What distinguishes nature from nurture?

The distinction between nature and nurture is fundamentally based on the sources of influences on human development. Nature pertains to genetic inheritance—this encompasses the biological characteristics passed down from parents to offspring, including traits, predispositions, and biological factors that affect development. For instance, one's eye color or certain genetic predispositions to health issues are considered part of the "nature" aspect.

On the other hand, nurture encompasses all external influences that occur after conception, which includes a wide range of environmental factors—these can be things like parenting styles, education, cultural experiences, and socio-economic status. Nurture contributes to how genetic potentials are expressed, emphasizing that although genetics may set certain foundations, the environment can significantly shape the outcomes of a person's development.

By understanding this distinction, one can appreciate how both elements work together in shaping an individual's personality, behavior, and overall development, making option A the accurate representation of this fundamental concept in psychology.