Exam 1 Lecture 5 Flashcards
how did the chimp display self-recognition?
looked at itself in the mirror and touched the dot on its head
What other animals display self-recognition?
mice, gorillas, orangutans, elephants, horses, dolphins, rats and dogs rely more on scent; this shows a different form of self-awareness
Do chickens pass the mirror test? Do they show any self-awareness?
Chickens do not pass the mirror test. However, chickens display self-awareness when reacting to hawk
threats. They release alarm calls when other chickens are present but not when only a reflection is visible. This suggests chickens have a sense of self in a social context, not relying solely on visual recognition.
theory of mind
refers to the ability to recognize that others have mental states that differ from one’s own.
scrub jays
Hide food in different locations, a behavior that appears to be influenced by their recognition of others lack of knowledge. When one scrub jay sees another bird leave, it returns to its food stash,
which it hides again to prevent the other bird from accessing it. This behavior suggests that scrub jays understand that others may not
have the same information they do about the food’s location.
Do humans have a greater theory of mind compared to other species?
yes
what is behavior shaped by?
Behavior is shaped by genetics, past experiences, and the current
environment. Learning experiences influence how behavior is reinforced or modified.
can behavior be influenced by reinforcement?
Behavior can be influenced by reinforcement, which either
increases or decreases the likelihood of a response.
child molester example
A child molester may be seen as a “bad person” by society
but is treated differently by clinical psychologists. