Quiz 8 - Section 9: Biosocial Approaches

Biosocial Approach

hold that humans have brains,
genes, hormones, and an evolutionary history; not popular unitl recenlty it imples bio inferiority

Behavior Genetics

A branch of genetics that studies the relative contributions
of heredity and environment to behavioral and personality
characteristics.

Biosocial Approach

hold that humans have brains,
genes, hormones, and an evolutionary history; not popular unitl recenlty it imples bio inferiority

Behavior Genetics

A branch of genetics that studies the relative contributions
of heredity and environment to behavioral and personality
characteristics.

Heritability

Behavior geneticists quantify the extent to
which genes influence a trait with a measure

Behavior Genetics Theory

A theoretical framework that examines the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping behavior and personality traits.

Gene

environment interaction involves the common-sense
notion that people are differentially sensitive to identical
environmental influences and will thus respond in different
ways to them

What do both G x E and rGE aid in showing

The indirect way that genes help determine what environmental aspects are important to us, and which ones are not

Passive rGE

The positive association between genes and their environments
that exists because biological parents provide children with genes for certain traits and an environment favorable for their expression

Evocative rGE

The way others react to the individual on the basis of his or
her evocative behavior

Active rGE

The active seeking of environments compatible with our genetic
dispositions

The value of genetic studies

They help us to temper and make more sense of traditional
criminological theories.

Genetic influences on antisocial behavior

are modest because traits are psychophysiological properties of
individuals.

Heritabilty estimates

only reveal that genes are contributing to a trait

Molecular genetics

can tell us which genes are contributing to a trait.

Polymorphisms

contribute to differences in physical and behavioral traits.

MAOA gene study

why only about one-half of abused and neglected children became violent adults

Why do several studies point to the importance of studying GxE interactions and rGE relationships

genes modify environments and environments modify genes.

Evolutionary Psychology

Explores human behavior using an evolutionary
framework and seeks to explain it with reference to
human evolutionary history.

Genetics looks for what makes people different

evolutionary psychology focuses on what makes us all the
same

Cheating

Criminal behavior is a way to acquire resources
illegitimately. Evolutionary psychologists refer to such behavior as
cheating.

Cooperation versus non-cooperation

Criminal behavior may be
viewed as defaulting on the rules of cooperation.

The Evolution of Criminal Traits

There are a number of evolutionary theories of
crime, all of which focus on reproductive strategies.

The Neurosciences

Softwiring the Brain by Experience: All our thoughts,
feelings, emotions, and behavior are the results of
communication networks of brain cells called neurons

Reinforcement sensitivity theory

A neurological theory based on
the proposition that behavior is regulated by two opposing
mechanisms.

BAS

Sensitive to reward

BIS

Sensitive to threats of punishment

Behavioral activating system

A neural system that regulates approach behaviors and is responsive to incentives, promoting engagement in goal-related activities.

Behavioral inhibition system

A neural system that regulates avoidance behaviors and is responsive to signals of punishment, promoting withdrawal from potentially harmful situations.

Fetal alcohol syndrome

A condition resulting from alcohol exposure during fetal development, characterized by physical and cognitive impairments.

Gene-environment correlation

The interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors that shapes an individual's behavior and characteristics.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses in the nervous system, playing a crucial role in communication between neurons.

Genotypes

The genetic makeup of an individual that determines specific traits and characteristics.

Polymorphisms

Variations in DNA sequences among individuals that can lead to differing traits or responses.

Prefrontal cortex

The part of the brain involved in complex cognitive behavior, decision making, and moderating social behavior.

Prefrontal dysfunction theory

The hypothesis that impairments in the prefrontal cortex can disrupt cognitive processes, leading to issues with decision making and behavior regulation.

Reinforcement sensitivity theory

A psychological theory that suggests individual differences in sensitivity to reinforcement can influence behavior and personality traits.