Chapter 4 - Genes, Evolution and Behaviour Flashcards
what is the heritability coefficient
extent to which the degree of variation in a particular characteristic among a group of people can be attributed to genetic factors
what is concordance
the likelihood that two people share a aprticular chracteristic
describe what an adoption study entails
study of children who were adopted by comparing to both sets of parents
if more similar to biological parents - genetically influenced
if more similar to adoptive parents - environmentally influenced
what is the difference between gene and chromosome
● Gene: a DNA portion of the chromosome that carries the hereditary blueprint.
● Chromosome: a tightly coiled molecule of DNA that’s partly covered by
protein.
● Difference is that the chromosome is made up of genes.
what is genetic determinism
The view that genes have invariant and unavoidable effects.
It’s also the belief that human behavior is directly controlled by an individual’s genes.
Intelligence is based largely on ________, but also influenced by __________
Genetics, Environment
what is concordance
the likelihood that two people share a particular characteristic
in adoptions what does it mean if
the child is more similar to biological parents
the child is more similar to adoptive parents
More similar to biological: genetic influence
More similar to adoptive: environmental influence
Identical twins raised ______ have higher correlation on IQ scores than identical twins raised ______
Identical twins raised together have higher correlation on IQ scores than identical twins raised apart
what is reaction range
the range of possibilities (upper and lower limits) that genetic code allows for a genetically influenced trait
what would be the ideal approach to observe genetics and personality
Ideal method approach to observe genetics and personality would be to observe personality traits in identical and fraternal twins who were reared together or apart
would allow for the observation of genetics, environment and unique individual experiences
explain the definition of evolution in terms of genetics
the change over time in the frequency with which particular genes occur within a population
explain natural selection
characteristics that increase the likelihood of survival and ability to reproduce within a particular environment will be more likely to be preserved in the population and become more common over time
what is beneficial about adaptation
allows organisms to meet recurring environmental challenged to their survival, thereby increasing their reproductive ability
eastyn starts a species of eastyns. her species has an issue though, it is all female so theres no way to reproduce. the species eventually evolves both male and female sex organs.
what type of adaptation is this
domain-specific adaptation
designed to solve and particular problem
what is evolution personality theory
traits exist universally in humans because they have helped humans achieve the goals of physical survival
define parental investment
time, effort, energy, and risk associated with caring successfully for each offspring
_______ _______ identified that the parent who invests most in offspring will be more competed for and thus will discriminate more when choosing a mate
robert trivers
___________ mating system is expected when both parental investments is since, since it is unlikely that a single parent can successfully raise offspring
monogamous
_______ is a mating type that is rare where females mate is many males
polyandry
the Five Factor Model states that individual differences in personality can be accounted for by 5 variations, name em
Openness to experience
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Neuroticism
how does the concept of reaction range illustrate the interaction between heredity and environment
Using the concept of range of reaction, a scientist would say that intelligence is determined by genes but manifests according to what the environment demands.
In other words, if a child has the potential to be a genius, that potential must also be nurtured through education, nutrition, and a safe environment.
what are alleles
The two genes, one on each chromosome, that control the same trait.
what is Polygenic Transmission
A number of genes working together to create a particular phenotypic characteristic.
intelligence is an example of this
According to the results of the Minnesota Twin Study, what factors were the most important in determining personality?
family environment accounted for little to no variation in any traits
the individuals’ unique experience, such as school experiences, social interactions, and individual learning experiences, was an important factor and accounted for 36 to 56 percent of the variation in individual personality traits.
How might genes influence the tendency to enjoy reading or participating in organized sports?
Certain inherited factors (e.g., physical characteristics such as muscle coordination) may predispose individuals to prefer certain activities.
Mechanisms that receive input from the environment, process the information, and respond to it are called what
Biologically based Mechanisms
Describe examples of human behavior that suggest innate evolved mechanisms.
(give like 2)
Infants are born with an innate ability to acquire any language spoken in the world.
Newborns are prewired to perceive specific stimuli.
At one week of age, human infants show primitive mathematical skills, successfully discriminating between two and three objects.
Humans, like other social animals, tend to be altruistic and helpful to other members of their own group.
According to evolutionary theorists, what is the origin of the basic personality traits?
They have helped us achieve 2 goals:
physical survival
reproduction of the species
Traits such as extraversion and emotional stability were helpful in attaining positions of dominance and mate selection.
Conscientiousness and agreeableness might be particularly important to group survival, as well as in reproduction and the care of children.
Explain Evolutionary Personality Theory
attempts to account for personality traits in terms of the evolutionary history of the human species; these traits are thought to develop from processes of natural selection
How does the idea of parental investment explain differences in physical size between the sexes?
most mammals are polygynous (males may mate with many females)
polygynous systems lead to larger males, as size and strength is an advantage in male-male competition
define polyandry
one female mates with many males.