After enduring extreme neglect for thirteen years, Genie had never been taught how to talk. Once rescued from the abuse, scientists began to study her while teaching her. She easily was able to learn lexicon, yet failed to successfully learn grammar. The case of Genie informs the nature versus nurture debate because the extreme neglect she endured (as what happens in other abused children’s brains studied) led to her brain not developing properly. The cortex for language and speech was not stimulated in Genie’s brain due to the neglect and lack of stimulation. Because of this, it became less functional, leading to a physical change in that part of the brain. Had she been nurtured, she would almost definitely have developed language normally. This has nothing to do with her nature, as the scientists in the clip refute the idea of her being mentally incapacitated. This solely is concerned with nurture.
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