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Behavior Genetics > Chapter 1: Introduction > Flashcards

Chapter 1: Introduction Flashcards

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1
Q

1.0
Define Behavior Genetics

A

Scientific study of heredity-behavior relations.

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2
Q

1.1
Who were the two cousins who made important contributions to understanding heredity-behavior relations in the late 1800s?

A

Galton and Darwin, they were both grandson’s of Erasmus Darwin.

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3
Q

1.1
Why was eugenics bad? How was science used to advance eugenics in the early 2000’s?

A

It promoted “scientific racism” and it took advantage of Mendelian genetics to:
(1) Legalize involuntary sterilization across the US.
(2) Restrict immigration into the US.
(3) Inspired Nazi’s to carry out the Holocaust.

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4
Q

1.1
When was the field of BG established?

A

1960’s

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5
Q

1.1
Define Familial Resemblance

A

People in the same family are often similar in appearance and behavior, and the similarity is partially due to shared genetic variants.

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6
Q

1.1
Define Nature vs. Nurture

A

A false dichotomy that has characterized efforts to understand the contributions of heredity and environment to individual differences in behavior.

Locke & Darwin

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7
Q

1.1
Who was Locke?

A

Believed our experiences make us; “blank slate.”

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8
Q

1.1
Who was Darwin?

A

Studied natural selection and finches; found different morphological traits that fit the environment they lived in.

Demonstrated that behavior is a driving force of evolution. (Behavior + morphology of environment = drives evolution).

Strong argument for shared evolutionary history across species, which gave a justification for non-human models.

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9
Q

1.1
Define Natural Selection

A

It is the way in which evolution operates.

Variation of traits that impact reproductive success and vary in a population can drive changes in trait expression across generations when there is competition, and the traits are at least partially determined by heredity.

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10
Q

1.1
Define Morphological

A

The physical form or structure of a trait.

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11
Q

1.1
Define Niche Specialization

A

A process by which a species evolves trait via natural selection that are suited to a particular environment.

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12
Q

1.1
Who was Francis Galton?

A

“Father of behavior genetics”

Was on of the first to study twins.

Stated that nature prevails when nurture is within the same rank.

Had many flaws in his study designs.

Coined the term Eugenics.

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13
Q

1.1
Define Identical Twins

A

Siblings born at the same time and are the result of one sperm fertilizing one egg (e.g. monozygotic). Such twins share 100 percent of their genomes at fertilization.

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14
Q

1.1
Define Fraternal Twins

A

Siblings born at the same time and are the result of two sperm fertilizing two eggs (e.g. dizygotic). Such twins share 50 percent of their genomes, on average.

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15
Q

1.1
Define Eugenics

A

Term used to describe efforts to manage traits in human populations by restricting (e.g. negative) or promoting (e.g. positive) reproduction.

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16
Q

1.1
What is another name for: the modern dog?

A

Canis Lupus Familiaris

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17
Q

1.1
How many different dog breeds are there? (Approximately)

A

350

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18
Q

1.1
When did the domestication of dogs begin?

A

Around 20,000 years ago.

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19
Q

1.1
Define Dog Breed

A

A line of dogs that share similar physical ad behavioral traits maintained by selective breeding.

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20
Q

1.1
Define Selective Breeding

A

An approach used in agriculture or scientific studies with the aim of changing the distribution of a trait in subsequent generations. It involves controlling which individuals mate to produce offspring to make up the next generation. To determine which individuals will become parents, all eligible individuals should first be phenotyped for the trait of interest.

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21
Q

1.1
Did humans pick dog breeding systematically? Was it coordinated?

A

They initially just favored useful or friendly traits, until the later 1800’s when dog shows became a thing and there was an emphasis on “pure bred.”

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22
Q

1.1
Why are dogs useful as non-human animal models?

A

Some canine genetic disorders can serve as models for cancer, OCD, narcolepsy, Alzheimers, or behaviors like aggression and anxiety.

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23
Q

1.1
Who was Gregor Mendel?

A

Developed model of inheritance and mendelian genetics.

Examined traits in parents and their offspring.

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24
Q

1.1
Who was T.H. Morgan?

A

Studied fruit flies.

Used Mendel’s Laws to map the location of genes associated with certain morphological traits.

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25
Q

1.1
What did E.C. Tolman and R.C. Tryon study?

A

The inheritance of maze learning in rats.

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26
Q

1.1
What are some obstacles in studying genetics?

A
  1. The role of psychology and behaviorism led to the de-emphasis of the role of biology.
  2. There were limited methods for studying (especially for human models).
  3. Technological barriers, which persisted until PCR (polymerase-chain reaction) was developed.
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27
Q

1.1
Common Non-Human Animal Models

A

Those with the largest contributions: fruit flies, mice, rats.

