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Psychology 104 > Chapter 4: Genes, evolution, behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 4: Genes, evolution, behavior Flashcards

1
Q

What is nature vs nurture

A

Nature is what we inherit while nurture is how we are raised

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2
Q

What is false dichotomy

A

Trying to place something in one of two categories when it isn’t appropriate

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3
Q

What is a genotype

A

The specific genetic make up of an individual

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4
Q

What is a phenotype

A

The observable characteristics produced by genetic information

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5
Q

What is DNA made up of

A

Genes

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6
Q

What are alleles

A

Different forms of genes that form different characteristics

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7
Q

How do genes exert their effect

A

They carry codes for protein manufacture and about half code for brain structure/function

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8
Q

What is a dominant gene

A

A gene that if present, is expressed

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9
Q

What is a recessive gene

A

A gene that is only expressed if it is inherited by both parents

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10
Q

What is polygenic transmission

A

A given characteristic is controlled by two or more genes and this greatly complicates the relationship between genes and behavior

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11
Q

What did the human genome project do

A

It identified and mapped all known genes

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12
Q

What are recombinant DNA procedures

A

Enzymes cutting/combining DNA from different organisms

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13
Q

What is a gene knockout procedure

A

Disabling a particular gene

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14
Q

What is herdity

A

Passing on characteristics through genes

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15
Q

What is heritability

A

How much variation in something can be attributed to genetic differences. This is looked more into for research as it shows how much behavior comes from genetics

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16
Q

What is heritability coefficient

A

An estimate to the extent of variation in a group can be attributed to genetics. The number is expressed from 0-1 and independent estimates are taken for different groups

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17
Q

What to twin(and adoption) studies allow us to do

A

They allow us to have a natural experiment that finds variance in behavior from both genetic and environmental factors

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18
Q

What is concordance rate

A

The rate of co-occurrence of a characteristic among individuals (known as the middle step in finding heritability). Higher rates are found between more related people

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19
Q

What did the twin adoption studies find

A

Found that identical twins raised together are most similar in extraversion than identical twins raised apart meaning that environment plays a role in behavior. It also showed fraternal twins had lower concordance rates that identical twins when raised in the same environment, meaning genetics also plays a role.

20
Q

What is reaction range

A

How much environment can really matter (genetics will lead to your IQ falling in a certain range, but environment decides where in that range it falls). This is a theoretical concept

21
Q

What is evolution

A

Genes and the characteristics they produce changing over many generations of species interbreeding

22
Q

What are mutations

A

Things that continually introduce new genetic variation

23
Q

What genes are more frequent in a population from natural selection

A

Genes that give a species a survival advantage (adaptations)

24
Q

What are domain specific adaptations

A

Adaptations that solve specific problems (eg. mate selection, finding food)

25
Q

What are broad adaptations

A

General, multipurpose, and versatile adaptations (eg. language)

26
Q

What provides input for changes in genes

A

The environment

27
Q

What is evolutionary psychology

A

Asking how behavior has evolved in response to environmental demands

28
Q

What is parental investment

A

The resource investment and risk taken in caring for an offspring

29
Q

Give examples of two extremes in parental investment

A

Humans give a lot of investment while sea turtles give little to none

30
Q

How does parental investment involve choosing mates

A
  • The sex with the greater parental investment will be more discriminating because it wants a partner that can look after its offspring
  • The sex with lesser parental investment will more aggressively compete for mates
31
Q

What is sexual dimorphism and when is it more present within species

A

Sexual dimorphism refers to differences in size between males/females of the same species and is higher with unequal parental investment

32
Q

What is polygyny

A

One male mating with many females

  • Have higher sexual dimorphism
  • Most mammals
  • Investment in offspring is higher among females
33
Q

Monogamy

A

One male with one female

-Offspring are highly reliant on both parents

34
Q

Polyandry

A

One female with many males

-Occurs in some fish and insects and females tend to be larger

35
Q

Polygynandry

A

Both males and females have many mates

  • Found in some primates
  • Less competition meaning more social harmony
36
Q

What is cooperation

A

One individual helps another and they both benefit

37
Q

What is altruism

A

One individual helps another but the helper doesn’t get a benefit

38
Q

Kin selection theory

A

Helping one’s relatives, increasing survival rate and survival of genetic material

39
Q

Reciprocal altruism theory

A

General helping, not based on relatedness (eg. if i help you, I expect you to help me in the future)

40
Q

Describe aggression

A

Aggression may be selected for to a certain degree by natural selection and might have to do with genetics. If an animal is too aggressive, it might pick a fight in which it won’t win. If it isn’t aggressive enough, other animals can steal its resources

41
Q

Describe dominance hierarchies

A

Having certain organisms leading and being seen as above others to reduce conflict and maintain order.

42
Q

How does natural selection select traits

A

It only selects for traits it sees where the benefits outweigh the costs

43
Q

Describe female versus male mate selection

A

Females tend to choose men who are older and have more resources while men choose females who are younger and have a nice appearance

44
Q

What is circular reasoning

A

When asked to prove something, bringing up the prompt (ie. Why does behavior X exist? Because it is adaptive. Why is it adaptive? Because it exists.)

45
Q

What is genetic determinism

A

Believing genes are in control of everything

46
Q

What is social darwinism

A

The idea that some societies are more genetically surperior

47
Q

What is directionality

A

The idea that evolution is always making things better and is moving towards a certain goal

Psychology 104 (9 decks)

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