Nature and Nurture

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the nature versus nurture debate, genetics, cultural dimensions, and significant themes in psychology as discussed in the lecture.

Nature

Refers to the genetic or hereditary factors that influence behavior or traits.

Nurture

Refers to environmental influences and experiences that shape behavior or traits.

Genotype

The set of genes that an individual has inherited.

Phenotype

The observable physical and behavioral characteristics of an individual.

Behavioral Genetics

The study of how individual differences in behavior are related to genetics and environment.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can change gene expression.

Twin Studies

Research methods that compare the traits of identical twins to those of fraternal twins to assess genetic influences.

Adoption Studies

Research methods that examine children adopted at birth to assess genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Heritability

A measure of how much of the variability in a trait among individuals in a population is due to genetic differences.

Individualism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes the independence and self-reliance of individuals.

Collectivism

A cultural orientation that prioritizes group goals and interdependence among individuals.

Cultural Intelligence

The ability to adapt to and understand different cultural contexts.

Natural Selection

The process where individuals with traits better suited for their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Sexual Strategies Theory

A model that explains how differences in parental investment between males and females lead to different reproductive strategies.

Phenotypic Variation

The observable differences in traits among individuals due to genetic and environmental factors.

Molecular Genetic Studies

Research approaches that analyze the DNA of individuals to find associations between genetic variations and traits or behaviors.

Free Will vs. Determinism

A philosophical debate on whether humans have control over their actions (free will) or if behavior is determined by genetics and environment (determinism).

Mind-body Problem

A philosophical question regarding the relationship between mental states and physical states.

Gene-Environment Interactions

The complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences on traits or behaviors.