Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity Flashcards
the study of relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences of behavior
behavior genetics
the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring
heredity
every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
environment
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
chromosomes
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
DNA
the biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes; small segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins
genes
the complete instructions for making and organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
genome
a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
temperament
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 populations and environments studied
heritability
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heritability)
interaction
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
molecular genetics
the study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior
molecular behavior genetics
the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expressions (without a DNA change)
epigenetics
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
evolutionary psychology
the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generation
natural selection
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change
mutation
a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
social script
the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
culture
and understood rule for accepted and expected behavior: prescribe “proper” behavior
norm
giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications
individualism
giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often extended family or work group) and defining one’s identity accordingly
collectivism
in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex
sex
in psychology, the behavioral characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman
gender
possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics
intersex
an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing
relational aggression
the most important male sex hormone. males and females have it, but the additional _______ in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
testosterone
sex hormones such as estradiol that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than by males
estrogens
the period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing
puberty
the bodily structures that make reproduction possible (ovaries, testes, and external genetalia)
primary sex characteristics
nonreproductive sexual traits (breasts, hips, voice etc.)
secondary sex characteristics
the first ejaculation
spermarche
the first menstrual period
menarche
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
role
a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and for women
gender role
any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or in intended to harm someone; can be expressed as either sexual harassment or sexual assault
sexual aggression
our sense of being male, female, neither, or a combination of both
gender identity
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitation and by being rewarded or punished
social learning theory
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
gender typing
displaying both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological traits
androgyny
an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-assigned sex
transgender