Others: dogs, monkeys, zebra fish, honeybees, roundworms.

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28
Q

1.2
Define Reliable

A

Indexes the capacity of a measure to provide repeated, accurate assessments.

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29
Q

1.2
Define Valid

A

Addresses the extent to which a measurement is appropriate for the intended construct.

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30
Q

1.2
What is the main aim of the study of BG and what is NOT it’s focus?

A

It’s NOT used to identify genes that cause behaviors. Rather, it’s focused on diversity and variations.

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31
Q

1.2
Commonly used measurements for behavior in HUMANS:

A

Self-report questionnaires.

Reaction-time tasks and tracking a person’s gaze.

Neuro-imaging or hormonal responses.

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32
Q

1.2
Commonly used measurements for behavior in NON-HUMANS:

A

Spontaneous activity (e.g. running wheel).

Beverage preferences (e.g. two-bottle choice).

Attack latency (e.g. resident-intruder paradigm).

Forced swim test.

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33
Q

1.2
Define Self-Report

A

An approach to collecting data that asks human participants to respond to questions about their own traits or history.

34
Q

1.2
Define Reaction Times

A

A basic outcome measure in cognitive psychology. Reaction times can be precisely measured and can index inferred cognitive processing.

35
Q

1.2
Define Neural Activity Patterns

A

Data produced by neuro-imaging that seeks to identify populations of neurons that change their firing rate during some task as compared to a resting state.

36
Q

1.2
What is the Running Wheel?

A

A simple device commonly used to assess voluntary running in rodents. It comprises a wheel suspended by an axel that rotates when the rodent runs while inside.

37
Q

1.2
What is the Resident-Intruder Test?

A

A commonly used, standardized experimental design to assess aggression in rodents. A “resident” is housed in an enclosure for sufficient time to establish it as its “home cage,” and then an unknown “intruder” rodent is introduced into the cage.

38
Q

1.2
What is the Forced Swim Test?

A

A commonly used measure of depression-like behavior in rodents. When first placed in a beaker of water, rodents swim and try to escape, but eventually stop swimming and passively float. Administration of antidepressant drugs result in longer bouts of swimming.

39
Q

1.2
What is Galton’s motto for measuring behaviors?

A

“Whenever you can, count.”

40
Q

1.2
How many genetic differences are there between 2 UNrelated people?

A

About 6 million!!

41
Q

1.2
Define Typological Thinking

A

An assumption that trait variation in a population represents deviation from an ideal type.

Categorical; sorts people/things into categories.

E.g. diagnostic criteria for a disorder — either has it or doesn’t.

42
Q

1.2
Define Population Thinking

A

The recognition that trait variation in a population is normal.

Genetic differences are raw material for evolution and also a product.

43
Q

1.3
Fundamental Assumption in BG

A

Not to assume that we do things randomly.

Everyone is genetically unique (except for twins).

44
Q

1.3
Define Levels of Analysis

A

Individual differences in behavior may be the result of variation at points along pathways from molecules to society that are conceptually and methodologically distinct, each comprising an independent domain of study.

45
Q

1.3
What are the different levels of analysis?

A

Biological, social, and cultural.

Can be reduced down into further concepts.

46
Q

1.3
Three Main Questions in BQ Research

A

(1) Are genetic differences associated with individual differences in behavior?

(2) Which genetic differences are associated with individual differences in behavior?

(3) What are the mechanisms by which genetic differences are associated with individual differences in behavior?

47
Q

1.3
BQ Questions; What era did it dominate? What was it’s main focus? — Question 1: Are genetic differences associated with individual differences in behavior?

A

Dominated the 2000’s.

Focus was examining whether genetic similarity was statistically associated with behavioral similarity.

Genes play some role in behavior, but do not explain specific biological pathways from genes —> behaviors.

48
Q

1.3
BQ Questions; What era did it dominate? What was it’s main focus? — Question 2: Which genetic differences are associated with individual differences in behavior?

A

Represents the current era.

Isolating the effects on a single genetic variation tends to oversimplify the genes-behavior pathway.

49
Q

1.3
BQ Questions; What era did it dominate? What was it’s main focus? — Question 3: What are the mechanisms by which genetic differences are associated with individual differences in behavior?

A

Focus on molecular mechanisms.

Currently investigating.

50
Q

1.3
Define Molecular Mechanisms

A

Variation in components of biological pathways that helps to understand the causes of individual differences in behavior.

51
Q

1.3
Are genes directly connected to behaviors?

A

No, genes do not have a one-to-one relation.

Therefore, AVOID using the phrase “gene for behavior.”

52
Q

1.4
Why is convergent evidence important in BG?

A

It helps us to feel more confident and sure of our results.

