The Biological Basis of Behavior

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the biological basis of behavior, focusing on the interplay between genetics and environment.

Psychology

The science of behavior and mental processes.

Behavior

Anything an organism does that can be observed, such as yelling, smiling, or blinking.

Mental Processes

Internal, subjective experiences like sensations, perceptions, dreams, and thoughts.

Nature-Nurture Issue

The controversy over the contributions of genes and experience to the development of psychological traits and behaviors.

Natural Selection

The principle that inherited traits enabling an organism to survive and reproduce are more likely to be passed on to subsequent generations.

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Behavior Genetics

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Mutation

A random error in gene replication that leads to change.

Genome

The complete instructions for making an organism.

Heredity

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Identical Twins

Twins that develop from a single fertilized egg, resulting in genetically identical organisms.

Fraternal Twins

Twins that develop from separate fertilized eggs and are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings.

Epigenetics

The study of molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression.

Gene-Environment Interaction

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (environment) depends on another factor (heredity).