Chapter 3: Nature and Nurture of Behavior Flashcards
Chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
DNA
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
Genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.
Genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
Natural Selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
Mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
Evolutionary Psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Gender
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.
Behavior Genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Environment
every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.
Identical Twins
monozygotic twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.
Fraternal Twins
twins who develop from separate eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.
Temperament
a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.
Heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes; tells us how much of the variation that exists between a group of individuals is due to genetics.
Interaction
the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).
Molecular Genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
Culture
(collective or Individualistic) the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
Norm
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior.
Personal Space
the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies.
Memes
self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person.
X Chromosome
the sex chromosome found in both men and women.
Y Chromosome
the sex chromosome found only in males.
Testosterone
the most important of the male sex hormones.
Role
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.
Gender Role
a set of expected behaviors for males and for females.
Gender Identity
one’s sense of being male or female. -Humanistic
Gender Typing
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.
Social Learning Theory
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished.
Gender Schema Theory
(from very young age you learn your role) the theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly.
