Ch 3 genes culture and gender

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of how human cognition and behavior evolve based on natural selection.

Natural Selection

Traits that increase survival and reproduction are passed to future generations.

Universal Human Goals

Survival and reproduction are the core drives behind human behavior.

Culture

Shared behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions passed from generation to generation.

Epigenetics

The study of how genes interact with the environment to influence behavior.

Norms

Social rules and expectations for behavior.

Individual Choices

Some cultures emphasize personal freedom, while others emphasize group conformity.

Expressiveness

Cultural variations in emotional expression, from high expressiveness to reserved behavior.

Punctuality

Cultural attitudes toward timekeeping, which can range from strict to relaxed.

Personal Space

Cultural differences regarding comfort levels with physical closeness.

Friendship Norms

Universal expectations of loyalty, honesty, and respect across cultures.

Trait Dimensions

Basic personality traits that exist across cultures, such as the Big Five traits.

Sex vs. Gender

Sex refers to biological differences, while gender refers to socially constructed roles and expectations.

Gender Roles

Expected behaviors for males and females based on cultural norms.

Traditional Hypergamy Ideal

The cultural expectation in some societies for women to marry men of higher socioeconomic status.

Incest Taboo

A universal prohibition against sexual or marital relationships between close relatives.

Status Norms

Hierarchical structures and expectations for respect found in all societies.