Chapter 4: Genes, evolution, behavior Flashcards
What is nature vs nurture
Nature is what we inherit while nurture is how we are raised
What is false dichotomy
Trying to place something in one of two categories when it isn’t appropriate
What is a genotype
The specific genetic make up of an individual
What is a phenotype
The observable characteristics produced by genetic information
What is DNA made up of
Genes
What are alleles
Different forms of genes that form different characteristics
How do genes exert their effect
They carry codes for protein manufacture and about half code for brain structure/function
What is a dominant gene
A gene that if present, is expressed
What is a recessive gene
A gene that is only expressed if it is inherited by both parents
What is polygenic transmission
A given characteristic is controlled by two or more genes and this greatly complicates the relationship between genes and behavior
What did the human genome project do
It identified and mapped all known genes
What are recombinant DNA procedures
Enzymes cutting/combining DNA from different organisms
What is a gene knockout procedure
Disabling a particular gene
What is herdity
Passing on characteristics through genes
What is heritability
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
What is heritability coefficient
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
What to twin(and adoption) studies allow us to do
They allow us to have a natural experiment that finds variance in behavior from both genetic and environmental factors
What is concordance rate
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
What did the twin adoption studies find
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.
What is reaction range
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
What is evolution
Genes and the characteristics they produce changing over many generations of species interbreeding
What are mutations
Things that continually introduce new genetic variation
What genes are more frequent in a population from natural selection
Genes that give a species a survival advantage (adaptations)
What are domain specific adaptations
Adaptations that solve specific problems (eg. mate selection, finding food)
What are broad adaptations
General, multipurpose, and versatile adaptations (eg. language)
What provides input for changes in genes
The environment
What is evolutionary psychology
Asking how behavior has evolved in response to environmental demands
What is parental investment
The resource investment and risk taken in caring for an offspring
Give examples of two extremes in parental investment
Humans give a lot of investment while sea turtles give little to none
How does parental investment involve choosing mates
- 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
What is sexual dimorphism and when is it more present within species
Sexual dimorphism refers to differences in size between males/females of the same species and is higher with unequal parental investment
What is polygyny
One male mating with many females
- Have higher sexual dimorphism
- Most mammals
- Investment in offspring is higher among females
Monogamy
One male with one female
-Offspring are highly reliant on both parents
Polyandry
One female with many males
-Occurs in some fish and insects and females tend to be larger
Polygynandry
Both males and females have many mates
- Found in some primates
- Less competition meaning more social harmony
What is cooperation
One individual helps another and they both benefit
What is altruism
One individual helps another but the helper doesn’t get a benefit
Kin selection theory
Helping one’s relatives, increasing survival rate and survival of genetic material
Reciprocal altruism theory
General helping, not based on relatedness (eg. if i help you, I expect you to help me in the future)
Describe aggression
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
Describe dominance hierarchies
Having certain organisms leading and being seen as above others to reduce conflict and maintain order.
How does natural selection select traits
It only selects for traits it sees where the benefits outweigh the costs
Describe female versus male mate selection
Females tend to choose men who are older and have more resources while men choose females who are younger and have a nice appearance
What is circular reasoning
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.)
What is genetic determinism
Believing genes are in control of everything
What is social darwinism
The idea that some societies are more genetically surperior
What is directionality
The idea that evolution is always making things better and is moving towards a certain goal
