Nature vs Nurture --> Reflexes

Module 1.1

•Nature vs. nurture issue – The debate over whether human traits are primarily shaped by genetics (nature) or environment and experience (nurture).

•Natural selection – The evolutionary process where traits that aid survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on.

•Evolutionary psychology – The study of how natural selection shaped behavior and mental processes over time.

•Mutations – Random genetic changes that may result in new traits, sometimes beneficial for survival.

•Behavior genetics – The study of how genes and environment influence differences in behavior.

•Environment – Every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to social surroundings.

•Heredity – The genetic transfer of traits from parents to offspring.

•Genes – Units of heredity made of DNA that influence development and traits.

•Genome – The complete set of genetic instructions for an organism.

•Fraternal twins – Twins who develop from separate eggs; genetically no closer than siblings.

•Identical twins – Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg, genetically identical.

•Thomas Bouchard – Psychologist known for studying identical twins raised apart to explore nature vs. nurture.

•Biological vs. adoptive relatives – Comparing traits between genetic relatives and adoptive relatives helps reveal the roles of genes vs. environment.

•Gene–environment interaction – When the effects of genes depend on the environment, and vice versa.

•Epigenetics – Study of how environmental factors can turn genes on or off without changing DNA.

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Module 1.2

•Nervous system – The body’s communication network, consisting of all nerve cells.

•Central nervous system (CNS) – The brain and spinal cord; the body’s decision-making system.

•Peripheral nervous system (PNS) – The network of sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS to the body.

•Nerves – Bundles of axons that carry signals in the PNS.

•Sensory neurons (afferent) – Neurons that carry incoming information from sense receptors to the CNS.

•Motor neurons (efferent) – Neurons that carry outgoing information from the CNS to muscles and glands.

•Interneurons – Neurons within the CNS that connect sensory and motor neurons.

•Somatic nervous system – Controls voluntary muscle movements.

•Autonomic nervous system – Controls involuntary body functions (e.g., heartbeat, digestion).

•Sympathetic nervous system – Arouses the body for action (fight-or-flight).

•Parasympathetic nervous system – Calms the body and conserves energy (rest-and-digest).

•Reflexes (reflex arc) – Automatic, simple responses to sensory stimuli, bypassing the brain.