RUSSO 3C CRAM

behavior genetics

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

environment

every non-genetic influence from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes; have total of 46

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

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

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

active genes

genes that are expressed or seen

inactive genes

genes that are not expressed

genomes

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

identical twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins

twins who develop from seperate fertilized eggs; genetically no closer than brothers and sisters

Thomas Bouchard

studied twins reared apart; same in personality, intelligence, heart rate, and brain waves

attitudes, values, manners, faith, and politics

areas in which adopted children are influenced by their adoptive parents

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes; varies depeding on the range of populations and environments studied

interaction

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

molecular genetics

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

evolutionary psychologists

focus on what makes us so much alike as humans

natural selection

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

mutations

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Steven Pinker

believes that behaviors that contribute to survival are found throughout cultures; some outdated- sweets and fats, appendex

male mating preferences

youthful appearance, healthy, fertile, small waist, smooth skin; child bearing

female mating preferences

mature, dominant, bold, affluent; support and protect

behavior genetics

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

environment

every non-genetic influence from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes; humans have a total of (46)

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

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

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

active genes

genes that are expressed or seen

inactive genes

genes that are not expressed

genomes

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

identical twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs; genetically no closer than brothers and sisters

Thomas Bouchard

studied twins reared apart; found similarities in personality, intelligence, heart rate, and brain waves

attitudes, values, manners, faith, and politics

areas in which adopted children are influenced by their adoptive parents

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes; varies depending on the range of populations and environments studied

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor depends on another; specifically how environment affects heredity

nature via nurture

the modern perspective that heredity and environment work together (rather than nature vs nurture)

molecular genetics

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

evolutionary psychologists

focus on what makes us so much alike as humans

natural selection

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

mutations

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Steven Pinker

believes that behaviors that contribute to survival are found throughout cultures; noted some traits are outdated (e.g., cravings for sweets and fats)

male mating preferences

youthful appearance, healthy, fertile, small waist, smooth skin; indicators of child-bearing capability

female mating preferences

mature, dominant, bold, affluent; indicators of ability to support and protect offspring

epigenetics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without changes to the DNA sequence; genes can be turned on or off by experiences

gene–environment interaction

the interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in producing a trait or behavior

gene–environment correlation

the idea that our genes influence the environments we are exposed to; we create and select environments compatible with our genetic tendencies

heritability coefficient

a numerical estimate (0.0 - 1.0) of the extent to which variation in a trait is attributable to genetic factors within a population

shared environment

environmental factors that siblings share and that make them similar, such as family income, parenting style, and home life

nonshared environment

experiences unique to the individual that contribute to differences among siblings, such as peer groups, trauma, or illness

adoption studies

research comparing adopted children to their biological and adoptive parents to assess genetic versus environmental influences

twin studies

research comparing identical and fraternal twins to determine the relative influence of genes and environment

polygenic traits

traits influenced by many genes acting together, such as height, intelligence, or skin color

reaction range

the range of possible expressions of a trait determined by genes; the environment determines where within that range the trait will fall

biological preparedness

an inherited predisposition to learn certain behaviors more easily because they were adaptive for survival

evolutionary fitness

the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment

sexual selection

a type of natural selection focusing on traits that increase mating success

culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group and transmitted across generations

universality

the idea that certain psychological traits and behaviors are shared by all humans due to common evolutionary ancestry

behavior geneticist

a psychologist who studies the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

nature

the genetic and biological influences on behavior, traits, and development

nurture

the environmental influences on behavior, including upbringing, culture, education, and experiences

nature–nurture debate

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions of genes (nature) and environment (nurture) to human behavior

twin studies (schizophrenia)

research showing that identical twins are more likely than fraternal twins to both develop schizophrenia, demonstrating strong genetic influence but not genetic determinism

genetic predisposition

an inherited tendency to develop a trait or disorder under certain environmental conditions

diseases influenced by heredity

conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, schizophrenia, and alcoholism that are affected by genetic factors and environment

personality traits strongly influenced by genes

traits such as extraversion, emotional stability (neuroticism), temperament, and intelligence

evolutionary psychology

the study of how natural selection shaped psychological traits that enhanced survival and reproduction

reproductive success

the ability to pass one’s genes to the next generation

sexual selection

a type of natural selection focusing on traits that increase mating success

gender roles

social expectations for male and female behavior that developed through evolutionary pressures

evolution of gender roles

traditional male and female roles evolved due to differences in reproduction, child-rearing, and survival demands

chromosome differentiation

the process by which sex chromosomes determine biological sex and influence physical development

DNA differentiation

variations in DNA sequences that lead to individual differences

gene differentiation

differences in gene expression that result in variation among individuals

chromosome contribution at fertilization

each parent contributes 23 chromosomes, forming a total of 46

zygote

the fertilized egg formed when sperm and egg unite, containing a full set of chromosomes

trait heritability in twin studies

the degree to which variation in a trait is attributed to genetic differences using twin comparisons

concordance rate

the percentage of twin pairs in which both twins share a trait or disorder

environmental influence on schizophrenia

stress, prenatal complications, and life experiences can trigger the disorder in genetically predisposed individuals