nature vs nurture

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid

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

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

genes

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

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes. It has 3 billion weakly bonded pairs of nucleotides organized as coiled chains of DNA

gene complexes

It influences human traits and they are many genes acting in concert

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

evolutionary psychologist

study the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection. Natural selection has favored genes that designed both behavioral tendencies and information

gender

in psychology, the characteristics, whether biologically or socially influenced, by which people define male and female

behavior genetics

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

environment

every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things round us

identical twins

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

fraternal twins

twins who develop from separate eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

temperament

a person`s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes.

interaction

the dependence of the effect of one factor (such as environment) on another factor (such as heredity)

molecular genetics

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

culture

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

norm

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior ("proper"behavior)

personal space

the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies

memes

self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person

X chromosome

the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two of these; males have one

Y chromosome

the sex chromosome found only in males.

testosterone

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it. It stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

role

a set of expectations (norms) about social position, defining how those in the position out to behave

gender role

a set of expected behaviors for males and for females

gender identity

one`s sense of being male or female

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine of feminine role

social learning theory

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

gender schema theory

the theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly