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36 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Behavior Genetics |
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. |
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Environment |
Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. |
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Chromosomes |
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. 23 Pairs. |
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DNA |
Deoxyribonucleic Acid: A complex molecule containing the genetics information that makes up the chromosomes. |
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Genes |
The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.
Can be active (expressed) or inactive.
Traits are influenced by genes.
Can be 'turned on' by environmental factors. |
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Genome |
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes.
Humans share 96% of the DNA sequence with one another. |
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Identical Twins |
Twins who develop from a single (monozygotic) fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.
2/3 share a single placenta. Same genes, but not alw |
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Fraternal Twins |
Twins who develop from separate (dizygotic) fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than regular siblings, but they share a fetal environment. |
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Twin Studies |
To determine what genes can be attributed to environment and which to heredity, there needs to be a control group. Identical twins have the same heredity, thus all difference are environmental.
A lot of ethical dilemmas can arise. |
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Generally, shared genes lead to... |
1. Share experience. If one twin is diagnosed with an illness, the other likely will as well.
2. Similar personality. There is no effect on how psychologically alike two twins are based on how similar they are treated.
3. Similar social effects. If one twin is divorces, the other is 1.6x more likely to also divorce.
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Separated Twins |
Raising (identical) twins separately. Thus any differences can be attributed to environment.
Found that even when raised apart, identical twins have very similar tastes, physical appearance, attributes, personality, abilities, interests, attitudes, interests, fears, etc.
There is a lot of criticism: talking about any two random people long enough, bound to find similarities, identical twins tend to be placed in similar homes (thus environment isn't very different). |
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Biological Parents influence... |
Personality. Environment has virtually no impact on personality. |
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Adoptive Parents influence... |
Attitudes, values, manners, faith, politics. |
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Temperament |
A person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity |
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Molecular Genetics |
The sub-field of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
Finding which specific gene influences specific behaviors. |
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Heritability |
The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
Affects GROUPS of people, not individuals. |
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Interaction |
The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another.
In this case: Environment and Heredity. |
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Epigenetics |
The study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.
Factors include: diet, stress, drugs. |
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Evolutionary Psychology |
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection. |
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Natural Selection |
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations. |
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Mutation |
A random error in gene replication that leads to a change. Either positive or negative. |
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Gender |
In psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female. |
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Gender Differences in Sexuality |
Men are more likely to masturbate, initiate sex, watch porn, think about sex. Overall tend to be more open with their sexual history and feelings.
Gay men view sex more similarly to straight men, than they do in comparison with lesbians.
Men tend to have more sex.
Men are also more likely to think a friendly encounter is actually sexual interest (can lead to sexual harassment, or even rape).
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Natural Selection and Mating Preferences |
Main goal: increase chance of successful offspring to carry on genes.
Men: able to impregnate many women at once, and with multiple children, one is bound to survive and thus the man's gene pool continues. This leads to men having more recreational sex, wanting younger/fertile/beautiful partners.
Women: can only have one (usually) child at a time, and are unable to have another child for approx. one year. Thus they tend to more selective and have a more relational approach to sex. This leads to women wanting long term partners, who will also help raise the child. |
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Experience and Brain Development |
Genes dictate brain architecture, ie. provide all neural connections. Experience fills in details, ie. strengthen/delete connections.
Sidenote: touch/massage promotes growth in infants
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Pruning Process |
When neural connections are strengthened or deleted due to experience/use.
Children have the most neural connections and therefore can learn most easily and thoroughly. Adults, for example, can never master a new language, due to limited neural connections and their inability to hear/speak all inflections. |
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Parental Influence |
Parents feel very responsible, proud, guilty over child's actions.
Only have control of approximately 10% of children's difference.
Higher percentage in extreme parenting, like abuse. |
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Peer Influence |
Children want to be liked/included.
Parents influence peers by choosing neighborhood, school, etc. thus limiting friend choices. |
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Examples of Peer Influence in:
Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary |
Preschool: will eat food they dislike if the group they're apart of is eating it.
Elementary: will adopt the accent/slang/etc. of their peers regardless of what is spoken at home.
Secondary: if they smoke, will have friends who smoke. |
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Selection Effect |
Kids seek out friendship in those with similar interests and attitudes. |
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Culture |
The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shard by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next. |
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Norm |
An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe "proper" behavior. |
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Variation Across Culture |
Felt most strongly by those who don't belong/are apart of a different culture.
Culture is barely noticed by natives.
Basic morals are the same for everyone.
Norms vary from culture to culture. |
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Culture Shock |
A feeling when an individual doesn't understand what is expected or accepted |
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Culture Evolution |
Rapid and v. noticeable changes.
For example, in western culture from 1960 to 2015, huge changes: more divorce, depression, working hours and less sleep, family/friends time. |
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Individualism |
Giving priority to one's own goals over group |
