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44 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
assumption of representativeness |
the assumption that identical twins are typical of the population on the specific characteristic under investigation, an assumption behind the double-the-difference between MZ and DZ twins reared apart measure of heritability |
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alleles |
alternative forms of the same gene that occurs in pairs, one inherited from each birth parent
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active genotype-environment correlation |
when people with a certain genotype seek out a specific environment because of their personality |
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behavioural genetics |
the study of genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in personality and behaviour |
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dizygotic twins |
fraternal twins, sharing about 50% of their genes with each other. Are created when 2 different sperm fertilize 2 different eggs leading to the development of genetically distinct fetuses |
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dialectic |
a way of thinking in which contradictions are seen to be part of a higher truth rather than as opposing forces |
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environmentality |
the amount of observed individual differences in characteristic that can be accounted for by environmental differences
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equal environments assumption |
the assumption that identical twins are not treated more aline than fraternal twins, an assumption behind the double-the-difference between MZ and DZ twins reared apart measure of heritability
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epigenetic |
the study of how the environment changes the function of genes without changing the genes themselves
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genotype |
the genetic makeup that codes for a specific trait |
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genes |
a sequence of DNA that codes for a specific trait |
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genotype-environment interaction |
when people respond differently to the same environment due to their differing genetic make up |
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genotype-environment correlation |
when a genotype is exposed differently to an environment; when personality affects the environments people find themselves in. may be passive, reactive or active |
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heritability |
the amount of observed individual differences in a characteristic that can be accounted for by genetic differences |
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monozygotic twins |
identical twins, exact duplicates of each other. Created when a fertilized egg splits into two or more identical parts, each of which develops into a fetus |
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MZA twins |
identical twins who were separated at birth and raised in different environments |
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mendelian inheritance |
a pattern of inheritance named after Gregor mendel in which one trait dominates over another recessive trait that is later manifested in successive generations |
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non shared environment |
unique environmental influences and experiences of individual cohabitation relative (such as twins) that result in behavioural differences between them |
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negative genotype-environment correlation |
when a genotype is exposed differently to an environment that is unfavourable for developing certain characteristics. For example, an environment may discourage the development of certain personality characteristics |
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phenotype |
the manifestation of the genes; the observable physical or psychological trait which is coded by the genes |
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positional cloning |
a possible way of preventing inherited diseases by replacing defective genetic code with corrected code that matches the gene as closely as possible |
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passive genotype-environment correlation |
when a genotype is exposed to an environment but has done nothing to obtain the environment |
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positive genotype-environment correlation |
when a genotype is exposed differently to an environment that is favourable for developing certain characteristics. For example, an environment may encourage the development of certain personality characteristics |
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reactive genotype-environment correlation |
when the environment responds to certain personalities because of their genotype |
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shared environment |
aspects of the family environment that are generally the same for all the children living in the same household, including physical, psychological and social aspects |
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selective placement |
the assumption that adopted families of MZ twins raised apart are different from each other, that the identical twins were not purposely placed in similar environments, an assumption behind the measure of heritability |
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Autonomic nervous system |
regulates smooth muscles including inner organs, cardiac muscle, and glands. includes sympathetic division and parasympathetic division |
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ascending reticular activating system |
a pathway transmitting signals from the limbic system and hypothalamus to the cortex. Activation here can make a person alert and mentally sharp
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arousability |
in physiology, how reactive people are to stimulation: an important difference between extraverts and introverts. Unisexuality, the capacity to become aroused to sexual stimuli
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anhedonia |
lack of positive emotion; a loss of or inability to experience pleasure that may or may not be accompanied by the presence of negative emotions
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behavioural approach system |
brain system associated with stimuli that are enticing, pleasurable and rewarding and the personality characteristics of optimism, impulsiveness, addictive behaviours, high-risk impulsive behaviours and mania. Makes a person more sensitive to rewards |
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behavioural inhibition system |
brain system associated with conflicts that may cause feelings of anxiety, worry, rumination, risk assessment, vigilance, a sense of possible danger, and a sense of loss. May be related to OCD or generalized anxiety. When activated, people become more sensitive to punishment |
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boredom susceptibility |
the need for change and variety and an aversion to routine and sameness. One of the four sub scales of the Sensation Seeking Scale |
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central nervous system |
the brain and spinal cord |
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computerized tomography |
a high-resolution x ray picture of thin slices of brain tissue, formerly called a computer axial tomography (CT) scan |
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challenge test |
a technique to identify NT function in which researchers administer a drug with a known effect on a specific NT and monitor the impact of the drug on reactions that are thought to be related to the NT |
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disinhibition |
the extent to which people have lowered social inhibitions and enjoy letting loose in the company of others without a thought about decorum, proper behaviour, or social norms. Often takes the form of alcohol use, partying and sex. Is one of the 4 subclass of Sensation seeking scale |
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electromyography |
a measure of muscle activity during contacting and relaxation |
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electroencephalogram |
identifies electrical activity in the brain through electrodes placed on the scalp |
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evoked potential |
electrical activity in a specific brain cell or group of brain cells in response to an external stimulus |
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experience seeking |
the desire for moderate arousal through different kinds of experiences involving both the mind and the sense, perhaps through music, travel, or an unconventional lifestyle. One of the 4 sub scale of the sensation seeking scale |
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functional magnetic resonance imaging |
a high resolution 3D picture of brain activity over time using blood oxygen levels. Colour enhancement is used to identify amount of activity across many regions of the brain |
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fight-flight-freeze system |
the brain system associated with fear and reactions ti aversive stimuli and the personality characteristics if fearfulness, avoidance, phobias and panic disorders |
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galvanic skin response |
a measure of arousal using sweat |