PSYCH LECTURE 2- biological and environmental foundations

biological foundations

foundations of human development are heredity and environment

genotype

genetic makeup, set of genes

chromosome

rodelike structure inside cell nucleus that store and transmit genetic info

autosomes

regular pairs- 22 of 23 pairs

sex chromosomes

23rd pair- determine sex of child

dna

active biochemical substance that programs the cells to manufacture vital protein substances

dominant-recessive

dominant gene in pair overrides recessive gene

incomplete dominance

both dominant and recessive allele are expressed

x-linked inheritance

recessive gene carried on x chromosome, women are protected; men are not

genomic inprinting

genes chemically marked and behave different depending on whether they came from mother or father

polygenic inheritance

multiple genes interact to produce a characteristic

heritability estimates

measure the extent to which individual differences in complex traits in a specific population are due to genetic factors

measuring inheritance

determined through kinship studies-examine patterns of behavior and traits in family members

investigate concordance traits

percentage of instances in which both twins show a trait when it is present in one twin

fraternal twin

two fertilized ovar- share 50% of genes

identical twin

share nearly 100% of genes

gene environment interaction

individual because of their different genetic make up, will differ in their reactions to qualities of environment

evocative genotype

differ genetically based attributes evoke certain responses

niche-picking/active

individual seek out environment that one most compatible with their genetic predispositions

epigenisis

development results from ongoing bidirectional exchange between heredity and all levels of environment

environment

family, peers, school, neighborhood, towns, media, social class, larger cultural context

families can be confronted with

• inadequate housing and dangerous neighborhoods

• household disruptions daily hassels

• fewer likely neighborhood resources

consequences of poverty for child

discipline and parenting, physical health status, socioemotional functioning , cognitive functions

evans and english

examined the environment of poverty testing exposure to multiple risks and their impact

evans and english measurments

3 psychosocial stressors, 3 physical stressor, socioemotional adjustment, chronic stress

evans and english findings

poor children exposed more often to each stressor domain than middle-income, poverty=greater psychological disease

developmental niche

interaction of components that affects what goes on within the microsystems and determines the unique world of the child 3 components; ex. documentary babies

everyday physical and social setting

size and type of living space, sleeping and eating schedules, location, social conditions, daily activities

impact of culture

childcare and child-rearing customs, overall psychology pf caregivers

research example

what is a bad kid? excepted that perceptions of devience, like perceptions or normaly, would be influenced

surveyed 200+ 11th graders and their moms in minneapolis, taipel, taiwan, and japan

asked: think of someone your childs age who you would consider to be a bad kid (responses varied based on culture)