psych unit 1 vocab 1

nature nurture

assuming that we inherit character and intelligence and that certain ideas are inborn

evoluntionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principals of natural selection

behavior genetics

the study of the relative power and limits of genetics and environmental influences of behavior

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

identical twins

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings, but they shared a prenatal enviornment

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another factor

epigenetics

“above” or “in addition to” genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression