Nature vs. Nurture in Behavior Genetics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the nature-nurture debate and behavior genetics.

Nature-Nurture Question

The debate on whether genetics or environment has a greater influence on human behavior.

Behavior Genetics

The scientific field that studies the role of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Heritability Coefficient

A statistic that measures how strongly differences among individuals are related to differences among their genes.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins that develop from a single fertilized egg and share the same DNA.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs and share about 50% of their DNA.

Gene-Environment Interaction

The phenomenon where genetic differences affect behavior only under certain environmental circumstances.

Adoption Study

Research that examines the similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive parents.

Quantitative Genetics

A field of study that analyzes how much of a trait is due to genetics as opposed to environmental factors.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can cause changes in the way genes are expressed.

G x E (gene-environment interaction)

A concept that describes how genetic predispositions may manifest differently depending on the environmental context.

Conceptual Problems in Behavioral Genetics

Difficulties in defining the relative contributions of nature and nurture due to the complex interplay of both.

Free Will Problem

Philosophical question regarding the extent to which humans have control over their actions amidst genetic and environmental influences.

Mind-Body Problem

The philosophical inquiry into the relationship between consciousness and the physical brain.

Conclusions of Nature vs. Nurture Studies

The realization that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to behavior and that they interact in complex ways.

Nature-Nurture Question

The debate on whether genetics or environment has a greater influence on human behavior.

Behavior Genetics

The scientific field that studies the role of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Heritability Coefficient

A statistic that measures how strongly differences among individuals are related to differences among their genes.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins that develop from a single fertilized egg and share the same DNA.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs and share about 50% of their DNA.

Gene-Environment Interaction

The phenomenon where genetic differences affect behavior only under certain environmental circumstances.

Adoption Study

Research that examines the similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive parents.

Quantitative Genetics

A field of study that analyzes how much of a trait is due to genetics as opposed to environmental factors.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can cause changes in the way genes are expressed.

G x E (gene-environment interaction)

A concept that describes how genetic predispositions may manifest differently depending on the environmental context.

Conceptual Problems in Behavioral Genetics

Difficulties in defining the relative contributions of nature and nurture due to the complex interplay of both.

Free Will Problem

Philosophical question regarding the extent to which humans have control over their actions amidst genetic and environmental influences.

Mind-Body Problem

The philosophical inquiry into the relationship between consciousness and the physical brain.

Conclusions of Nature vs. Nurture Studies

The realization that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to behavior and that they interact in complex ways.

Passive Gene-Environment Correlation

When biological parents provide both genes and an environment to their children that is correlated with the children's genetic predispositions. For example, musically talented parents create a musical home environment.

Evocative Gene-Environment Correlation

When an individual's genetically influenced behaviors elicit particular reactions from others. For example, a disobedient child evokes negative responses from parents.

Active Gene-Environment Correlation

When individuals seek out or create environments that are correlated with their genetic predispositions, also known as niche-picking. For example, an extroverted person actively seeks out social situations.

Molecular Genetics

A field that studies the structure and function of genes at a molecular level, often identifying specific genes associated with behavioral traits.