Nature, Nurture, & Human Diversity

Chapter 4

behavior genetics

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

heredity

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

environment

every non-genetic influence from prenatal nutrition to people and things around us

what re the building blocks of our body

protein molecules

chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes

DNA

a complex molecule that contains genetic information 

genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes

genome

the complete instructions for making an organism consisting of all the genetic material in that organisms chromosomes

polygenetic

influenced by many genes that have a small effect

identical itwin

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

fraternal twins

developed from separated fertilized eggs

separated twins

switched one set of twins with one of another set

genetic relatives

biological parents and siblings

environmental relatives

adopted parents and siblings

temperament

a persons characteristic emotion reactivity and intensity

heritablilty

the proportion of variation among individuals in a group that can attribute to genes

interaction

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

molecular behavior genetics

the study of how the structure of function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

molecular genetics

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

genome wide association studies

study the genome of a large group of people to find genetic variations associated with a trait or behavior

epigenetics

above or in addition to genetics the study of molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expression

epigenetic marks

molecules that trigger or block genetic expression

evolutionary psychology

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

natural selection

the principle that inherited traits enabling an organism to survive

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

the second darwin revolution

the application of evolutionary principles to psychology

social scripts 

a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

culture

the enduring behaviors ideas attitudes and values shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to another

norms

understood rules for acceptable behaviors

loose culture

places with flexible and informal norms

tight culture

places with clearly defined and reliably imposed norms

individualism

a cultural pattern that emphasizes peoples own goals over group goals and defines identity mainly in terms of unique personal attributes

collectivism

a cultural pattern that prioritizes the goal of important groups

sex

biological characteristics that define male or female

gender

the behavioral characteristics that people associate with

intersex

processing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth

agression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

relational aggression

an act of aggression intended to harm a persons relationship or social standing

genetically

we have different sex chromosomes

physiologically

different concentration of sex hormones

X-chromosomes

sex chromosome; females have 2 and males have 1

Y-chromosomes

sex chromosome found in males

testosterone

the most important male sex hormone; both genders have it but it stimulates males sex organs

estrogens

sex hormone that contributes to female sex characteristics

puberty

the period of sexual maturation when a person usually becomes capable of reproducing

primary sex characteristics

the body structures that make sexual reproduction possible

secondary sex characteristics

non-reproductive sexual traits

spermarche

the first ejaculation

menarche

the first menstral period

intersex

a mix of both x and y chromosomes and anatomy

What is Klinefelter syndrome

males born with multipule x and y chromosomes

What is turner syndrome

females born with only one x chromosome

-may not be able to have children

role

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

gender roles

a set of expected behaviors attitudes and traits for men and women

sexual aggression

any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

gender identity

our personal sense of being male female neither or some combination of male and female

social and learning theory

we learned social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

androgyny

blending traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics

transgender

people whose gender identity differs from that associated with the sex assigned at birth

sexual orientation

the direction of one’s sexual attraction