evolution, genes, environment and behavior Flashcards
kapittel 3
evolution (biological)
gradual change over time in organic life from one form into another.
natural selection
characteristics that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction within a particular environment will be preserved in the population and therefore become more frequent over time.
mutations
random events and accidents in gene reproduction during the division of cells.
dominant
the particular characteristic tat it controls will be displayed.
recessive
the characteristics will not show up unless the partner gene inherited from the other parent is also recessive.
allele
alternative forms of gene that produce different characteristics.
polygenic transmission
when a number of gene pairs combine their influences to create a single phenotypic traits.
genotype
the specific and complete genetic make-up of the individual.
phenotype
the individual’s outward observable characteristics.
adaptations
physical or behavioral changes that allow organisms to meet recurring environmental challenges to their survival, thereby increasing their reproductive ability.
genes
functional segments of the long molecule deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, that code for proteins.
chromosome
a single- or double- stranded structure comprising proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
somatic
a somatic cell is any cell forming the body of an organism; they do not contain reproductive cells.
diploid
the number of chromosomes carried by a cell with two complete sets of chromosomes (one from each parent) is called the diploid number of chromosomes.
gametes
sex cels (eggs and sperm)
haploid
the number of chromosomes carried by a gamete cell, which is half the number of chromosomes carried in a typical cell, is called the haploid number of chromosomes.
zygote
a fertilized egg containing 46 pairs of chromosomes.
nucleotides
nitrogenous base, phosphate and sugar groups.
inherited behavioral adaptions
traits that organisms are born with that help promote their chances of survival and reproductive success.
fixed action pattern (FAP)
an unlearned response automatically triggered by a particular stimulus.
releasing stimuli
external stimuli that trigger fixed action patterns.
behavioral genetics
a field of psychological science dedicated to investigating how genes and the environmental factors interact during the course of development so as to affect behavior.
degree of relatedness
the proportion of genes we inherit form others by direct common descent.
shared environment
the environmental factors that certain individuals (eg, twins) share in common (such as the same parents or physical home environment)
non-shared environment
the environmental factors that certain individuals (e.g., twins) do not share with each other (such as specific friendship groups or unique individual experiences)
single nucleotide polymorphisms
the units of variation in the genetic code of our DNA.
genome-wide association (GWA) studies
studies that ,ay scan the whole genome of many individuals in order to identify genetic markers for behavioral traits or diseases.
gene chip
a microarray that can sample DNA from an individual to identify the expression of a wide range of genes across the genome.
polygenic score
the summed effect of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on a given trait.
adoption study
adoption studies make us of the fact that adopted children share a greater proportion of their genes with their biological parents and siblings than their adopted parents and siblings, to draw conclusions about the relative roles of genes and the environment in psychological and behavioral traits.
twin studies
compare trait similarities in identical and fraternal twins.
concordance rates
statistical expression of the probability that two individuals with shared genes will share a particular trait to the same degree.
heritability coefficient
estimates the extent to which the differences, or variation, in a specific phenotypic characteristic within a group of people can be attributed to their differing genes.
reaction range
the range of possibilities- the range of possibilities- the upper and lower limits- that the genetic code allows.
passive gene- environment correlation
an association between the child’s genetic inheritance and the environment In which they are raised.
evocative gene- environment correlation
where a child’s genetically influenced behaviors evoke certain responses from other in their environment
active gene-environment correlation
an association between genotype and the environments that genotype leads someone to seek out.
evolutionary psychology
a growing discipline that seeks to explain how evolution shaped modern human behavior.
kin selection
an evolutionary strategy in which behaviors are selected that favor the reproductive success of an organisms relatives even if that is at a cost to that organisms own survival and reproduction.
reciprocal altruism
a behavior in an organism that reduces its fitness to survive and reproduce while increasing another organisms fitness; undertaken with the expectation that the favor will be returned later.
evolutionary personality theory
looks for the origin of presumably universal personality traits in the adoptive demands of our species´ evolutionary history.
strategic pluralism
the idea that multiple- even contradictory- behavioral strategies might be adoptive in certain environments and would therefore be maintained through natural selection.
