Week 3- Epigenetics, Evolutionary Theories, and the Nature-Nurture Question

A comprehensive vocabulary review covering introductory psychology lecture notes on environmental connections, epigenetic mechanisms, evolutionary psychology theories, and the nature-nurture debate.

SDG 14

A Sustainable Development Goal centered on life below water, dedicated to protecting oceans, seas, and marine biodiversity.

Comparative Cognition

The study and comparison of thinking and mental processes in humans and non-human animals.

Epigenetics

The study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence.

Epigenetic Marks

Molecular features that include covalent DNA modifications and posttranslational histone modifications.

DNA Methylation

The best understood epigenetic modification influencing gene expression, which primarily occurs at cytosine followed by guanine.

Histone Acetylation

One of the most studied histone modifications, comprising an important epigenetic mark related to gene expression.

Methylation

An epigenetic mechanism noted in lecture as opening up the DNA to be coded.

Demethylation

An epigenetic mechanism noted in lecture as closing up the DNA to not be coded.

Rett Syndrome

A condition caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene that increases anxiety, social withdrawal, and cognitive effects.

Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS)

A condition caused by a mutation in the CBP gene that decreases histone acetylation and leads to cognitive dysfunction.

HDAC Inhibitors

Therapeutic agents that increase histone acetylation and may improve memory or reduce depression-related behaviours.

Dietary Methyl Donors (L-methionine)

Substances that can alter DNA methylation and were shown in rat studies to reverse some effects of poor maternal care on stress responses.

Evolution

Change over time; the development of certain traits and behaviors over time because they are advantageous.

Natural Selection

A primary mechanism of evolution wherein certain attributes make an organism better than another.

Adaptations

Attributes that change to make an organism better.

Survival Adaptations

A major class of adaptations that facilitate survival, such as sweat glands or shivering mechanisms.

Sexual Selection

The evolution of characteristics because of the mating advantage they give organisms.

Intrasexual Competition

A process of sexual selection by which members of one sex compete with each other, and the victors gain preferential mating access to members of the opposite sex.

Intersecual Competition

A process of sexual selection by which evolution (change) occurs as a consequence of the mate preferences of one sex exerting selection pressure on members of the opposite sex.

Gene Selection Theory

The theory that genes develop and persist if they are better able to encourage the organism to reproduce.

Psychological Adaptations

Mechanisms of the mind that evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction, conceptualized as information processing devices.

Sexual Strategies Theory

The theory that humans have evolved a list of different mating strategies, both short-term and long-term, that vary depending on culture, social context, parental influence, and personal mate value.

Minimum Parental Investment

The baseline investment required to produce offspring; high in women (carrying a child for 9 months, creating high risk and high mating standards) and low in men (the act of sex, creating low risk and possible low mating standards).

Error Management Theory (EMT)

A theory that deals with the evolution of how humans think, make decisions, and evaluate uncertain situations where there is no clear answer for how to behave.

Nature-Nurture

The debate regarding the extent to which particular aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited (genetic) or acquired (learned) influences.

Adoption Study

A major empirical research design used to investigate nature-nurture questions by observing individuals raised apart from biological parents.

Twin Study

A major empirical research design used to study the relative influences of genetics and environment on human traits and behavior.