PSYC 1101 Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity for Exam 2

behavior genetics (Ch. 4 Pg. 134)

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

environment (Ch. 4 Pg. 134)

every nongenetic influence. from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.

chromosome (Ch. 4 Pg. 134)

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) (Ch. 4 Pg. 134)

a molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

genes (Ch. 4 Pg. 134)

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes: segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.

genome (Ch. 4 Pg. 135)

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes.

identical twins (monozygotic twins) (Ch. 4 Pg. 135)

develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

fraternal twins (dizygotic twins) (Ch. 4 Pg. 136)

develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters, but they share a prenatal environment.

temperament (Ch. 4 Pg. 140)

a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

heritability (Ch. 4 Pg. 140)

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.

molecular genetics (Ch. 4 Pg. 142)

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.

molecular behavior genetics (Ch. 4 Pg. 142)

the study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior.

epigenetics (Ch. 4 Pg. 142)

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

evolutionary psychology (Ch. 4 Pg. 144)

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

natural selection (Ch. 4 Pg. 144)

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

mutation (Ch. 4 Pg. 145)

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.

social script (Ch. 4 Pg. 150)

culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations.

interaction (Ch. 4 Pg. 151)

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

culture (Ch. 4 Pg. 155)

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

norm (Ch. 4 Pg. 156)

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. They prescribe "proper" behavior.

individualism (Ch. 4 Pg. 157)

giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.

collectivism (Ch. 4 Pg. 157)

giving priority to the goals of one's group (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly.

sex (Ch. 4 Pg. 161)

in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define males and females.

gender (Ch. 4 Pg. 161)

in psychology, the socially influenced characteristics by which people define men and women.

aggression (Ch. 4 Pg. 162)

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally.

relational aggression (Ch. 4 Pg. 162)

an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing.

X chromosomes (Ch. 4 Pg. 165)

the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.

Y chromosomes (Ch. 4 Pg. 165)

the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.

testosterone (Ch. 4 Pg. 165)

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.

puberty (Ch. 4 Pg. 165)

the period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing.

primary sex characteristics (Ch. 4 Pg. 165)

the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible.

secondary sex characteristics (Ch. 4 Pg. 165)

nonproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair.

spermarche (Ch. 4 Pg. 166)

first ejaculation.

menarche (Ch. 4 Pg. 166)

the first menstrual period.

disorder of sexual development (Ch. 4 Pg. 167)

an inherited condition that involves unusual development of sex chromosomes and anatomy.

role (Ch. 4 Pg. 167)

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.

gender role (Ch. 4 Pg. 167)

a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females.

gender identity (Ch. 4 Pg. 168)

our sense of being male, female, or a combination of the two.

social learning theory (Ch. 4 Pg. 168)

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished.

gender typing (Ch. 4 Pg. 168)

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.

androgyny (Ch. 4 Pg. 169)

displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics.

transgender (Ch. 4 Pg. 169)

an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth sex.

Put the following cell structures in order from smallest to largest: nucleus, gene, chromosome (Ch. 4 Pg. 135)

gene, chromosome, nucleus

When the mother's egg and the father's sperm unite, each contributes 23 _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 135)

chromosomes

How do researchers use twin and adoption studies to learn about psychological principles? (Ch. 4 Pg. 140)

Researchers use twin and adoption studies to understand how much variation among individuals is due to genetic makeup and how much to environmental factors. Some studies compare the traits and behaviors of identical twins (same genes) and fraternal twins (different genes, as in any two siblings). They also compare adopted children with their adoptive and biological parents. Some studies compare traits behaviors of twins raised together or separately.

Those studying the heritability of a trait try to determine how much of the person-to-person variation in that trait among members of a specific group is due to their differing _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 141)

genes

How are Belyaev and Trut's breeding practices similar to, and how do they differ from, the way natural selection normally occurs? (Ch. 4 Pg. 145)

Over multiple generations, Belyaev and Trut selected and bred foxes that exhibited a trait they desired: tameness. This process is similar to naturally occurring selection. but it differs in that natural selection normally favors traits (including those arising from mutations) that contribute to reproduction and survival.

Would the heritability of aggressiveness be greater in Belyaev and Trut's foxes, or in a wild population of foxes? (Ch. 4 Pg. 145)

Heritability of aggressiveness would be greater in the wild population, with its greater genetic variation in aggressiveness.

How do evolutionary psychologists explain sex differences in sexuality? (Ch. 4 Pg. 150)

Evolutionary psychologists theorize that females have inherited their ancestors' tendencies to be more cautious, sexually, because of the challenges associated with incubating and nurturing offspring. Males have inherited an inclination to be more casual about sex, because their act of fathering requires a smaller investment.

What are the three main criticisms of the evolutionary explanation of human sexuality? (Ch. 4 Pg. 150)

(1) It starts with an effect and works backward to propose an explanation. (2) Unethical and immoral men could use such explanations to rationalize their behavior toward women. (3) This explanation may overlook the effects of cultural expectations and socialization.

