Chapter 2: Genetic and Environmental Foundations Flashcards
Chromosomes
Store and transmit genetic info
Gene
Segment of DNA along length of a chromosome
Mitosis
Process where DNA duplicates itself
Gametes
Sex cells
Meiosis
Cell division process that forms gametes
Zygote
When a sperm and an ovum unite
Autosomes
not sex chromosomes
Sex chromosomes
23nd pair (XX–> female, XY–> male)
Fraternal (disygotic twins)
Results from the release and fertilization of 2 ova
Identical (monozygotic twins)
when a zygote that has started to separate splits into 2 clusters of cells that develop into 2 individuals
Allele
each form a gene (2 in total from mom and dad)
Homozygous
If both alleles are alike
Heterozygous
If alleles differ, whichever’s dominant determines phenotype
Coparenting
2 parents mutually supporting eachothers parenting behaviors
Socioeconomic status
An index to assess familes socioeconomic standings that combines 3 variables: 1. years of education, 2. prestige of one’s job and skill, 3. income
Subcultures
groups of people with beliefs and customs that differ from those of a larger culture
Extended family households
3 or more generations live together
Collectivist society
People define themselves as part of a group and stress group goals over individual goals
Individualistic society
People think of themselves as separate entities and are largely concerned with their own personal needs
Public policies
laws and govt programs designed to improve current conditions
Behavioral genetics
field devoted to uncovering the contributes of nature and nurture to this diversity in human traits and abilities
Heritability estimates
Measure the extent to which the individual differences in complex traits in a specific population are due to genetic factors
Kinship studies
Compare the characteristics of family members
Gene-environment interactions/ differential sensitivity
Because of their genetic makeup, people differ in their responsiveness to qualities of the environment (orchid vs daffodil)
Gene-environment correlation (reverse causal argument for gene-environment interactions)
our genes influence the environments to which we are exposed
Passive correlation
Parents provide environments influenced by their own hereditary
Evocative correlation
Children evoke responses that are influenced by the childs hereditary
Active correlation
People seek environments that fit their genetic tendencies
Niche-picking
Tendencies to pick environments that fit compliment our heredity
Epigenesis
Development resulting from ongoing bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment
