04. Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity Flashcards
behaviour genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
heredity
the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring
environment
nongenetic influences in a person’s life
chromosome
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; small segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
what are the characteristics of identical twins (monozygotic)?
individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
what are the characteristics of fraternal twins (dizygotic)?
individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings
do adopted children benefit from adoption?
yes
temperament
a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
molecular behaviour genetics
the study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behaviour
epigenetics
“in addition to” genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expression
what is the difference between dna and epigenetics?
“Things written in pen you can’t change. That’s DNA. Things written in pencil you can. That’s epigenetics.”
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
natural selection
the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
social script
a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
culture
the enduring behaviours, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
norm
an understood rule for accepted and expected behaviour
individualism
giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications
collectivism
giving priority to the goals of one’s group and defining one’s identity accordingly
a person’s sex
in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
gender
in psychology, the behavioural characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman
aggression
any physical or verbal behaviour intended to harm someone physically or emotionally
relational aggression
an act of aggression intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing
x chromosome
the sex chromosome found in males and females. females have two X chromosomes while males have one
y chromosome
the sex chromosome found only in males. when paired with an x chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child
testosterone
the most important male sex hormone. males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of male sex characteristics during puberty
estrogen
sex hormones that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than males
puberty
the period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing
primary sex characteristics
the body structures that make sexual reproduction possible
secondary sex characteristics
nonreproductive sexual traits (female breasts, hips, male voice quality and body hair)
spermarche
the first ejaculation
menarche
the first menstrual period
role
a set of expectations about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
gender role
a set of expected behaviours, attitudes, and traits for men and women
sexual aggression
any physical or verbal behaviour of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally
gender identity
out sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination of male and female
social learning theory
the theory that we learn social behaviour by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
gender typing
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
androgyny
displaying both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics
transgender
an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-assigned sex