53
Q

1.4
Define Non-Human Animal Models

A

Species used to address research questions that are relevant to human conditions or disorders, such as mice or fruit flies. Such species are widely used in behavior genetic research because of methodological advantages and shared biology.

54
Q

1.4
Define Convergent Evidence

A

Findings from research conducted with different methods or species that support the same conclusion.

55
Q

1.4
How has the use of non-human models helped humans?

A

Almost every medical advance was due to the use of non-human models, which has resulted in the increase of humans life expectancy.

56
Q

1.4
What are some biomedical advances that have been made due to non-human models?

A

Antibiotics

Sterile surgery techniques

Blood transfusions

Vaccines

Heart bypass surgeries

57
Q

1.4
Define Mutagenesis

A

The generation of new mutations, often accomplished by using X-rays, chemicals, or molecular biological techniques.

58
Q

1.4
How was mutagenesis initially done vs how is it done now?

A

Initially x-rays and chemicals were used to cause mutations, but recent molecular genetic techniques help with precise control over the location of the mutation.

59
Q

1.4
Reasons to Use Non-Human Models

A

We share evolutionary history.

Able to control factors like genes and environment.

Provides a starting point for further research.

60
Q

1.4
How are fruit flies and humans similar?

A

Most genes that are thought to play a role in human diseases are found in fruit flies.

Share NT’s like serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and acetylcholine.

61
Q

1.4
How are mice and humans similar?

A

Almost all genes from humans can also be found in mice.

Share anatomical similarities and basic circuits and systems.

62
Q

1.4
What are some concerns of using non-human models?

A

(1) Ethics involved in subjecting animals to research procedures (like vivisection).

(2) Extent to which the results of non-human animal studies generalize to humans.

63
Q

1.4
Define Vivisection

A

The practice of conducting surgery on live animals for research purposes.

64
Q

1.4
Why is it hard to generalize results from non-human animal models to humans?

A

There are more than one factors that play a role in a behavior.

Hard to study certain things (e.g. substance abuse) when the animals do not experience it themselves.

65
Q

1.4
What is the model of drinking that was developed in mice?

A

Drinking in the dark.

66
Q

1.5
Was there ethical oversight early on?

A

No, there was little to no oversight in the middle of the twentieth century.

The researcher was the sole decider on what is and isn’t ethical.

67
Q

1.5
Define IACUC and its acronym

A

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Local groups that oversee research with non-human animals.

68
Q

1.5
What are the review protocols of IACUC?

A

Must be reviewed at least once every 3 years.

Inspect al animal research and housing facilities every 6 months.

69
Q

1.5
What are the board requirements of IACUC?

A

Must have a minimum of 5 members: researchers, non-scientist, someone no affiliated with the institution.

Includes a veterinarian with experience or training.

Research projects must be approved BEFORE the research starts.

Responsible for all research conducted at its institution.

70
Q

1.5
Who does the IACUC report to?

A

NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

71
Q

1.5
What happens with repeated violations to IACUC?

A

Can lead to loss of funding or even a halt to research funding to an ENTIRE institution.

72
Q

1.5
What are the research approval protocols of IACUC? (7)

A
  1. Justify # of animals used.
  2. Species is appropriate for question.
  3. Avoid or minimize pain/discomfort/stress.
  4. Good housing and testing conditions.
  5. Personnel must be properly trained.
  6. Medical care by a veterinarian must be available.
  7. Use best practice for euthenasia.
73
Q

1.5
What is the primary goal of IACUC?

A

Reduce the amount of animal suffering.

74
Q

1.5
Does IACUC have exceptions?

A

Occasionally, such as for pain studies.

75
Q

1.5
Define IRBs and its acronym

A

Institutional Review Boards

Local groups that oversee research with human participants.

76
Q

1.5
What are some cases or events that lead to the creation of IRBs?

A

Nazi’s conducting research on prisoners in concentration camps.

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment — withholding penicillin from African American men with syphilis.

Milgram’s Obedience Study — having participants think they’ve harmed someone when they had not.

Stanford Prison Experiment — believing participants had become prisoners.

77
Q

1.5
What are IRBs governed by?

A

Title 45 (Code of Federal Regulations Part 46)

78
Q

1.5
What are the board requirements of IRBs?

A

At least 5 members, with at least 1 scientist and one non-scientist.

Responsible for all research conducted at its institution.

79
Q

1.5
What are the research approval protocols for IRBs? (5)

A
  1. Risk is minimized and benefits are greater than costs.
  2. Random selection of participants.
  3. Informed consentand & properly told what will occur.
  4. Privacy and confidentiality.
  5. Right to end participation at any time.
80
Q

1.5
What happens with repeated violations to IRBs?

A

Can result in studies being shut down and loss of funding.

81
Q

1.5
How new is the IACUC and IRB era?

A

Only been about 40 years.

Behavior Genetics (4 decks)

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