Class 8 Flashcards
Self-esteem from teen to adulthood
- men tend to increase
- women tend to decrease
Sensation seeking
- increases from childhood to teen (peak at 18-20)
- decreases through adulthood
Can we change our personalities?
- depends on our motivations
- based on setting goals and working towards them
Genome
Entire combination of DNA and genes to create the individual
Chromosome
chain of data, made of DNA (all humans have 23 paired chromosomes)
- identifies if certain traits will be expressed
DNA
Molecules that store info for creating proteins
Gene
- small section of chromosome
- carries info for heritability of traits
- variation in the gene = allele
Genotype
Differences on a genetic level (inherited)
Phenotype
Observable characteristics (not inherited)
Molecular genetics
- DRD4 gene (chromosome 11, linked to dopamine)
long chain = higher in novelty (need more stimuli)
short chain = less risk-taking behaviour (have enough dopamine)
What is the risk of assigning too much to genetics?
- “born bad”
- ignores: role of the environment and personal growth
Heritability
- statistic
- degree to which genetic differences cause difference
- proportion of phenotypic variance that is attributable to genotypic variance
DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS INHERITED
Nature (n VS n)
- biologically based
- innate
- genetics
Nurture (n VS n)
- based on upbringing
- environmental factors
- the change
- environmentalism
Genotypes and the environment
Interaction = reaction
Correlation = selection and exposure
Relations = passive/evocative/active effects
How can we study genetics?
- selective breeding
- family studies
- twin studies
- adoption studies
Selective breeding
- choosing traits that we want to continue in a lineage
- physical or temperamental traits
Family studies
- how much similarity is found within a family
- shared VS non-shared environments
Twin studies
- identical twins shares 100% of the same genes
- fraternal twins share 50% of the same genes
- shared VS non-shared environments
Adoption studies
- selective placement
- strong similarities = genetic
- differences = environmental
