psychology

Genetics in Psychology

The study of biological mechanisms contributing to individual differences in behavior, cognition, and physical traits.

Evolutionary Psychology

A field that examines universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes evolved over long periods.

Behavioral Genetics

A field that studies how individual differences emerge through gene-environment interactions.

DNA

The molecule that holds genetic information and is composed of sequences that determine traits.

Gene

A specific sequence of DNA that controls a particular trait.

Allele

A variation of a gene.

Genotype

The underlying genetic makeup of an individual.

Phenotype

The observable physical and behavioral traits expressed by an individual.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a trait.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait.

Dominant Allele

An allele expressed in the phenotype when at least one copy is present.

Recessive Allele

An allele expressed only when an individual is homozygous recessive.

Polygenic Inheritance

Inheritance of traits determined by multiple genes.

Mutation

A sudden, permanent alteration in a gene that can provide survival advantages.

Sickle Cell Anemia

A recessive genetic disorder characterized by crescent-shaped red blood cells.

Heterozygote Advantage

The condition where carriers of one allele have a survival advantage in certain environments.

Range of Reaction

A concept that suggests genetic makeup sets boundaries for potential traits, influenced by the environment.

Genetic-Environmental Correlation

The bidirectional influence between genes and the environment.

Epigenetics

The study of how environmental triggers can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.

Diathesis-Stress Finding

An observation that individuals with high genetic risk for disorders are more likely to develop them in stressful environments.