04. Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity

Question 1

behaviour genetics

Answer 1

the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Question 2

heredity

Answer 2

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Question 3

environment

Answer 3

nongenetic influences in a person’s life

Question 4

chromosome

Answer 4

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Question 5

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 5

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Question 6

genes

Answer 6

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; small segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

Question 7

genome

Answer 7

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

Question 8

what are the characteristics of identical twins (monozygotic)?

Answer 8

individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

Question 9

what are the characteristics of fraternal twins (dizygotic)?

Answer 9

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings

Question 10

do adopted children benefit from adoption?

Answer 10

yes

Question 11

temperament

Answer 11

a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

Question 12

heritability

Answer 12

the proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes

Question 13

molecular genetics

Answer 13

the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

Question 14

molecular behaviour genetics

Answer 14

the study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behaviour

Question 15

epigenetics

Answer 15

“in addition to” genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expression

Question 16

what is the difference between dna and epigenetics?

Answer 16

“Things written in pen you can’t change. That’s DNA. Things written in pencil you can. That’s epigenetics.”

Question 17

evolutionary psychology

Answer 17

the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

Question 18

natural selection

Answer 18

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

Question 19

mutation

Answer 19

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Question 20

social script

Answer 20

a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

Question 21

culture

Answer 21

the enduring behaviours, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Question 22

norm

Answer 22

an understood rule for accepted and expected behaviour

Question 23

individualism

Answer 23

giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

Question 24

collectivism

Answer 24

giving priority to the goals of one’s group and defining one’s identity accordingly

Question 25

a person’s sex

Answer 25

in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male and female

Question 26

gender

Answer 26

in psychology, the behavioural characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman

Question 27

aggression

Answer 27

any physical or verbal behaviour intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

Question 28

relational aggression

Answer 28

an act of aggression intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing

Question 29

x chromosome

Answer 29

the sex chromosome found in males and females. females have two X chromosomes while males have one

Question 30

y chromosome

Answer 30

the sex chromosome found only in males. when paired with an x chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child

Question 31

testosterone

Answer 31

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

Question 32

estrogen

Answer 32

sex hormones that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than males

Question 33

puberty

Answer 33

the period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing

Question 34

primary sex characteristics

Answer 34

the body structures that make sexual reproduction possible

Question 35

secondary sex characteristics

Answer 35

nonreproductive sexual traits (female breasts, hips, male voice quality and body hair)

Question 36

spermarche

Answer 36

the first ejaculation

Question 37

menarche

Answer 37

the first menstrual period

Question 38

role

Answer 38

a set of expectations about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

Question 39

gender role

Answer 39

a set of expected behaviours, attitudes, and traits for men and women

Question 40

sexual aggression

Answer 40

any physical or verbal behaviour of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

Question 41

gender identity

Answer 41

out sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination of male and female

Question 42

social learning theory

Answer 42

the theory that we learn social behaviour by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

Question 43

gender typing

Answer 43

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

Question 44

androgyny

Answer 44

displaying both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics

Question 45

transgender

Answer 45

an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-assigned sex