Chapter 4 Psyc – Flashcards
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environment
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every nongenetic influ- ence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.
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chromosome
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threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
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What's DNA?
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deoxyribonucleic acid
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DNA
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(deoxyribonucleic acid) a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
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Genes
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small segments of the giant DNA molecules the biochemical units of hered- ity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesiz- ing a protein.
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• Put the following cell structures in order from smallest to largest: nucleus, gene, chromosome
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gene, chromosome, nucleus
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When the mother's egg and the father's sperm unite, each contributes 23_____
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chromosomes
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genome
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the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes.
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chimp is ___
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96% the same as humans
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Complex traits
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intelligence, happiness, and aggres- siveness
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behavior genetics
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the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
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Identical twins
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twins who develop from a single (monozygotic) fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
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Fraternal twins
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twins who develop from separate (dizygotic) fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.
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genetic relatives
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biological parents and siblings
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environmental relatives
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adoptive parents and siblings
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How do researchers use twin and adoption studies to learn about psychological principles?
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Researchers compare the traits and behaviors of identical twins (same genes) and fraternal twins (sharing half their genes—similar to any sibling). They also compare adopted children with their adoptive and biological parents. Some studies compare twins raised together or separately. These studies help us determine how much variation among individuals is due to genetic makeup and how much to environmental factors
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temperament
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a person's characteris- tic emotional reactivity and intensity.
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molecular genetics
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he subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
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heritability
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the proportion of varia- tion among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
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Those studying the heritability of a trait try to determine how much of our individual variation in that trait is due to our ____
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genes
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How do heredity and environment work together?
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Our genetic predispositions and our surrounding environments interact. Environments can trigger gene activity, and genetically influenced traits can evoke responses from others. The field of epigenetics studies the influences on gene expression that occur without changes in DNA.
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epigenetics
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the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change
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Epigenetics
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Study of environmental factors that affect how our genes are expressed
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Molecular genetics
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Study of the structure and function of specific genes.
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Behavior genetics
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Study of the relative effects of our genes and our environment on our behavior.
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interaction
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the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
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epigenetics
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the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.
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evolutionary psychology
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the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
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natural selection
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the principle 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.
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mutations
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a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
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How are Belyaev and Trut's breeding practices similar to, and how do they differ from, the way natural selection normally occurs?
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Over multiple generations, Belyaev and Trut have been selecting foxes that exhibit the desired trait of tameness and breeding them to produce tame foxes. This is similar to the process of natural selection, except these breeders were seeking tameness, and natural selection, which also includes mutation, normally favors traits that lead to reproductive success.
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Would the heritability of aggressiveness be greater in Belyaev and Trut's foxes, or in a wild population of foxes?
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Heritability of aggressiveness would be greater in the wild population, with its greater genetic variation in aggressiveness.
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gender
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in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.
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Behavior geneticists are most interested in exploring (commonalities/differences) in our behaviors, and evolutionary psychologists are most interested in exploring (commonalities/differences).
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differences; commonalities
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How do evolutionary psychologists explain gender differences in sexuality?
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Evolutionary psychologists theorize that women have inherited their ancestors' tendencies to be more cautious, sexually, because of the challenges associated with incubating and nurturing offspring. Men have inherited an inclination to be more casual about sex, because their act of fathering requires a smaller investment.
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What are the three main criticisms of the evolutionary explanation of human sexuality?
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(1) It starts with an effect and works backward to propose an explanation. (2) Unethical and immoral men could use such explanations to rationalize their behavior toward women. (3) This explanation may overlook the effects of cultural expectations and socialization.
