PSYCH UNIT 1

Nature vs. Nurture

name for a controversy in which it is debated whether genetics or environment is responsible for driving behavior

natural selection

traits that enhance survival get passed on

mutations

random changes in DNA lead to new traits

identical twins (monozygotic twins)

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings, but shared a prenatal environment.

behavior genetics

The study of how much our genes and environment affect our behavior

genes

the basic units of heredity

genomes

complete set of genetic instructions for an organism

Epigenetics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

eugenics

aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population, historically through promoting the reproduction of people with desired traits

evolutionary psychology

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

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 around us

Heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

interaction

the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)