Final answer:
John Watson's statement "Men are built not born" refers to the influence of environmental factors in shaping an individual's behavior, aligning with the nurture side of the nature versus nurture debate.
Step-by-step explanation:
When John Watson said, "Men are built not born," he was highlighting the idea that human behavior is primarily shaped by environmental factors. This statement underscores a key concept in the domain of psychology, particularly the nature versus nurture debate. The statement suggests that our personalities, abilities, and behaviors are significantly influenced by our experiences and environment after birth rather than being fully determined by our genetic makeup at birth.
The nurture perspective emphasizes the role of environmental factors in shaping an individual, which includes education, socioeconomic status, relationships, and culture. This view aligns with research that points to the reciprocal interaction between nature and nurture in human development. While genetics provide a potential for aspects like intelligence, it is the nurturing environment that enables or hinders the manifestation of cognitive abilities.