Module 8: Behavior Genetics and Evolutionary Psychology – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
behavior genetics
answer
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior (weighing the effects and interplay of heredity and environment)
question
environment
answer
every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us; this triggers gene activity
question
chromosomes
answer
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules
question
DNA
answer
deoxyribonucleic acid; molecules that contain our genetic information
question
genes
answer
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein; they are self-regulating
question
identical twins
answer
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg; these twins are genetically identical
question
fraternal twins
answer
twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs; they are genetically no more similar than ordinary siblings
question
genetic relatives
answer
biological parents and siblings
question
environmental relatives
answer
adoptive parents and siblings
question
temperament
answer
emotional excitability or a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity (e.g. difficult, easy, slow-to-warm-up); identical twins have more similar temperaments; temperament also provides building blocks for our enduring personality
question
interaction
answer
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
question
selection effect
answer
the principle that as we grow older we select environments well suited to our natures
question
evolutionary psychology
answer
the study of the roots of behavior and mental processes using the principles of natural selection; these psychologists focus mostly on what makes us as humans so much alike
question
natural selection
answer
Charles Darwin's famous principle that says among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
question
mutations
answer
random errors in gene replication
question
genome
answer
our common genetic profile
question
second Darwinian revolution
answer
the application of evolutionary principles to psychology
question
gender
answer
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New