Nature and Nurture

We hope you enjoyed our series on famous people with mental illness. As we discussed brain chemistry and life experiences of the personalities, psychologists would say we studied “nature and nurture.”

What is Nature?

Nature consists of a person’s physical makeup, including genetic predispositions. People are usually glad to inherit things like intelligence and physical strength. Others may complain of a genetic predisposition to depression or anxiety. Nature could be a life event, such as an illness or an injury.  Although the struggles can be intense, help is available. As Fred Rogers said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable and anything that’s mentionable can made more manageable.” Physical challenges can be addressed through counseling, medication, and/or ADA accommodations.

What is Nurture?

Nurture can consist of life experiences, many of which occur at NSCC such as:

Education

Education has been referred to as “the marketplace of ideas” where everyone has a voice. During the college years, students are exposed to critical thinking and analysis of ideas. At NSCC, we have a great opportunity to teach students how to think creatively.

Employment

Part of our job here is helping students discover their talents for the workplace. Through internships and job placement, Career Services does an excellent job of matching our students with settings where they can succeed.

Friendships

Students learn from their instructors in the classroom, and they also have a learning experience as they interact with each other. At Nashville State we help teach conflict resolution and problem solving as students grow in their interpersonal skills. One opportunity for students with common interests to meet each other is through our Student Organizations. You can see more details at the following link:

https://www.nscc.edu/student-resources/student-resources-details/student-organizations/

 

How Do Nature and Nurture Work Together?

Genetics and life experiences combine to give each person a unique contribution to society. At the Access Center, we have a quote by Albert Einstein on our desktop, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” We want all our students to develop their strengths as they use their experiences at NSCC to continue a lifetime of learning.

What Resources are Available at NSCC?

NSCC offers the Kuder Journey Career Assessment in which students explore their skills, abilities, and interests. Students can come by Career Services at S-206A to sign up to complete the assessment on campus or at home.  After students complete the Kuder, they have the opportunity to meet with the staff to discuss the results. This is a great opportunity for students to use their nature and nurture to discover a career that will bring them satisfaction and productivity.

 

Abraham Lincoln

Can clinical depression actually be a catalyst for wisdom, creativity, and emotional depth? Many scholars who have studied Abraham Lincoln would say so. As Lincoln guided our nation through the horrors of the Civil War and the controversies of slavery, he fought his own inner emotions that many believe actually “fueled his greatness.”

The devastating tragedies in Lincoln’s early years affected him in major ways. He lost his mother, aunt, and uncle at the age of nine, and his sister died in childbirth when Lincoln was eighteen. As a young adult, he developed a close relationship with a woman named Anne Rutledge, who died of typhoid fever when she was only 22. Since Lincoln’s father was an uneducated laborer and Lincoln loved to learn and read, there was much tension between them. Lincoln’s father would be so upset that he often beat him for studying from books instead of doing his chores.

By Lincoln’s late twenties, these tragedies, coupled with a genetic predisposition to clinical depression resulted in a reputation for a somber disposition in the midst of his political ascent. Joshua Wolf Shenk has written a book called Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness. Shenk argues that it was Lincoln’s “sadder, but wiser” personality that made him one the outstanding presidents in American history. He reminds his readers that people who are depressed are often more realistic and more profound. As the President of the United States during the Civil War, it would have been disastrous if Lincoln failed to realize the magnitude of his actions. His pensive, contemplative approach was his key to success.  During his debates with Stephen Douglas in 1858, Douglas was an optimist who procrastinated making moral and practical choices about slavery. Lincoln addressed the issue with more clarity and conviction.

Throughout our lives, perhaps we may have moments of contemplative introspection. We might ask ourselves questions, as Abraham Lincoln did. When did I succeed? When did I fail? Why?  How can I resolve conflict and bring about peace? Like Abraham Lincoln, we can use our emotions and introspection to improve our lives and the lives of others.