mods 14+15

Heredity

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parent to offspring.

Environment

Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.

Behavior Geneticists

Researchers who study the relative power and limits of heredity and environmental influences on behavior.

Chromosome

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

DNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Genes

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins. ~20,000

Human Genome

The complete instructions for making a human organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that human's chromosomes.

Monozygotic Twins

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

Dizygotic Twins

Fraternal twins that develop from separate fertilized eggs that share a maternal prenatal environment.

Twins Reared Apart

Studies of identical twins raised apart show similarities in tastes, physical attributes, personality, abilities, attitudes, interests, and even fears.

Adoption Studies

Studies that show people who grow up together, whether biologically related or not, do not much resemble one another in personality.

Heritability

The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes.

Identical twins raised apart

A study subject group used to understand the influence of genetics versus environment on personality traits.

Fraternal twins raised in the same environment

A comparison group that may show more similarities due to shared upbringing.

Personality traits heritability

Many personality traits are ~40% heritable.

Intelligence heritability

Intelligence is ~60% heritable.

Height heritability

Height is ~90% heritable.

Genetic influence on intelligence

Genetic influence explains about 66% of the observed variation among people.

Molecular genetics

The study of the molecular structure and function of genes.

Molecular behavior genetics

The further study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior.

Epigenetics

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

Cultural heritage impact

Differences among people are due to their cultural heritage.

Teasing apart environment

Understanding how environmental factors can influence test score differences among individuals with equal heredity.

Environmental factors

Lifestyle, environment, choices, etc. that can directly interact with the genome.

Epi- in epigenetics

Means above or in addition to, indicating how environmental factors influence genetics.

Environmental influences

Factors from the surrounding environment that interact with genetic predispositions.

Gene activity

Can be triggered by environmental factors.

Genetically influenced traits

Traits that can evoke responses from others based on genetic predispositions.

charles darwin

natural selection, evolutionary psychologists

natural selection

the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Darwin's basic principles

Organisms' varied offspring compete for survival.

Certain biological and behavioral variations increase organisms' survival chances in their particular environment.

Offspring that survive are more likely to pass their genes to the next generation.

Over time population characteristics may change.

social scripts (social learning)

culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

biopsychosocial approach

an integrated approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social-cultural levels of analysis to see the behavior/mental processes