bio approach- 2.C genetics and behaviour

Question 1

5.Kaati et al. (2007)

Answer 1

Generalisability: Moderate – the study focused on a specific population (Overkalix), but the findings on epigenetics may apply to other populations.

Reliability: High – the use of historical records and advanced statistics makes it robust.

Applicability: High – the findings help us understand how environmental factors (e.g., famine) can have transgenerational effects, which is useful for epigenetics research.

Validity: High internal validity – the study controlled for confounding variables like literacy and landownership.

Ethics: No major ethical issues, but genetic studies raise concerns about privacy and confidentiality.

Strength: Provides strong evidence for transgenerational epigenetic effects.
Limitation: The study does not explain the molecular mechanisms behind the findings.

Question 2

6.Waterland and Jirtle (2003)

Answer 2

Generalisability: Low – the study used mice, so findings may not fully apply to humans.

Reliability: High – the controlled lab conditions make it replicable.

Applicability: High – the findings show how diet can alter gene expression, which could be useful for treating genetic disorders.

Validity: High internal validity – the study used a controlled experiment to establish cause and effect.

Ethics: Ethical concerns about animal use, but the study followed the “3 Rs” (Reduce, Replace, Refine).

Strength: Provides strong evidence for epigenetics and the impact of diet on gene expression.
Limitation: The findings may not apply to humans, and the study does not explain which other genes were affected.

Question 3

7.Curtis et al. (2004)

Question 4

8.Fessler et al. (2005)

Answer 4

Generalisability: Moderate – the study focused on pregnant women, so findings may not apply to others.

Reliability: High – the large sample size (496 participants) and controlled conditions make it replicable.

Applicability: High – the findings help us understand how disgust sensitivity changes during pregnancy, which is useful for evolutionary psychology.

Validity: Low ecological validity – the study used a questionnaire, which may not reflect real-life disgust responses.

Ethics: Ethical concerns about exposing participants to disturbing images, but they were informed.

Strength: Shows how disgust sensitivity increases during pregnancy to protect against disease.
Limitation: The study relies on self-report data, which may be unreliable.