1.1 - Interaction of Heredity & Environment

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior

Any observable action performed by an organism.

Mental process

Internal, subjective experiences such as sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.

Central principle of psychology

The idea that everything psychological is also biological.

Nature-nurture issue

The debate regarding the contributions of genetics (nature) and experience (nurture) to psychological traits and behaviors.

Natural selection

The principle that inherited traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to future generations.

Evolutionary psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind through natural selection.

Behavior genetics

The study of the influence of genetic and environmental factors on behavior.

Nurture

The environmental influences that shape an individual's development.

Mutation

A random error in gene replication that can lead to changes in traits.

Genome

The complete set of genetic instructions for making an organism.

Identical twins

Twins that develop from a single fertilized egg and are genetically identical. (monozygotic)

Fraternal twins

Twins that develop from separate fertilized eggs and share a prenatal environment. (dizygotic)

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression without altering DNA.

Gene-environment interaction

The interplay between heredity and environment in shaping individual traits and behaviors.