Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, And Human Diversity Flashcards
behavior genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
environment
every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
DNA
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes the chromosomes.
genes
ghe biochemical units of herefity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
identical twins
twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating twp genetically identical organisms.
separated twins
twins separated at birth, raised in a different environment and people
genetic relatives
biologically related people
environmental relatives
adoptive parents, family members
temperament
a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. the heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
gene-environment interaction
gene influences environment, and the environment influenced gene activation.
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
evolutionary psychologists
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
natural selection
the principle that, among the rang of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
mutations
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
gender
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.
parental influence
influence political attitudes, religious beliefs, and personal manners
peer influence
influence language and other behavior
culture
the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
norms
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. norms prescribe ‘proper’ behavior.
personal space
the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies.
individualism
giving priority to one;s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.