Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

aaa psy > ch 3 > Flashcards

ch 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Nativists

A

Emphasize genes and inborn

characteristics (Nature).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Empiricists

A

Focus on learning and experience

Nurture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Evolutionary Psychology

A 
A field of psychology emphasizing
evolutionary mechanisms that may help to
explain human commonalities in cognition,
development, emotion, social practices,
and other areas of behaviour.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Behavioural Genetics

A

An interdisciplinary field of study
concerned with the genetic bases of
individual differences in behaviour and
personality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Studying genetic material

A

Linkage studies
Genetic markers
The link between genetics and behaviour
Bi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Chromosomes
Genes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A 
Chromosomes
 Rod-shaped structures within
cells that carry genes.
Genes
 Functional units of heredity
which are composed of DNA
and specify the structure of
proteins.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
 Chromosomal molecule that
transfers genetic
characteristics by way of
coded instructions for t
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Genome

A

The full set of genes in each cell of
an organism (with the exception of
sperm and egg cells).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Linkage studies

A

Because genes lying close together on a
chromosome may be inherited together across
generations, researchers can look for genetic
markers in families.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Genetic markers

A 
A segment of DNA that varies among individuals,
has a known location on a chromosome, and can
function as a genetic landmark for a gene.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

The Link Between Genes and Behaviour

A

Even when researchers locate a gene on a
chromosome, they do not automatically know its role in
physical or psychological functioning.
Most human traits are influenced by more than one
gene pair.
Examples include height and eye colour.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Evolution

A

A change in gene frequencies within a
population over many generations.
A mechanism by which genetically influenced
characteristics of a population may change.
Changes may occur due to mutations or errors
occurring during copying of original DNA
sequence.
Changes may occur due to natural selection.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

• Natural Selection

A

The evolutionary process in which individuals with
genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in a
particular environment tend to:
Survive; and
Reproduce in greater numbers
As a result, their traits become more common in
the population.
B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Sexual Selection

inter and intra

A 
Intersexual selection
 a member of one sex chooses a
mate from the other sex on the
basis of certain characteristics.
 Intrasexual selection
 members of the same sex
compete for a partner of the
other sex.
Im
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Evolutionary Biologists

A 
Start with an observation about a
characteristic and try to account for it
in evolutionary terms.
For Example: Plumage differences in
male and female peacocks.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Evolutionary Psychologists

A

Ask what sorts of challenges human beings might
have faced and then infer which behavioural
tendencies might have been selected to overcome
these challenges.
For example: Avoiding poisonous food and an innate
dislike for bitter tastes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Innate Human Characteristics

A 
Infant reflexes
 Interest in novelty
 Desire to explore and manipulate objects
 Impulse to play and fool around
 Basic cognitive skills
17
Q

Phenotype Matching

A

An individual’s ability to assess relatedness to
another individual based on the phenotype, the
expression of gene-environment interactions.

18
Q

Language

A

A system that combines meaningless
elements such as sounds or gestures to form
structured utterances that convey meaning.

19
Q

Innate Capacity for Language

A

Language too complex to be learned bit by bit (Chomsky, 1957, 1980).
Sentences have surface and deep structures:
Surface structure - the way a sentence is spoken.
Deep structure - how a sentence is to be understood.
To transform surface sentence structures into deep ones, children must
apply rules of grammar (syntax).

20
Q

surface structure

21
Q

deep structure

22
Q

Language Acquisition Device

A

If we do not teach syntax to toddlers, human brains must contain a
language acquisition device (Chomsky, 1957;1980), an innate module that
allows young children to develop language if they are exposed to an
adequate sampling of conversation.
Children are born with universal grammar or a sensitivity to the core
features common to all languages. Examples include nouns and verbs,
subjects and objects, and negatives.

23
Q

Evidence Supporting the LAD

A

Combine words in ways adults never would.
Learn to speak or sign correctly although adults do not
correct syntax.
May invent their own language when not exposed to an
adult language.
Can derive simple linguistic rules from a string of sounds at
as early as 7 months of age.

