AP Psychology 1.1 - Interaction of Hereditary and Environment

Behavioral Genetics

area of biology and psychology that focuses on the transmission of traits (hereditary) that gives rise to and addresses individual differences in behavior, mentality and mental processes

Environment

every nongenetic influence

Heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Heritability

refers to the extent to which the differences among people are attributed to genes

Natural Selection

organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genes to subsequent generations

Mutations

genes that facilitate survival increase and those that have no effect do not

Instincts

stereotyped pattern of behavior that is naturally triggered in a specific situation

Gene

basic unit of heredity, found on chromosomes

Genotype

one’s genetic makeup (nature)

Eugenics

breeding of humans to obtain certain characteristics

Phenotype

one’s actual development and appearance, based on genotype and expression

Reciprocal Determinism

the environment affects the person, then the person reacts, and thus influences the environment

Epigenetics

Environmental pressures can change the activity of genes; those changes can change metabolic processes and behaviors and can be passed on to the next generation

• polygenic

• diathesis

• maturationism

• plasticity

Polygenic

many genes; behavior likely caused by many different genes

Diathesis

psychological disorders have genetic predispositions with an environmental trigger

Maturationism

related to development; all children follow the same genetic pattern when they do it is environmental

Plasticity

the brain changes itself on a cellular level in response to the environment

Kinship/Family Studies

ways in which psychologists compare the presence of traits and behavior patterns in people who are biologically related or unrelated to help determine the role of genetic factors in their occurrence

• twin studies

• adoption studies

Twin Studies

use identical, fraternal and other siblings in studies; differences in identical twins would be due to nurture as their nature is the same

• Findings: strong similarities in physical features, psychological traits and psychological disorders (personality, intelligence, abilities, attitudes, interests, fears, brain waves, heart rate)

Adoption Studies

show stronger similarities to biological parents in genetic traits; bear more resemblance in their outgoingness and agreeableness to their biological parents than to adopted

• Problem: the biological mother contributes to prenatal conditions