Early Influences on Development - Nature vs. Nurture

Question 1

There are three main mechanisms of genetic inheritance. They are:

Answer 1

Single gene-pair inheritance
Sex-linked inheritance
Polygenic inheritance

Question 2

This refers to observable characteristics which are influenced by genetics and environmental factors

Answer 2

Phenotype

Question 3

As opposed to the visible expression of genetic makeup, pure genetic heritability is known as

Answer 3

Genotype

Question 4

Regarding the role of environment on gene expression, a limited period of time in which exposure to certain environmental events is necessary for development to occur is known as:

Answer 4

A critical period

Question 5

Regarding the role of environment on gene expression, a longer period of time in which exposure to certain environmental events is optimal (but not necessary) for development to occur is known as:

Answer 5

A sensitive period

Question 6

According to Bouchard and McGue, the median correlation coefficient for heritability of IQ in identical twins raised together is:

Answer 6

.85

Question 7

This regards both nature and nurture to be essential for development. It’s based on the assumption that development is not simply the result of physical maturation but, instead, “is a complex process that involves the interaction of biology, environment, how we control ourselves and interact with others, and how we think about, or represent, our experiences in our minds” (Levine & Munsch, 2014)

Answer 7

Dynamic Systems Theory

While milestones happen at relatively similar ages, the way they develop individually varies based on individual, environment, and individual goals.

Question 8

Regarding genotype-environment correlations, this occurs when children inherit genes from their parents that predispose them to have certain characteristics and are exposed to environments by their parents that support the development of those characteristics. For example, the children of sociable parents are likely to be genetically predisposed to being sociable, and their parents will provide them with many opportunities to participate in social activities.

Answer 8

Passive genotype-environment correlation

Question 9

Regarding genotype-environment correlations, this occurs when a child’s genetic make-up evokes certain kinds of reactions from parents and other people that reinforce the child’s genetic make-up. A sociable child will react to others in ways that encourage them to respond to the child in socially reinforcing ways.

Answer 9

Evocative genotype-environment correlation

Question 10

Regarding genotype-environment correlations, this is also referred to as niche-picking and occurs when children actively seek experiences that “fit” their genetic predispositions. Sociable children and adolescents will actively seek opportunities for social interactions.

Answer 10

Active genotype-environment correlation

Question 11

Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory distinguished between the following five environmental systems:

Answer 11

• Microsystem
• Mesosystem
• Exosystem
• Macrosystem
• Chronosystem

Question 12

According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, the immediate environment - which includes a child’s family, friends, school, and neighborhood - is know as what?

Answer 12

Microsystem

Question 13

According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, the interactions between components of the microsystem. For example, difficulties with family resulting in problems at school.

Answer 13

Mesosystem

Question 14

According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, this system includes aspects of the environment that the child is affected by but doesn’t directly interact with. For example, their parents’ workplaces, law enforcement agencies, or community health agencies.

Answer 14

Exosystem

Question 15

According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, this system is the sociocultural contexts in which all other systems are imbedded and affect the child’s development. It includes socioeconomic conditions, cultural values and patterns, religious beliefs and political philosophies.

Answer 15

Macrosystem

Question 16

According to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, this system includes events which change the child’s development over time, including life transitions, and developmental and historical events.

Answer 16

Chronosystem

Question 17

This is the study of changes in organisms brought about by modification of gene expression, rather than by alteration of the genetic code in the form of DNA.

Answer 17

Epigenetics

Environmental and psychosocial factors that have been identified as potential causes of epigenetic changes include diet, environmental pollutants, and child abuse. Finally, there’s some evidence that certain epigenetic changes in an individual can be passed down to one or more generations of descendants of that individual (Masterpasqua, 2009).

Question 18

When a genetically inherited trait is influenced by multiple genes (as most traits are), this is known as what type of inheritance?

Answer 18

Polygenic