Is Personality More Nature or More Nurture? Behavioral and Molecular Genetics

gene

basic biological unit that transmits characteristics from one generation to the next

instincts

complex inborn patterns of behaviors that help ensure survival and reproduction

behavioral genetics

variety of research techniques that scientists use to learn about the genetic and environmental influences on human behavior by comparing the traits of biologically and nonbiologically related family members

family study

starts with one person who has a train of interest and examines the individual's family tree to determine the extent to which other members of the family also have the trait

twin study

researchers study the personality characteristics of twins; data from many pairs of twins are collected and the rates of similarity for identical and fraternal pairs are compared

adoption study

compares biologically related people who have been reared either separately or apart

molecular genetics

study of which genes are associated with which personality traits