Ch. 2 Definitions Flashcards
Natural selection
Evolutionary process where those best adapted to environment survive and reproduce
Evolutionary psychology
Emphasizes importance of adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the fittest in shaping behavior
Chromosomes
Threadlike structures made of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
DNA
A complex molecule that has a double helix shape and contains genetic information
Genes
Units of hereditary information composed of DNA, helping cells reproduce themselves and assemble proteins that direct body processes
Mitosis
Cellular reproduction in which cell’s nucleus duplicates itself
Meiosis
Specialized form of cell division to form egg or sperm (gametes)
Fertilization
Stage of reproduction in which egg and sperm fuse to create a single cell (zygote)
Genotype
All of a person’s actual genetic material
Phenotype
Observable and measurable characteristics of an individual (height, hair color, intelligence)
Down syndrome
Chromosomally transmitted form of intellectual disability caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21
Klinefelter syndrome
Chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra X chromosome
Fragile X Syndrome
Chromosomal disorder involving abnormality in X chromosome
Turner syndrome
Chromosomal disorder in females affecting X chromosome (missing/partially deleted)
XYY Syndrome
Chromosomal disorder in males having XYY
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Genetic disorder preventing metabolization of amino acid (intellectual disability and hyperactivity)
Sickle-cell anemia
Genetic disorder affecting red blood cells (most often in African Americans)
Behavior genetics
Field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity/environment on human traits/development
Twin study
Behavioral similarity of identical twins compared with behavioral similarities of fraternal twins
Adoption study
Discover whether behavioral and psychological characteristics more like adoptive/bio parents (or: adopted/bio siblings)
Passive genotype-environment correlations
Exist when the bio parents provide a rearing environment for child
Evocative genotype-environment correlations
Exist when child’s characteristics elicit certain types of environments
Active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations
Exist when children seek out environments they find compatible and stimulating
Epigenetic view
Emphasizes that development is the result of an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between heredity and environment
Gene X Environment (GXE) interaction
Interaction between specific measured variation in DNA / specific measured aspect of the environment
Germinal period
Period of prenatal development in the first two weeks after conception, including creation of zygote, continued cell division, attachment of zygote to the wall of the uterus
Embryonic period
Period of prenatal development that occurs from 2-8 weeks after conception; rate of cell differentiation intensified, support systems for cells form, and organs appear
Organogenesis
Process of organ formation in first 2 months of prenatal development
Fetal period
From 2-9ish months, development continues dramatically
Neurons
Nerve cells that handle information processing at the cellular level
Teratogen
Any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive/behavioral outcomes
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Cluster of abnormalities that may appear in offspring of mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy
Doula
Caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, educational support for the mother before/during/after childbirth
Natural childbirth
Childbirth method that attempts to reduce mother’s pain by decreasing fear through education about childbirth and relaxation techniques
Prepared childbirth
Strategy similar to natural childbirth teaching special breathing technique to control pushing in final stage of labor including details about anatomy and physiology (developed by Lamaze)
Apgar scale
Widely used method to assess newborns at one and five minutes after birth (heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body color, reflex irritability)
Low birth weight infants
Less that 5.5 pounds at birth
Preterm infants
Born early by 3 weeks or more
Small for date/gestational age
Birth weight below 90% of all babies of same gestational age
Kangaroo care
Skin to skin contact (NICU and infant)
Bonding
Formation of a close connection/physical bond shortly after birth
Postpartum period
After childbirth when mother adjusts physically/psychologically to process of childbirth (at least 6 weeks)
Postpartum depression
Major depressive episode ~4 weeks after delivery; strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, despair affecting daily tasks
