Which statement describes the relationship between heredity and environmental factors in determining development?

• A. Environmental factors are much more important than heredity.
• B. Experience can affect our genes, but genes cannot affect our experiences.
• C. Genes and experience can affect each other.
• D. Genes and experiences are completely independent of each other.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'nature vs. nurture' which explores how both genetic and environmental factors influence development.
2. Recognize that heredity refers to the genetic inheritance we receive from our parents, which can predispose us to certain traits and behaviors.
3. Acknowledge that environmental factors include all external influences, such as culture, education, and personal experiences, which can shape our development.
4. Learn about the concept of gene-environment interaction, which suggests that genes and environment can influence each other. For example, a genetic predisposition might be expressed differently depending on environmental conditions.
5. Consider the idea of epigenetics, which studies how environmental factors can affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, indicating a dynamic interplay between genes and experiences.