What is the selection effect, and how might it affect a teen's decision to drink alcohol? (Ch. 4 Pg. 155)

Adolescents tend to select out similar others and sort themselves into like-minded groups. This could lead a teen who wants to experiment with drinking alcohol to seek out others who already drink alcohol.

How do individualist and collective cultures differ? (Ch. 4 Pg. 161)

Individualists give priority to personal goals over group goals and tend to define their identity in terms of their own personal attributes. Collectivists give priority to group goals over individual goals and tend to define their identity in terms of group identifications.

Adolescence is marked by the onset of ___________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 167)

puberty

What are gender roles, and what do their variations tell us about our human capacity for learning and adaptation? (Ch. 4 Pg. 170)

Gender roles are social rules or norms for accepted and expected behavior for females and males. The norms associated with various roles, including gender roles, vary widely in different cultural contexts, which is proof that we are very capable of learning and adapting to the social demands of different environments.

How does the biopsychosocial approach explain our individual development? (Ch. 4 Pg. 172)

The biopsychosocial approach considers all the factors that influence our individual development; biological factors (including evolution and our genes, hormones, and brain), psychological factors (including our experiences, beliefs, feelings, and expectations), and social-cultural factors (including parental and peer influences, cultural individualism or collectivism, and gender norms).

The threadlike structures made largely of DNA molecules are _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 174 #1)

chromosomes

A small segment of DNA that codes for particular proteins is referred to as a _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 174 #2)

gene

When the mother's egg and the father's sperm unite, each contributes

a. one chromosome pair. b. 23 chromosomes. c. 23 chromosome pairs. d. 25,000 chromosomes. (Ch. 4 Pg. 174 #3)

b. 23 chromosomes.

Fraternal twins result when

a. a single egg is fertilized by a single sperm and then splits. b. a single egg is fertilized by two sperm and the splits. c. two eggs are fertilized by two sperm. d. two eggs are fertilized by a single sperm. (Ch. 4 Pg. 174 #4)

c. two eggs are fertilized by two sperm.

_____________ twins share the same DNA. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #5)

Identical

Adoption studies seek to understand genetic influences on personality. They do this mainly by

a. comparing adopted children with non adopted children. b. evaluating whether adopted children's personalities more closely resemble those of their adoptive parents or biological parents. c. studying the effect of prior neglect on adopted children. d. studying the effect of children's age at adoption (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #6)

b. evaluating whether adopted children's personalities more closely resemble those of their adoptive parents or biological parents.

From the very first weeks of life, infants differ in their characteristic emotional reactions, with some infants being intense and anxious, while others are easygoing and relaxed. These differences are usually explained as differences in _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #7)

temperament

_____________ is the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #8)

Heritability

Epigenetics is the study of the molecular mechanisms by which _____________ trigger or block genetic expression. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #9)

environments

Behavior geneticists are most interested in exploring _____________ (commonalities/differences) in our behaviors. Evolutionary psychologists are most interested in exploring _____________ (commonalities/differences). (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #10)

differences; commonalities

Evolutionary psychologists are most likely to focus on

a. how individuals differ from one another. b. the social consequences of sexual behaviors. c. natural selection of the fittest adaptions. d. twin and adoption studies. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #11)

c. natural selection of the fittest adaptions.

Individualist cultures tend to value _____________; collectivist cultures tend to value _____________.

a. interdependence; independence b. independence; interdependence c. group solidarity; uniqueness d. duty to family; personal fulfillment (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #12)

b. independence; interdependence

Psychologist define _____________ as the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define males and females. The socially influenced characteristics by which people define men and women is _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #13)

sex; gender

Females and males are very similar to each other. But one way they differ is that

a. females are more physically aggressive than males. b. males are more democratic than females in their leadership roles. c. girls tend to play in small groups, while boys tend to play in large groups. d. females are more likely to commit suicide. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #14)

c. girls tend to play in small groups, while boys tend to play in large groups.

A fertilized egg will develop into a boy if it receives a/n _____________ chromosome from its father. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #15)

Y

Primary sex characteristics relate to _____________; secondary sex characteristics refer to _____________.

a. ejaculation; menarche b. breast and facial hair; ovaries and testes c. emotional maturity; hormone surges d. reproductive organs; nonreproductive traits (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #16)

d. reproductive organs; nonreproductive traits

On average, girls begin puberty at about the age of _____________, boys at about the age of _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #17)

11; 12

An individual who is born with sexual anatomy that differs from typical male or female anatomy has a _____________ _____________ _____________ _____________. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #18)

disorder of sexual development

Gender role refers to our

a. personal sense of being male or female. b. culture's expectations about the "right" way for males and females to behave. c. birth sex -our chromosomes and anatomy. d. unisex characteristics.

(Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #19)

b. culture's expectations about the "right" way for males and females to behave.

When children have developed a _____________ _____________, they have a sense of being male, female, or a combination of the two. (Ch. 4 Pg. 175 #20)

gender identity