Heredity, Behavior, and Mental Processes

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to heredity, behavior, and mental processes from the lecture notes.

Heredity

The genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Nature

The influence of genetic predisposition and biological factors on behavior and mental processes.

Nurture

The influence of environmental factors such as family interactions, education, and diet on behavior.

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Adaptation

In evolutionary terms, traits that improve an organism's chances of survival and reproduction.

Eugenics

A pseudoscientific belief in improving the genetic quality of a population through selective breeding.

Twin Studies

Research involving identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to assess genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Family Studies

Research investigating genetic links among siblings, parents, or children regarding health or disease traits.

Adoption Studies

Research comparing the similarities of biological and adoptive parent-child pairs to examine genetic and environmental influences on development.

Monozygotic Twins

Identical twins that arise from a single fertilized egg that splits into two embryos.

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that develop from two separate fertilized eggs.