Chapter 4 Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity recall

Question 1

behavior genetics

Answer 1

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

Question 2

environment

Answer 2

every non-genetic influence from prenatal nutrition to the people and things thing around us.

Question 3

chromosomes

Answer 3

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

Question 4

DNA

Answer 4

deoxyribonucleic acid

Question 5

deoxyribonucleic acid

Answer 5

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

Question 6

genes

Answer 6

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

Question 7

genome

Answer 7

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

Question 8

identical twins

Answer 8

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits into two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

Question 9

monozygotic egg

Answer 9

single fertilized egg.

Question 10

fraternal twins

Answer 10

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs, they are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

Question 11

dizygotic eggs

Answer 11

separate fertilized eggs.

Question 12

temperament

Answer 12

a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

Question 13

molecular genetics

Answer 13

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

Question 14

heritability

Answer 14

the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of population and environments studied.

Question 15

interaction

Answer 15

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

Question 16

epigenetics

Answer 16

the study of influences of gene expression that occur without a DNA change.

Question 17

evolutionary psychology

Answer 17

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

Question 18

natural selection

Answer 18

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Question 19

gender

Answer 19

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

Question 20

culture

Answer 20

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

Question 21

norm

Answer 21

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior.

Question 22

individualism

Answer 22

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

Question 23

collectivism

Answer 23

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

Question 24

aggression

Answer 24

physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone.

Question 25

X chromosome

Answer 25

the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.

Question 26

Y chromosome

Answer 26

the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.

Question 27

Testosterone

Answer 27

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.

Question 28

role

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Gender role

Answer 29

a set of expected behaviors for males or for females.

Question 30

Social learning theory

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Gender identity

Answer 31

our sense of being male or female.

Question 32

Gender typing

Answer 32

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.

Question 33

transgender

Answer 33

the umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth sex.