Psy 101 Ch. 3

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Chapter 3

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woot! Woot!

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Behavior Genetics

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the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. How much are behavior differences shaped by genetic differences and how much are they shaped by our environments?

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Environment

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any nongenetic influence; prenatal nutrition to people and things around us

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Chromosomes

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threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

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DNA(Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

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complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

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Genes

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biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

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Genome

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the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes

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Identical Twins

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twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

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Nucleus

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inner area of a cell hat houses chromosomes and genes

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Fraternal twins

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twins who develop from separate ferteilized eggs. They are not any genetically closer than brothers and sisters but they DO share a fetal environment.

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Explain the importance of twin studies

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Helps scientists discern whether certain traits are more influenced by heredity or the environment. For example, if a trait(extraversion) is present in both identical twins but only in one fraternal twin that trait may be more influenced by heredity than by environment.

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Purpose of studying separated twins

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Helps scientists discern the effects of heredity in different environments by comparing what traits separated identical twins maintain despite their different environments.

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How are Adoption Studies used to understand effects of environment and heredity

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Because adopted children have the genetic material of biological parents but the environment of their adoptive families it is interesting to study the differences between the child and the biological relatives to determine the influence of heredity. Adopted children tend to resemble biological parents in personality and they resemble their adoptive parents in their values, attitudes, faith, and politics.

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Temperament

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a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

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Twins and Temperament. What conclusions can be drawn as a result?

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Identical twins have more similar temperaments in comparison with fraternal twins. Heritability may predispose temperament differences.

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Heritability

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the extent to which variation among individuals can be attributed to their differing genes. Caution: If the heritability of intelligence is 50% it does NOT mean intelligence is 50% genetic but rather that we can attribute to genetic influence 50% of the observed variation among people. Heritability refers to the extent to which differences among people are attributable to genes.

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Relationship between environments and Heredity

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As enviornments become more similar, heredity as a source of differences necessarily becomes more important. If all environmental factors were equal in a neighborhood, then heritability(differences due to genes) would increase.

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explain whether heritable individual differences can explain group differences.

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heritable individual differences need not imply heritable group differencs. If some individuals are genetically disposed to be more aggressive than others, that doesn'texplain why some groups are more aggressive than others.

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Problem with Nature v. Nurture

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Genes and environment-nature and nurture-work together. Gens not only code for proteins, they also respond to environments. It is not one or the other it is both.

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Interactions

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The effect of one factor(such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

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give an example of gene-enviornment interaction

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A baby is genetically predisposed to be more attractive which encourages a warm and outgoing personality, as the two become older the more naturally outgoing child seeks activities and friends that encourage social confidence.

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Molecular Genetics

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The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.

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What does it mean to say that genes are self regulating

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genes are not blueprints; they react differently in different environments.

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Pro and Cons of Molecular Genetics

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researchers will be able to identify genes that put people at risk for disorders which will allow them to alert parents when a fetus deviates from the norm. however it may create ethical issues if parents choose to abort children that are not 'ideal'

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Evolutionary Psychologists

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the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection. Evolution: survival of the fittest, must be fit to survive to reproduce and to pass on their genes

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natural selection

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Princeiple 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

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random errors in gene replication that leads to a change

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Some effects of natural selection in the development of human characteristics

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Famine is not as harmful because of technology but as a result have inherited genetic legacy of storing fat and decreasing rigorous exercise resulting in obesity;

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Gender

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in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female

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How do men and women differ in attitudes towards sex?

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Men are more approving of casual sex and think about sex more often while women associate affection with sexual activity and view sexual activity as a part of a relationship.

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what are some evolutionary explanatinos for gender differences in sexuality/

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beign attracted to multiple healthy women increasing men's chances of spreading their genes widely. Women search for mates with economic resources and social status with potential for long term mating because they incubate and nurse offspring.

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Criticisms of Evolutionary Explanations of human behavior

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1. start with effect and work backward to explanation; 2. evolutionary perspective underestimates cultural expectations and socialization; 3. evolutionary viewpoint absolves people from taking ethical and moral responsibility for their sexual behavior.

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evolutionary response to criticism

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knowing about predispositions can help us overcome them; predictions based on evolutionary principles are valuable.

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Conditions that can affect development before birth

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prenatal environment: Nutrition; exposure to toxic agents; poistion in the placenta; access to nourishment; protection from viruses

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How can experience modify the brain

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neural connections increase in areas associated with repetitive activities while unused synapses degenerate.

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Is it fair to attribute children's success and failures to parents' influence

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Onlyto an extent. Parents do influence manners, and political and religious beliefs. But in areas such as personality the environment sibling share at home accounts for less that 10% of their differences.

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Norms

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an understtod rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe "proper" behavior. Ex. South Asian's only use right hand's fingers for eating

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personal Space

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the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies. Amount of personal space preferred varies by country.

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Individualism

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giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defiing one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

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Collectivism

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giving priority to the goals of one's group (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly.

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Survival benefits of culture

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shared culture, especially shared language allows people to pass innovations onto the next generation

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how do cultures differ?

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IN their ideas attitudes, values and traditions. These differences are manifested in norms.

