Chapter 12 Biological Approaches Flashcards
Adoption studies
An approach to establishing genetic-behaviour relationships through the comparison of biological siblings reared together with biological siblings reared apart through adoption. Generally combined with twin studies
Behavioural genetics
The study of genetic contributions to behaviours of interest to psychologists main through the comparison of degrees of similarity among individuals of varying degrees of biological genetic similarity
Evolved psychological mechanisms
In evolutionary psychology, psychological mechanisms that are the result of evolution by selection; that is, they exist and have endured because they have been adaptive to survival and reproductive success
Heritability coefficient
The proporting of observed variance in scores in a specific population that can be attributed to genetic factors
Inhibited-uninhibited temperaments
Relative to the uninhibited child, the inhibited child reacts to unfamiliar persons or events with restraint, avoidancem and distress, takes a longer time to relax in new situations, and has more unusual fears and phobias. The uninhibited child seems to enjoy these very same simuations that seem so stressful to the inhibted child. The uninhibited child responds with spontaneity in novel situations, laughing and smiling easily.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical substances that transmit information from one neuron to another (dopamine, serotonin)
Parental investment theory
The view that women have a greater parental investment in offspring than do men because women pass their genes on to fewer offspring
Phrenology
The early 19th century attempt to locate areas of the brain responsible for various aspects of emotional and behavioural functioning. Developed by Gall, it was discredited as quackery and superstition
Plasticity
The ability of parts of the neurobiological system to change, temporarily and for extended periods of time, within the limits set by genes, to meet current adaptive demands and as a result of experience
Proximate causes
Explanations for behaviour associated with current biological processes in the organisms
Selective breeding
An approach to establishing genetic-behaviour relationships through the breeding of successive generations with a particular characteristic
Shared and nonshared environments
The comparison in behavioural genetics research of the effects of siblings growing up in the same or different environemnts. Particular attention is given to whether siblings reared together in the same family share the same family environment
Three-dimensional temperament model
The three superfactors describing individual differences in temperament: Positive Emotionality (PE), Negative Emotionality (NE), and Disinhibition versus Constraint (DvC)
Twin studies
An approach to establishing genetic behaviour relationships through the comparison of degree of similarity among idential twins, fraternal twins, and nontwin siblings. Generally combined with adoption studies
Ultimate Causes
Explanations for behaviour associated with evolution
