2nd Psych Test

Nature vs nurture

Gene influence vs environmental influence

Genes

DNA segments that code for traits

Chromosomes

DNA bundles holding genes

Genome

Full genetic blueprint

Heritability

% of variation due to genes

[Percentage of variation within a population that is due to genes, not environment.
(Does NOT apply to individuals.)]

Epigenetics

Environmental factors that turn genes on or off without changing DNA (Environment affecting gene expression)

Individualistic culture

Independence, personal goals

Collectivistic culture

Group identity & harmony

Cognition

Thinking processes

Metacognition

Thinking about thinking

Concept

Mental grouping of similar items

Prototype

Best example of a concept

Algorithm

Step-by-step guaranteed solution

Heuristic

A mental shortcut that’s quick but can be wrong

Insight

Sudden solution

Confirmation bias

Seeking info that confirms beliefs while ignoring evidence that contradicts them

Fixation

Stuck thinking pattern

Intuition

Automatic, effortless gut feeling or judgment

Belief perseverance

Sticking to beliefs despite evidence

Framing

Wording influences decisions (ex: “90% survive” vs “10% die”)

Ingredients of Creativity

1. Expertise

2. Imaginative thinking skills

3. A venturesome personality

4. Intrinsic motivation

5. A creative environment

Building Blocks of Language

• Phonemes: smallest units of sound
• Morphemes: smallest units of meaning
• Grammar: rules for communication
• Semantics: meaning of words
• Syntax: sentence structure

Phonemes

Smallest units of sound

Morphem

Smallest units of meaning

Grammar

Rules for communication

Semantics

Meaning of words

Syntax

Sentence structure

Noam Chomsky (Famous Linguist)

Proposed that humans have an inborn biological capacity to learn language (universal grammar)

Receptive Language

Understanding words; develops before speaking.

Expressive (Productive) Language

Producing speech; includes babbling, one‑word, two‑word, and telegraphic speech.

Aphasia

Language impairment caused by damage to specific brain areas.

Broca’s area function

Speech production

Broca’s area location 

Located in the left frontal lobe

Broca’s Aphasia

Difficulty producing speech
(Speech is slow, labored, but comprehension is mostly good)

Wernicke’s area function

Language comprehension

Wernicke’s Area location

Located in the left temporal lobe

Wernicke’s Aphasia

Poor understanding of language (Words flow easily but don’t make sense)

Human Cells

46 chromosomes in 23 pairs carrying genetic information

DNA

The molecule that carries genetic instructions

Heredity

Passing traits from parents to offspring through genes

Environment

Everything non-genetic (family, culture, nutrition, experiences)

Twin Studies (Raised Together & Separated)

Used to see how much traits come from genes vs environment by comparing identical and fraternal twins raised together or apart

Identical (Monozygotic) Twins

Genetically identical (Very similar in personality & behavior)

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

Genetically like regular siblings (Share environment but not identical DNA)

Epigenetic Expression

The process where experience leaves chemical “marks” on DNA that affect which genes are expressed

Thomas Bouchard & Nancy Segal – Minnesota Twin Study

Large study of identical twins raised apart, showing strong genetic influence on personality and life choices