Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity

Question 1

behavior genetics?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

hereditary?

Answer 2

the transfer of genetic information from parent to offspring

Question 3

environment?

Answer 3

every non-genetic influence such as nutrition, people, and things around us

Question 4

chromosome?

Answer 4

structures made of dna molecules that contain genes: we have 46, 23 pairs

Question 5

how many genes do we have and what are the two types?

Answer 5

20,000: inactive or active

Question 6

what is dna?

Answer 6

deoxyribonucleic acid: a molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosome

Question 7

genes?

Answer 7

the units of hereditary information that make up the chromosomes: small segments of dna are capable of synthesizing proteins

Question 8

genome?

Answer 8

instructions for making an organism consisting of all genetic material in that organisms chromosomes: the shared genetic profile is what makes us human instead of tulips

Question 9

identical twins and their differences?

Answer 9

identical twins/monozygotic twins are individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that splits into two creating two genetically identical organisms: the differences may be that one may have different placenta and they may not have the same number of copies which can explain why one twin may have a higher risk of certain illnesses/conditions.

Question 10

fraternal twins?

Answer 10

individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs: they are no closer genetically than ordinary siblings

Question 11

if an identical twin has autism spectrum disorder or fraternal, what are the risks of the other person getting it as well?

Answer 11

3 in 4 risk if identical and 1 in 3 if fraternal

Question 12

temperament?

Answer 12

a persons characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

Question 13

heritability?

Answer 13

the proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes

Question 14

if environment were to get similar, would heritability increase or decrease?

Answer 14

increase

Question 15

interaction?

Answer 15

the effect of one factor such as environment depends on another factor such as heredity

Question 16

molecular genetics?

Answer 16

a part of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

Question 17

molecular behavior genetics?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

epigenetics?

Answer 18

above or in addition to genetics. the study of which environments can influence gene expression without a dna change

Question 19

what is the difference between evolutionary psychologists and behavior geneticists?

Answer 19

behavior geneticists explore the genetic and environmental roots of human differences and evolutionary psychologists focus on what makes us alike as humans and they use the principle of natural selection.

Question 20

evolutionary psychology?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

natural selection?

Answer 21

the process in which traits that enhance survival and reproduction will be passed on to generations changing the heritable characteristics in a population over time

Question 22

mutation?

Answer 22

a random error in gene replication

Question 23

fitness?

Answer 23

our ability to survive and reproduce

Question 24

our similarities arise from?

Answer 24

human genome

Question 25

social script?

Answer 25

a culturally modelled guide for how to act in various situations

Question 26

culture?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

norm?

Answer 27

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior

Question 28

individualism?

Answer 28

when someone gives priority to their own goals over group goals: they strive for personal control and individual achievement

Question 29

collectivism?

Answer 29

giving priority to the goals of ones group instead of individual goals: collectivists have deep attachments to their groups.

Question 30

sex?

Answer 30

biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male or female

Question 31

gender?

Answer 31

the behavioral characteristics that people associate with boy or girl or man or female

Question 32

intersex?

Answer 32

possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth

Question 33

how many chromosomes are the same for males and females?

Answer 33

45 of the chromosomes are unisex: they are the same for everyone

Question 34

the average male and female differ in?

Answer 34

aggression, social power, and connectedness

Question 35

aggression?

Answer 35

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

Question 36

relational aggression?

Answer 36

an act of physical or verbal aggression intended to harm a persons relationship or social standing

Question 37

what is male answer syndrome?

Answer 37

when males will keep giving random answers to a question instead of just admitting they dont know the answer

Question 38

social connectedness?

Answer 38

males tend to be more independent but women are more interdependent and want more intimate relationships

Question 39

genetically vs physiologically?

Answer 39

genetically we have different sex chromosomes and physiologically we have different concentrations of sex hormones which trigger other differences

Question 40

x chromosome?

Answer 40

the sex chromosome found in both males and females. females have 2 x chromosomes, males have one.

Question 41

y chromosome?

Answer 41

the sex chromosome found in males only. xy = male child.

Question 42

testosterone?

Answer 42

the most important male sex hormone: males and females both have it but additional testosterone in the 7th week stimulates the growth of male sex organs and development of male sex characteristics during puberty

Question 43

estrogen?

Answer 43

sex hormone that contributes to female sex characteristics and secreted in greater amounts by females than males

Question 44

puberty?

Answer 44

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

Question 45

primary sex characteristics?

Answer 45

ovaries, testes, and external genetilia that make sexual reproduction possible develop dramatically

Question 46

secondary sex characteristics?

Answer 46

nonreproductive sexual traits such as breasts and male voice quality and body hair

Question 47

what is spermarche?

Answer 47

the first ejaculation which happens by about age 14 in males

Question 48

menarche?

Answer 48

first menstrual period which happens within a year of age 12 and a half

Question 49

what are some reasons a girl can get her period faster?

Answer 49

fathers absence, sexual abuse, insecure attachments, history of mother smoking during pregnancy, or just stress

Question 50

klinefelter syndrome?

Answer 50

when a genetic male is born with 2 x chromosomes but also y

Question 51

turner syndrome?

Answer 51

when a genetic female is born with only one normal x chromosome

Question 52

role?

Answer 52

a set of expectations about a social position and how the people in that social position should behave

Question 53

gender role?

Answer 53

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

Question 54

sexual aggression?

Answer 54

any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally: sexual harrassment or sexual assault

Question 55

gender identity?

Answer 55

our sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination

Question 56

binary vs nonbinary?

Answer 56

binary is male or female: nonbinary is not male or female or combo

Question 57

social learning theory?

Answer 57

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

Question 58

gender typing?

Answer 58

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

Question 59

androgyny?

Answer 59

displaying both male and female characteristics

Question 60

transgender?

Answer 60

when someones gender identity or expression differs from their birth assigned sex

Question 61

sexual orientation vs gender identity?

Answer 61

sexual orientation is who you fantasize about going to bed with and gender identity is who you go to bed as.