolls and hunting wild game (Taylor, 2013). It also has diverse values which are upheld by the American citizens. Some of the controversial values that have been identified by sociologists include hard work, achievement and success, material comfort, equality, liberty, and practicality and effectiveness (Rutter, 2006). On the other hand, value cluster of five main interconnected values is emerging in this particular nation. These are self-fulfillment, concern for the environment, physical fitness, youthfulness, and leisure (Taylor, 2013). Presently, there are a number of value contradictions taking place between traditional values and the emerging values in the United States.
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Two of these value contradictions are achievement and success versus youthfulness. In the past, people would follow certain sets of goals which incorporated getting an education, pursuing a career, finding a partner, having children and awaiting old-age or retirement (Neal & Youngelson-Neal, 2014). Most people were content with their lifestyles as long as they achieved and succeeded, regardless of the age they would be at by then. Contrarily, in today's America, people are retiring or leaving their jobs at a very young age, as they pursue their careers or professions early in life. Furthermore, schools are now offering career programs where students can learn what to expect in the world of employment (Taylor, 2013). Well-equipped, today's generations are able to find employment, achieve their intended goals and retire early, some at the age of 40 years.
Question 2
The nature versus nurture discussion is considered to be the most ancient philosophical issues within psychology (Rutter, 2006). Nature constitutes all of the hereditary factors and genes that tend to influence who people are, from their physical appearance to their personality traits (Taylor, 2013). Nurture, on the other hand, are all the environmental variables that tend to have an impact on who people are, with the inclusion of their early childhood experiences, how they were raised, their social associations, and their surrounding culture (Neal & Youngelson-Neal, 2014).
Previously, dialogues over the comparative influences of nature versus nurture usually took a one-sided approach, with one side claiming that nature played the most significant part, and the other claiming that it was nurture that was most important (Taylor, 2013). Presently, however, most scholars acknowledge that both factors not only play a major role, but also interrelate in significant ways throughout a person's life. Some thinkers such as Descartes and Plato claimed that specific things are inherent or that they take place inherently, regardless of exterior influences (Rutter, 2006). Others believe that all traits and actions are the outcome of evolution. Further, other famous philosophers such as John Locke held that the mind begins as a blank slate and that everything a person is, and all their knowledge is determined by their experience (Neal & Youngelson-Neal, 2014).
Looking at my own life in terms of traits, habits, and socialization, I believe that my self emerged from both nature and nurturing. The person I am today has been fashioned by my early childhood experiences, my social life, and how I was raised. The nature versus nurture controversy is thus applicable to my own life.
References
Neal, A.G., & Youngelson-Neal, H. (2014). Core values in American life: Living with contradictions . New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.
Rutter, M. (2006). Genes and behaviour: Nature-nurture interplay explained . Malden, MA: Blackwell.
Taylor, H. (2013). Sociology . Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
