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Psychology > Chapter 4 > Flashcards

Chapter 4 Flashcards

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1
Q

Behavior Genetics

A

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

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2
Q

Heredity

A

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

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3
Q

Environment

A

Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

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4
Q

Chromosomes

A

Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

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5
Q

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

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6
Q

Genes

A

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins

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7
Q

Genome

A

The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

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8
Q

Identical (monozygotic) twins

A

Develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

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9
Q

Fraternal (dizygotic) twins

A

Develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary brothers and sisters, but they share prenatal environment

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10
Q

Temperament

A

A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

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11
Q

Heritability

A

The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of population and environments studied.

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12
Q

Interaction

A

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)

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13
Q

Molecular Genetics

A

The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

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14
Q

Molecular Behavior Genetics

A

The study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior

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15
Q

Epigenetics

A

The study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change

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16
Q

Evolutionary Psychology

A

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection

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17
Q

Natural Selection

A

The principle that inherited traits that beter enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

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18
Q

Mutation

A

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

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19
Q

Culture

A

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

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20
Q

Norm

A

An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior

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21
Q

Individualism

A

Giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

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22
Q

Collectivism

A

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work group) and defining one’s identity accordingly

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23
Q

Sex

A

In psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male and female

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24
Q

Gender

A

In psychology, the socially influenced characteristics by which people define boy, girl, man, and woman

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25
Aggression
Any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm SOMEONE physically or emotionally
26
Relational Aggression
An act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person's RELATIONSHIP or SOCIAL STANDING
27
X Chromosome
The sex chromosome found in both males and females. Females typically have two X chromosomes; males typically have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child
28
Y Chromosome
The sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child
29
Testosterone
The most important male sex hormone. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
30
Puberty
The period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing
31
Primary Sex Characteristics
The body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible
32
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Nonreproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair
33
Spermarche
The first ejaculation
34
Menarche
The first menstrual priod
35
Intersex
A condition present at birth due to unusual combinations of male and female chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy; possessing biological sexual characteristics of both sexes
36
Role
A set of expectations (norms) abou a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
37
Gender Role
A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females
38
Gender Identity
Our sense of being male, female, or some combination of the two
39
Social Learning Theory
The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
40
Gender Typing
The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
41
Androgyny
Displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics
42
Transgender
An umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-designated sex
43
Developmental Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span
44
Teratogens
Agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
45
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Physical and cognitive abnormalities in children caused by a pregnant woman's heavy drinking. In severe cases, signs include a small, out-of proportion head and abnormal facial features
46
Habituation
Decreasing responsiveness with repeated simulation. As infants gain familiarity with repeated exposure to a stimulus, their interest wanes and they look away sooner
47
Maturation
Biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience
48
Cognition
All the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating
49
Schema
A concept or framework that organizes and interprets information
50
Assimilation
Interpreting our new experiences in terms of our existing schemas
51
Accomodation
Adapting our current understanding (schemas) to incorporate new information
52
Sensorimotor Stage
In Piaget's theory, the stage from birth to 2 years old, during which infants know the world mostly in terms of their sensory impressions and motor activities.
53
Object Permanence
The awareness that things continue to exist even when not perceived
54
Preoperational Stae
In Piaget's theory, the stage (from about 2 to 7) during which a child learns to use language but does not yet comprehend the mental operations of concrete logic
55
Conservation
The principle (Piaget) that properties such as mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the forms of objects
56
Egocentrism
In Piaget's theory, the preoperational child's difficulty taking another's point of view
57
Theory of Mind
People's ideas about their own and other's mental states - about their feelings, perceptions, and thoughts, and the behaviors these might predict
58
Concrete Operational Stage
In Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (from about 7 to 11 y/o) during which children gain the mental operations that enable them to think logically about concrete events
59
Formal Operational Stage
In Piaget's theory, the stage of cognitive development (starting at around 12 y/o) during which people begin to think logically about abstract concepts
60
Scaffold
In Vygotsky's theory, a framework that offers children temporary support as they develop higher levels of thinking
61
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A disorder that appears in childhood and is marked by significant deficiencies in communication and social interaction, and by rigidly fixated interests and repetitive behaviors
62
Stranger Anxiety
The fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age
63
Attachment
An emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to their caregiver and showing distress on separation
64
Critical Period
An optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development
65
Imprinting
The process by which certain animals form strong attachments during early life
66
Basic Trust
According to Erik Erikson, a sense that the world is predictable and trustworthy; said to be formed during infancy by appropriate experiences with responsive caregivers
67
Self-Concept
All our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, in answer to the question, "Who am I?"
68
Adolescence
The transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence
69
Puberty
The period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing
70
Identity
Our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent's task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles
71
Social Identity
The "we" aspect of our self-concept; the part of our answer to "Who am I?" that comes from our group memberships
72
Intimacy
In Erikson's theory, the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary developmental task in young adulthood
73
Menopause
he time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines
74
Cross-sectional Study
Research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time
75
Longitudinal Study
Research that follows and retests the same people over time
76
Neurocognitive Disorders (NCDs)
Acquired (not lifelong) disorders marked by cognitive deficits; often related to Alzheimer's disease, brain injury or disease, or substance abuse. In older adults, neurocognitive disorders were formerly called dementia
77
Alzheimer's Disease
A neurocognitive disorder marked by neural plaques, often with onset after age 80, and entailing a progressive decline in memory and other cognitive abilities
78
Social Clock
The culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement

Psychology (8 decks)

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