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Why can't changes in the human gene pool account for cultural change over time

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Cultures change rapidly. Speed at which cultural changes occur is much faster than slower pace of evolutionary changes in the human gene pool

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Child rearing-Individualist style

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expect members to be independent and think for themselves.

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Child rearing-collectivist style

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emphasize a stronger sense of family self and focuses on emotional closeness

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Aggression

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physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone

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X chromosome

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the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females (2) Males (1)

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Y chromosome

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sex chromosome found only in males. X from mother and Y from father produces a male child.

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Testosterone

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most important of male sex hormones. Both males and femalse have it but the additional testosterone in males stimulates growth of male sex organs in fetus and development of male sex characteristics during puberty.

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Role

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set of expectatinos (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave ex: gender roles

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Gender role

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set of expected behaviors for males and femalse ex: men initiate dates, drive cars, bring home money. Women: decoreate, house care.

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Gender identity

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one's sense of being male or female

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Gender-typing

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the acquisition of a traditional masculine or femenine role

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Social learning theory

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the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished. Gender roles develop from imitation and reinforcement Ex: big boys don't cry, Alex

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Gender Schema Theory

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the theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behaviors accordingly . concepts of maleness and femaleness influence one's perceptions and behaviors. Look at self and world through a 'gender lens' ex; feminine and masculine words 'le train' 'la table'

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Biological differences between males and females

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body fat, muscle, height, age of onset puberty, life expectancy

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Psychological Differences btwn. Men and women

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vulnerability to certain disorders. Men more often diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and women with depression.

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Describe Biopsychosocial approach to development

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Individual development is affected by biological[prenatal environment, individual genetic variations], psychological[gene-environment interaction, responses evoked by individual temperament and gender etc.], and social-cultural{parental, peer, cultural individualism or collectivism] influences.

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Problems with hertiablity

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Trouble discerning what trait is being measured. Are you mesuring basketball ability or height? The two are related. Another problem is that variability would depend on the population used. For instance the heritability of intelligence in princeton vs. the heritability of intelligence amongst babies raised in boxes.

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Diathesis-Stress Model

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Psychological theory that explains behavior as a result of both genetic and environmental factors. Disposition towards a certain disorder may result due to a combination of genetics and early learning. Genetic predisposition interacts with environment(stressors) to trigger behaviors or psychological disorders. The greater the diathesis the less stress needed to trigger teh disorder. Conversely, the less diathesis the more stress required to produce the disorder.

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Biological explanation of diathesis-stress model

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Molecules can bind to DNA and enhance or repress the expression of specific genes.

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What is Ethology/Comparative Psychology

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the study of how humans and animals differ and how animals differ from one another

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Ethologists v. Comparative Psychologists

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Ethologists more concerned with animals in their natural habitat while comparative psychologists study animals in labs

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5 Things Ethologists study

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Language[to what extent do other animals have language], Cooperation[lions hunt in packs while tigers hunt singly], Theory of Mind[how animals can understand what others are thinking], Instincts/Innate Behaviors[rolling eggs up a hill so they can hatch safely], courtship rituals.

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Konrad Lorenz

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"Father of Ethology" imprinting studies on ducks: whatever they see when they first pop out of their shells thy think is their mother.

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Chimpanzees and Cooperation/Competition

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Chimps can use theory of mind with competition but not with cooperation.

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Dogs and Theory of Mind

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Dogs(even those that have not interacted w/humans) have the theory of mind to interact with humans.

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Results of Aggression and Cross-Fostering in Chimps

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Offspring resemble biological mother more than adoptive mother. Conclusion: aggressiveness must have some genetic component

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Cross-Fostering

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Offspring of aggressive mother are raised by less aggressive mother and vice-versa

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Species Differences and Aggression

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Among macaques there is species difference in aggression. Rhesus macaques are more aggressive than stumptailed macaques.

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Cross-Species Exposure and Aggression

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When juvenile Rhesus(violent) macaques were cohoused with stump tails they became less aggressive and engaged in more reconciliation. Conclusion: environment also strongly affects aggression.

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Study that proved dominance hierarchies in baboons

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Forest Troop took a group of baboons living near humans. Originally th dominants were aggressive and the subordinates were stressed. When all aggressive males died from food thrown into the environment by humans, the new males that joined the troop were much less aggressive, the subordinate males were less stressed. ex. males groomed each other. This shows an example of cultural transmission of behavior

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What does Forest Troop's baboon experiment say about aggression?

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The inborn tendency is also strongly influenced by environment. Corresponds with the Diathesis-Stress MODEL

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Fit

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find/harvest resources; avoid predators; avoid illness; reproduce

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How is the brain thought of by Evolutionary Psychologists

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If other organs were evolutionary advantageous such as the stomach and spleen why not the brain?

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How does the waist-hip ratio corrlate with arguments of evolutionary psychologists?

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the .7 waist to hip ratio has been proven to be optimal for childbirth which is why men find this ratio most attractive in women. This measurement is less important for lesbian females and homosexual males.

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Post Hoc Theorizing Game

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One of the main problems with evolutionary psychology. He who hesitates is lost in conjunction with Look before you leap reveals the ability of evolutionary psychology to explain even diametrically opposed behaviors. This results partly because we theorize backwards (observed behavior leads to theory instead of vice versa)