In psychology, the nature vs. nurture debate concerns the relative importance of an individuals innate qualities (nature) versus personal experiences (nurture) in determining or causing their behavior and traits. Nurture refers to all of the external or environmental factors that affect human development, such as how someone is raised, socioeconomic status, early life experiences, and learning. Nature, on the other hand, refers to the influence of genetics, innate qualities, and biological factors on human development, behavior, and traits.

The debate has been ongoing for centuries, and while both nature and nurture play a role in shaping who we are, the exact balance between the two is still a topic of discussion. Researchers have found that both nature and nurture can affect mental health, with life events and experiences being the strongest predictor of mental illness.

Examples of nurture in psychology include parenting and attachment style variations during childhood, learned experiences facilitated by school or extracurricular activities, social relationships, and culture-related achievements. Nurture can impact who you are and how your mental health develops, and it can be changed through psychotherapy and other interventions.