24
Q

Evidence for Learning and Language

A

Computerized neural networks can “learn” aspects of language.
Children learn the probability that any given word or syllable will follow
another.
Although there are commonalities in language acquisition, there are also
many differences.
Parents respond to children’s errors by restating or elaborating on the
phrase.
Children imitate these adult recasts and expansions

25
Sociobiology
Interdisciplinary field that emphasizes evolutionary explanations of social behaviour. Humans behave in ways that maximize our chances of passing on our genes, and to help our close biological relatives do the same
26
Evolution and Sexual Strategies
Due to different kinds of survival and mating problems, the sexes have evolved differently in three areas: 1. Aggressiveness 2. Physical dominance 3. Sexual Strategies
27
Differences in Sexual Strategies Males Females
``` Males Want sex more often. Are fickle and promiscuous. Drawn to sexual novelty and even rape. Are undiscriminating in partner choice. Concerned with competition and dominance ``` ``` Females Want sex less often. Are devoted and faithful. Drawn to stability and security. Are cautious and choosy in partners Less concerned with competition and dominance. ```
28
Evolutionary Psychologists and the Question of | Gender
Evolutionary psychologists consider such analogies of human and animal behaviours simplistic and misleading. Focus more on commonalities of human mating and dating around the world.
29
Culture and the “Genetic Leash” Criticisms of sociobiological and evolutionary explanations for sexual behaviour include:
Criticisms of sociobiological and evolutionary explanations for sexual behaviour include: 1. Evolutionary explanations of infidelity and monogamy are based on stereotypes. 2. Actual behaviour of humans and other animals fails to conform to images of promiscuous males and coy females. 3. Human sexual behaviour is too varied to be explained solely from an evolutionary perspective. ``` 4. Previous Sampling Methods May not have Been Representative Prior to 2006 the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) interviewed only men Male opinions often failed to conform to stereotypes ``` 5. Reporting Errors (What People Say vs. What they do) Answers to hypothetical questions do not always predict people’s feeling or actions in real life situations ``` 6. Historically, available mates for selection were much fewer than they are today. Human beings select mates based on: Similarity Proximity ```
30
The Genetics of Difference | The meaning of heritability:
A statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group. Expressed as proportion (.60 or 60/100) Maximum value is 1.0 Some variables such as height are highly heritable, other variables such as musical ability are moderately heritable.
31
Facts About Heritability
An estimate of heritability applies only to a particular group living in a particular environment. Heritability estimates do not apply to individuals, only to variations within a group. Even highly heritable traits can be modified by the environment
32
Computing Heritability
If identical twins are more alike than fraternal twins, then the increased similarity must be due to genetic influences.
33
Computing Heritability
Investigators have also studied identical twins who were separated early in life and reared apart. Any similarities in traits between them should be primarily genetic and should permit a direct estimate of heritability.
34
Our Human Diversity: The Case of Intelligence Genes and individual differences Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Intelligence Quotient (IQ) Measure of intelligences originally computed by dividing a person’s mental age by his or her chronological age and multiplying result by 100, now derived from norms provided for standard intelligence tests. The kind of intelligence that produces high IQ scores is highly heritable .50 for children and adolescents .60 -.80 for adults B
35
Twins and Intelligence
Intelligence scores of identical twins are always more highly correlated than those of fraternal twins. The scores of adopted children are highly correlated with their biological parents.
36
The Question of Group Differences
Genetics are used to explain differences between groups. These differences are used to justify differential treatment for these groups For example: Differences between average IQ scores for African Americans and Caucasian Americans. Genetic explanations have a flaw: They use heritability estimates based on white samples to estimate the role of heredity in group differences.
37
The Question of Group Differences
Those studies overcoming past methodological problems fail to reveal genetic differences between blacks and whites on IQ. Examples: Children fathered by black and white American soldiers in Germany after WWII and reared in similar German communities did not differ significantly in IQ. Black and white infants perform equally well on tests for novelty. Bi
38
The Environment and Intelligence
``` Experiences that hinder Poor prenatal care. Malnutrition. Exposure to toxins. Stressful family circumstances. Experiences that help Good health care and nutrition. Mental enrichment in home, child care, and school. Biol ```
39
Beyond Nature Versus Nurture
Heredity and environment always interact to produce the unique mixture of qualities that make a human. Psychological diversity is adaptive

aaa psy (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions