Behavioral Genetics

Psych, Unit 2 Part 1 C

DNA

The hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms

Genes

Made up of sequences of DNA and are arranged, one after another, at specific locations on chromosomes

Chromosomes

a DNA molecule that contains the genetic information for an organism, composed of the organism's DNA and special proteins

genome

the complete set of DNA (genetic material) in an organism

Identical v. Fraternal twins

Fraternal twins happen when two different eggs are fertilized by two different sperm, they come from two separate zygotes, so they each have different genes.

Identical twins are the result of one zygote that splits in two

Adoption Studies

Adoption studies are research studies that compare an adopted person's behavior to both their biological and adoptive parents' behavior

Heritability

a measure of how well differences in people's genes account for differences in their traits

Interaction

“any process that involves reciprocal stimulation or response between two or more individuals.” This could be through family relationships such as between parent and child; personal relationships

Molecular genetics

the study of the molecular structure of DNA, its cellular activities (including its replication), and its influence in determining the overall makeup of an organism

Epigenetics

how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work

Evolutionary Psych

the study of behavior, thought, and feeling as viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology.

All human behaviors reflect the influence of physical and psychological predispositions that helped human ancestors survive and reproduce.

Natural Selection

Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success

Mutations

Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment. Can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect.

Social Script

a series of behaviors, actions, and consequences that are expected in a particular situation or environment. Just like a movie script we know what to expect in many social settings