There are three different views on the reasons for the difference between children's human nature and children's individual human nature in history: genetic determinism, environmental determinism and convergence theory.
First of all, genetic determinism
Genetic determinists believe that individual differences in human nature are determined by certain characteristics of individual genetic qualities or human natural qualities. In this thought, the representative views are Plato's theory that human beings are divided into three classes, Christianity's "original sin theory" and China's ancient theory of good nature and evil nature.
Genetic determinism makes people believe that dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, and mice are born to make holes. This view not only found a theoretical basis for the ruling class to give up mass education and implement a hierarchical education system, but also found an excuse for individual educators to shirk their responsibilities.
Second, environmental determinism.
Environmental determinism holds that the power that really plays an absolute role in children's development is their living environment and the educational guidance they get the day after tomorrow.
Environmental determinism denies the role of people's biological genetic quality in children's development, and is convinced that what plays a decisive role in children's development is their acquired life experience and environmental influence, so environmental determinism is also called parenting theory. Environmental determinism pays attention to the environmental conditions of children's growth, the contents and methods of acquired education, and the important influence of these environmental factors on children's growth and development. The prevalence of environmental determinism directly leads to the traditional educational practice attaching importance to teachers' authority, book knowledge and school discipline. In addition, "a strict teacher makes a noble apprentice", "a dutiful son makes a stick" and so on. .
Third, convergence theory.
Convergence theory, also called two-factor theory. This concept of development affirms that both congenital genetic factors and acquired environment have important influences on children's development, and their functions are different and cannot be replaced by each other.
The influence of convergence theory on educational practice is obvious. The theory of children's psychology is defined as the necessary knowledge for educators, and the law of children's psychological development is also regarded as an important theoretical basis for educational activities. At the same time, in the educational practice, the control over the choice of educational content and methods has been strengthened, and the design and control of school educational environment have been strengthened.