Unit 1 pt 3

What does the nature vs. nurture debate explore?

It explores whether we are shaped more by our genes (nature) or our experiences (nurture).

What is meant by 'nature' in the context of the debate?

Nature refers to our genetic makeup, including the DNA passed down from our parents.

What does 'nurture' encompass in the nature vs. nurture debate?

Nurture encompasses everything from our family and friends to our culture and experiences.

How do nature and nurture interact in shaping behavior?

Both nature and nurture interact to influence our behavior and mental processes.

What is the role of genes in determining height?

Genes set potential height, but environmental factors like nutrition influence the actual outcome.

What is the evolutionary perspective on behavior?

It suggests that behaviors have evolved over time because they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

What is natural selection?

Natural selection is the process where traits that enhance survival are passed on to future generations.

What are monozygotic twins?

Monozygotic twins are identical twins that come from one fertilized egg and share 100% of their genes.

What are dizygotic twins?

Dizygotic twins are fraternal twins that come from two separate eggs and share about 50% of their genes.

What is behavior genetics?

Behavior genetics is the study of how much our genes and environment affect our behavior.

What does epigenetics study?

Epigenetics studies how environmental factors can influence gene expression without changing the DNA itself.

What can epigenetic marks affect?

Epigenetic marks can affect the expression of any gene in the DNA segment they influence, and begin in the womb

What is the impact of environmental influences on gene expression?

Environmental influences can trigger changes in gene activity, affecting traits and behaviors.

What is eugenics?

Eugenics is the controversial idea of improving human populations through selective breeding and controlling reproduction.

What were some key problems associated with the eugenics movement?

The movement targeted marginalized groups, involved forced sterilizations, and violated human rights.

How did the eugenics movement misinterpret genetics?

It oversimplified genetics by assuming complex traits were determined by single genes, while we now know these traits are influenced by multiple factors

What is the significance of twin studies in understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Identical twins have a higher risk of both being diagnosed with ASD compared to fraternal twins.

What findings support the influence of genetics on personality traits?

Identical twins show more similarity in personality traits than fraternal twins, even when raised apart.

What is the relationship between adopted children and their adoptive parents?

Adopted children often share political views, values, and attitudes with their adoptive parents, indicating environmental influence.

What is the role of genetic predisposition in behavior?

Genetic predisposition can influence the environment a person seeks, affecting their behavior.

What does the term 'diathesis' refer to in psychology?

Diathesis refers to a genetic predisposition that may influence an individual's behavior or response to the environment.

How can stress affect gene expression?

Stress can turn certain genes on or off, influencing health and behavior.

What is the significance of environmental experiences in epigenetics?

Life experiences can lay down epigenetic marks that affect gene expression throughout an individual's life.

What is the importance of understanding both nature and nurture in psychology?

Understanding both factors helps explain the complexity of human behavior and mental processes.

How do genes and environment interact in shaping traits?

Genetic traits can trigger responses from the environment that affect gene activity and overall behavior.

Diathesis

genetic predisposition, could influence the environment you seek

Twin studies

Comparing identical twins (raised together and apart) with fraternal twins to see how much behavior is genetic vs. environmental.

Adoption Studies

Examining if adopted children are more like their biological or adoptive parents.

Family Studies

Analyzing shared traits among relatives.

Why do psychologists use twins to study the genetic causes of human behavior?

If monozygotic (MZ) twin sets share more similarity in a trait than dizygotic (DZ) twins, the trait has a genetic component

Research findings on identical vs fraternal twin personality

Identical twins are more likely to share personality traits, even when raised apart, compared to fraternal twins

Findings on adopted children’s views

Adopted children tend to have the same political views, values, manners, attitudes & religious faith as their ADOPTED parents, though behaviors may also have a genetic component.

Genes

The basic units of heredity.

Genome

The complete set of genetic instructions for an organism.

the brainstem

MEDULLA, PONS & RETICULAR FORMATION

Where the human body's "cross-wiring" is based

thalamus

Considered part of the forebrain because it links information to the CEREBRAL CORTEX (lobes) in the forebrain

= The reticular formation begins in the hindbrain (medulla and pons), extends upward through the middle of the brain, and ends at the thalamus.

the hindbrain

brainstem, cerebellum, thalamus

limbic system

amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens

medulla

controls heart rate & breathing

pons

pathway for messages re: movement between the frontal lobes & cerebellum; it also controls blinking & swallowing & regulates REM (dream) sleep. It blocks messages to your muscles as you dream.

reticular formation

regulates conscious awareness or arousal, keeps you alert, and helps you switch from being awake to being asleep. If it is severed, a person will fall into a coma

thalamus

serve as a sensory transfer station and receives all sensory messages other than smell and sends them to the appropriate brain region for processing.

