ch 4 nature and nurture

genes

biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes

chromosomes

threadlike coils of DNA

human genome

shared genetic profile that distinguishes humans from other species

male is

XY

female is

XX

The human genome consists of

46 chromosomes in 23 pairs

behavior genetics

the field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity and environment on individual differences in human traits and development

heredity

Passing of traits from parents to offspring (nature)

environment

every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us (nurture)

process of genetics

genes -> DNA -> Chromosomes -> Genome

what do twins tell us about behavior genetics

looks at the nature aspect and how much it affects our behavior.

what are the studies of twins tested to look at genes and the environment?

identical vs. fraternal twins

twins separated at birth

adoptive vs. biological parents

identical vs. fraternal twins

identical twins are more alike than fraternal twins (in personality, behaviors, and intelligence)

separated at birth

There are similarities between identical twins even what raised apart

studies conducted on adopted children for whom biological parents are known

adoptive children seem to be more similar to genetic parents than environment

temperment

a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

GENETICALLY INFLUENCED

types of temperament

1. easy (cheerful, predictable) 2) difficult (intense, irritable)

Heritability

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.

example of heritability

A percentage of genes (group of people) human height; different in different countries

interaction

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

example of interaction

genetic marker for extroversion, people treat you differently (invite you to parties) so you become more extroverted

molecular behavior genetics

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

molecular genetics

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

example of molecular genetics

NATURE - study genetics; what is the gene for cancer?

Epigenetics

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

example of epigenetics

NURTURE - one carries the gene for obesity but is not obese (due to environment)

prenatal

before birth

postnatal

after birth

juvinile

childhood

adult

taking care of yourself

evolutionary psychology

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

mutations

changes in the genetic material

evolutionary psychologists

focus mostly on what makes us so much alike as humans

natural selection

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

adaptive flexibility

responding to different environments contributes to the ability to survive and reproduce

humans have a _______ or genome

common genetic profile

universal moral grammar

idea shared across cultural differences

EX: idea of good vs. bad is based on our genes and experiences

why are men more promiscuous?

they have this trait of promiscuity in order to reproduce

why are women less promiscuous?

would not increase the number of babies born; would have survival threats

mating preferences (men)

prefer women with signs of future fertility (narrow waist and fuller figure; young!)

mating preference (women)

men with loyal behavior and physical/social power and resources

who has the power in mating?

women seek to ensure offspring survival while men choose to optimize change of producing offspring. THUS women have the power and will be picky

social learning theory

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

how does nature and nurture shape the synapse

Unused connections are pruned away and we have more room for important information

different synapse based on environment

impoverished = not connected neuron

rich = connected neuron

A trained brain

activates more motor cortex neurons; before train - brain was less active; after training - more active

Freudian psychiatry and society

blamed the negative behaviors of a child on the "bad mother."

In personality measures, shared environmental influences from prenatal development accounts for

less than 10% of children's differences

complementary influences

parents and peers

peers influence

cooperation skills, popularity, choices of recreation (ex music), clothing and culture choices, habits

parents influence

education and career path, cooperation, self-discipline, responsibility, charitableness, religion, interaction style with authority figure

culture

the patterns of ideas, attitudes, and values shared by a group and passed between generations

cultural shock

the feeling lost about which behavior is appropriate (ex: moving to a new country)

cultural variations (current)

language, gender equality, people sleep less, socialize less, and stare at screens more, the pace of life is quicker, marry more for love but expect romance.

individualistic

independent, distinct, separate (WEST)

value independence

Collectivism

the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it. (EAST)

value interdependence

dispositional attribution

attributing behavior to the person's disposition and traits

situational attribution

attributing behavior to the environment

sex

biologically influenced characteristics which people define boy, girl, man, and woman

gender

socially influenced characteristics that are culturally associated with male and female roles and identity

gender is the product of?

the interplay among a person's biological disposition, development, and current situation

men are likely to

develop alcoholism, 4 times more likely to commit suicide, develop autism, color blindness, ADHD, antisocial personality disorder

women are likely to

enter puberty sooner and live 5 years longer, 70% more fat and 20% less muscle, 5 inches shorter, twice risk of developing depression, 10 times more likely to develop eating disorder

aggression

typically in men; an act intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

relational aggression

typically in women; physical or verbal intended to harm person's relationship or social standing

Minor physical aggression

men and women equal

extreme violent acts

men commit more than women

relational aggression

women are more likely than men

interaction style

men offer opinions; women offer support

group leadership

Typically assigned to males

salaries

Higher salaries paid to men in traditional occupations (ex; office work)

elections

Women less successful than men

World governing bodies

78 percent of seats held by males

Religiosity

Men are less religious and pray less; BUT men tend to have religious leadership

by age 50

Most parent-related differences subside / change of roles

similarities between men and women

creativity, intelligence, emotions

biology influences gender through

genetics and physiological

genetics

male and females have different sex chromosomes

physiologically

males and females have differing concentration of sex hormones

prenatal sexual development

23rd chromosome pair: Mother=X; father = X or Y

Around 7th week: Y chromosome engages testes to develop and produce testosterone

Between 4th and 6th month: Sex hormones in fetal brain support female or male wiring

gender role

a set of EXPECTED behaviors for males or for females

shift over time and place

gender identity

our SENSE of being male or female

example of gender role

women are domestic

example of gender identity

personal sense of being transgender

example of social learning theory

boy wears a dress and play with dolls. Father tells him never to do that again. Boy learns to act less feminine

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

example of gender typing

in Leslie's classroom, girls spent more time in housekeeping, art, and reading corners. The boys gathered more often in spaces devoted to blocks, woodworking, and active play.

gender schema theory

The theory that gender-role development is influenced by the formation of schemas, categories/concepts, of masculinity and femininity.

Androgyny

displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics

transgender

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