Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity

Question 1

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

Answer 1

behavior genetics

Question 2

the genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring

Answer 2

heredity

Question 3

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

Answer 3

environment

Question 4

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Answer 4

chromosomes

Question 5

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

Answer 5

DNA

Question 6

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

Answer 6

genes

Question 7

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

Answer 7

genome

Question 8

a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

Answer 8

temperament

Question 9

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

Answer 9

heritability

Question 10

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

Answer 10

interaction

Question 11

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

Answer 11

molecular genetics

Question 12

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

Answer 12

molecular behavior genetics

Question 13

the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expressions (without a DNA change)

Answer 13

epigenetics

Question 14

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

Answer 14

evolutionary psychology

Question 15

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

Answer 15

natural selection

Question 16

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Answer 16

mutation

Question 17

a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

Answer 17

social script

Question 18

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

Answer 18

culture

Question 19

and understood rule for accepted and expected behavior: prescribe “proper” behavior

Answer 19

norm

Question 20

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

Answer 20

individualism

Question 21

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

Answer 21

collectivism

Question 22

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

Answer 22

sex

Question 23

in psychology, the behavioral characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman

Answer 23

gender

Question 24

possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics

Answer 24

intersex

Question 25

an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing

Answer 25

relational aggression

Question 26

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

Answer 26

testosterone

Question 27

sex hormones such as estradiol that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than by males

Answer 27

estrogens

Question 28

the period of sexual maturation, when a person becomes capable of reproducing

Answer 28

puberty

Question 29

the bodily structures that make reproduction possible (ovaries, testes, and external genetalia)

Answer 29

primary sex characteristics

Question 30

nonreproductive sexual traits (breasts, hips, voice etc.)

Answer 30

secondary sex characteristics

Question 31

the first ejaculation

Answer 31

spermarche

Question 32

the first menstrual period

Answer 32

menarche

Question 33

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

Answer 33

role

Question 34

a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and for women

Answer 34

gender role

Question 35

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

Answer 35

sexual aggression

Question 36

our sense of being male, female, neither, or a combination of both

Answer 36

gender identity

Question 37

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitation and by being rewarded or punished

Answer 37

social learning theory

Question 38

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

Answer 38

gender typing

Question 39

displaying both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological traits

Answer 39

androgyny

Question 40

an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-assigned sex

Answer 40

transgender