Week 5 - Genetics, Evolution, and Personality

Flashcards based on lecture notes about genetics, behavior, and sociobiology.

Temperament

An inherited personality trait present in early childhood, made up of activity level (vigor and tempo), socialibility, and emotionality.

twin studies and adoption research

give insight into heritability

environmental influences

includes peers, sibling roles, and parental treatment

gene expression

influences how people react in similar environments

Sociobiology

The study of the biological basis of social behavior.

Inclusive fitness

Related to altruism; refers to the idea that individual survival makes people want to pass down their genes or their group’s genes.

Genetic Similarity Theory

The concept that we are attracted to those with more similar genes and tend to form friendships with those who are genetically similar, drawn to those who share our facial and body features.

Assortative mating

The tendency to choose mates on the basis of particular characteristics.

Mate selection (Females)

Females have a greater investment in offspring than males. They see men as success objects and focus more on youth and beauty.

Mate selection (Males)

Males want to maximize sexual opportunities and seek available and fertile mates. They see women as sexual objects and focus more on status, dominance, ambition, and wealth potential.

Jealousy (Men)

Men are more jealous about sexual infidelity and more jealous when the rival is more dominant.

Jealousy (Women)

Women are jealous of emotional bonds with other women and more jealous when the rival is physically attractive.

Young male syndrome

When males face competition for resources, they are more likely to use confrontation and serious violence.

psychpathologies that are more determined by genetics

• schizophrenia

• bipolar disorder

• substance use disorder

• antisocial personality disorder

evolutionary things that influence behaviors

biological (slow)

cultural (fast)