C2: The Nature-Nurture Question Flashcards
What is an adoption study?
A behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of adopted children to their adoptive and biological parents.
What is behavioral genetics?
The empirical science of how genes and environments combine to generate behavior.
What is a heritability coefficient?
An easily misinterpreted statistical construct that purports to measure the role of genetics in the explanation of differences among individuals.
What is quantitative genetics?
Scientific and mathematical methods for inferring genetic and environmental processes based on the degree of genetic and environmental similarity among organisms.
What are twin studies?
A behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of the similarity of identical (monozygotic; MZ) and fraternal (dizygotic; DZ) twins.
What is the nature–nurture debate?
The nature–nurture debate explores the relative contributions of genetics (nature) and environment (nurture) to human development and behavior.
Why are nature–nurture questions difficult to study empirically?
Nature–nurture questions are challenging to study empirically due to the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors.
What are the major research designs used to study nature–nurture questions?
Major research designs include twin studies, adoption studies, and longitudinal studies.
What complexities arise in the nature–nurture debate?
The complexities arise because questions that seem simple often do not have straightforward answers.
