Video Notes Main Ideas

MODULE 1

Overview:

• What is the debate?

• Why are nature and nurture hard to pull apart?

• Behavior genetics

Module 1 Notes:

• MISUNDERSTANDING #1: Nature vs Nurture debate is sometimes framed as an either/or question

  • NOT how you approach it, it is a mix of both

• Behavior geneticists study what amount of variability in people’s behaviors are caused by genetic differences and the what amount is caused by the environment

• MISUNDERSTANDING #2: Nature vs Nurture has Moral Implications???

  • It would be bad if genetics totally dictates certain behaviors

• Watson thought that behavior is entirely malleable

• Skinner and Walden 2: Thought that human traits are entirely formed by our environment

GRAPH INTERPRETATIONS:

• A perfectly diagonal line means you can 100% guess the prediction

• flat line = unrelated

EGALITARIAN COUNTRIES:

• Egalitarian countries (parts of Europe), wealth and nutrition are typically equally distributed so genetics will play a larger role in explaining the differences between people

• In less egalitarian countries (countries where there’s wealth disparities), nutrition plays a strong role

Module 2 Early Learning

Overview:

• What is learning?

• Language Learning & Billingualism

• Preschool, Screentime, music lessons

NOTES:

• just like nature and nurture, kids that develop narcissism can go both ways, parents could be responsible, but genetics too

• RCT groups - randomized controlled trials

• Strange Situation Task:

  • Secure attachment: avoids stranger if alone, not with mother

  • ambivalent attachment: always avoids stranger

  • avoidant attachment: plays with stranger

Module 3: Moral Development

Overview:

• Golden Rule and Empathy

• Lying

• Impulse control

• praise, punishment, religion, & family structure

Module 4: Psychological & Physical Health

Overview:

• Autism

• Vaccination

• The Origin of Vaccination Fears

• Infant sleep

• Breastfeeding & Alternative Diets

Module 5: Later Learning

Overview:

• The Achievement Gap

• Gender Differences

• Learning Styles & Effective Study Habits

• Acceleration & Grade Skipping

• Homeschooling