What term refers to the totality of environmental factors that influence an individual's development and behavior?

Study for the New CED - Biological Basis of Behavior Exam. Test your understanding with detailed questions and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

The term that refers to the totality of environmental factors influencing an individual's development and behavior is indeed "nurture." This concept encompasses all external influences, including family upbringing, education, culture, social interactions, and life experiences, which shape an individual's behavior and personality over time.

In the context of development, nurture plays a crucial role as it interacts with genetic predispositions (from nature) to determine various outcomes in an individual. The interplay between nurture and nature is essential for understanding human behavior, as it emphasizes the importance of the environment in shaping an individual's growth, as opposed to solely relying on biological or genetic factors.

While genetics pertains specifically to inherited traits and biological makeup, biology refers to the overall science of living organisms, which includes both genetic and environmental aspects. Hence, focusing solely on genetics or biology does not encompass the broader environmental influences encapsulated by the term nurture.

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