cerebellum

helps you stay balanced and coordinated, by helping your muscles work together, is in charge of muscle memory and making classical conditioning associations, helps you judge time & different types of music.

amygdala

processes strong emotions, especially ANGER & ANXIETY

have 2, above hippocampus, in temporal lobes

HIPPOCAMPUS

processes verbal, conscious learning & memory

have two hippocampi, which lie deep in the interior of your temporal lobes

NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS

a pleasure center

hypothalamus

regulates homeostasis or internal balance in the body, sends signals related to hunger or thirst, body temperature regulated, links the central nervous system with the endocrine system of glands, triggers the fight or flight response, contains dopamine reward circuit, regulates circadian rhythm

lobes

frontal lobes

Hearing, speech comprehension (left) & facial & object recognition (right)

occipital lobe

vision

parietal lobe

Planning, decision-making, Voluntary movement & speech production (left only = speech)

TEMPORAL LOBES

Touch, Navigation

cerebrum

made up of the two hemispheres of your brain.

covered by a layer of cells called the cerebral cortex that conducts advanced functions, which is subdivided into the 4 lobes.

broca’s area

speech production, is in left frontal lobe

wernicke’s area

speech comprehensio; in the LEFT temporal lobe.

facial fusiform gyrus

facial recognition; in the RIGHT temporal and occipital lobes

In the left temporal and occipital lobes, individual traits are processed and sent to the right part of the brain.

Damage to this area from a lesion or stroke often leads to face blindness, called prosopagnosia. People with this condition struggle to recognize familiar faces, even though their sight is otherwise normal.

prosopagnosia

face blindness

What do ASSOCIATION AREAS do in your 4 lobes?

Association areas LINK newer and older information to allow you to recognize sights, sounds, textures, etc!

aphasia

speech impairment

Broca's aphasia

Inability to speak clearly & fluently but CAN understand others' speech; Called "non-fluent aphasia"

Wernicke's aphasia

Inability to understand others' speech but CAN produce sounds; Called "fluent aphasia"

neuroplasticity

the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

lesion

tissue destruction, used in brain research

EEG (electroencephalogram)

How it works: Electrodes placed on the scalp measure the electrical activity (brain waves) generated by neurons. What it shows: General electrical patterns and waves across the brain surface; can reveal activity related to specific stimuli or correlate with conditions like depression and anxiety.

MEG (magnetoencephalography)

How it works: A head coil measures the tiny magnetic fields produced by the brain's natural electrical currents (inside a special magnetically shielded room). What it shows: The speed and strength of magnetic fields to track how specific tasks or trauma-related images influence brain activity.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

How it works: Takes X-ray photographs of the head from various angles. What it shows: Structural images of the brain that can reveal brain damage, injuries, or abnormalities that predict cognitive impairments.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

How it works: Tracks where a temporarily radioactive form of glucose (chemical fuel) goes while a person performs a task. What it shows: Hot spots of brain activity indicating which areas are consuming the most glucose during specific tasks, math calculations, or emotional states.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

How it works: Uses a strong magnetic field and radio-wave pulses to align and momentarily disorient atoms in brain molecules, which then emit signals as they return to normal spin. What it shows: Detailed anatomical structures and soft tissues of the brain (e.g., enlarged ventricles in schizophrenia or brain volume differences in musicians).

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

How it works: Measures localized changes in blood flow by comparing continuous, successive MRI scans. What it shows: Brain function in real-time by tracking where oxygen-laden blood rushes when a person performs tasks, views scenes, or processes trauma.

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)

How it works: Shines infrared light onto blood molecules to identify and track brain activity. What it shows: Brain function and blood oxygen changes using portable equipment (like a large backpack) in field settings or difficult-to-reach populations.

lateralization

Hemispheric Specialization

left hemi and right hemi

LEFT RIGHT

= linguistic, literal, logical, details = Rtistic, emotional, big picture  

Speech production (frontal lobe = Broca's area)  Facial, object recognition; "insight" (temporal lobe)

Language comprehension (Wernicke's area)  Visual-spatial reasoning

Later: Logical reasoning  Intuitive reasoning

Convergent thinking = 1 answer Divergent thinking / creativity 

= Algebra (solve for x) = multiple possible answers, brainstorming

= Geometry

= MCQs, AAQs = English essays 

Split-brain surgery

involves severing (cutting) the corpus callosum, a band of fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the brain without cutting the brainstem. Cutting the corpus callosum stops seizures, but ALSO prevents communication between the two halves of the brain! They act as two independent brains! *However, cross-wiring still occurs due to the intact brainstem, so the left hemisphere controls the right half of the body and vice-versa!