AP Psychology Chapter 3 - Nature Nurture & Human Diversity

Evolutionary Psychology

studies behaviours, emotions, and thinking capacities that help us survive

Parent, Peers, and Culture

influence beliefs, values, interests, etc.

Environment

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

Behaviour geneticists

study our differences and weigh the relative effects of heredity and environment. the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behaviour

chromosome

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

DNA

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

gene

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 that organism's chromosomes

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 fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment

Minnesota Twin Study

seeks to study the genetic and environmental influences on the development of psychological traits

Temperament

a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

Heritability

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Interactions

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

Molecular Genetics

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

evolutionary psychologists

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

natural selection

the principal 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

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to change

gender

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

Conditions That Can Affect Development Before Birth

-prenatal environments differ in terms of nutrition and exposure to toxic agents

-even twins can have unequal access to nourishment

How Can Experience Modify the Brain

-childs neural connections increase in areas associated with repetitive activity

-unused synapses degenerate

-growth in synapses continues throughout life

culture

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

norms

an understood rule for accepted and expected behaviour. norms prescribe "proper" behaviour

personal space

the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies

individualism

giving priority to one's own goals over group goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

collectivism

giving priority to the goals of one's group (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly

aggression

physical or verbal behaviour intended to hurt someone

x chromosome

the sex chromosome found in both men and women. females have two x chromosomes; males have one. an x chromosome from each parent produces a female child

y chromosome

the sex chromosome found only in males. when paired with an x chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child

Gender differences in social power

some cultures, men are socially more dominant

men occupy more leadership positions

Biological differences between males and females

genetic make up is similar (45 of 46 chromosomes are unisex)

differ in body fat, muscle, height, age on onset puberty, and life expectancy

How are humans similar, despite their cultural differences

share same genetic profile, life cycle, capacity for language, biological needs, and a need to belong

Child rearing in individualistic cultures

expect their members to be independent. rearing practices reflect those values

Child rearing in collectivist cultures

emphasize a stronger sense of family self

tend to focus more on developing a sense of emotional closeness

Describe why changes in the human gene pool cannot account for culture change over time?

culture changes much faster than evolution.

Peer Influence on development

children attempt to fit into groups by conforming, also seek those who share their attitudes and interests

parents and peers are complementary influences in children's lives

Name a few influences parents make on their child

education, discipline, responsibility, orderliness, charitableness and ways of interacting

Name a few influences peers make on children

cooperating with others, popularity, appropriate styles of interaction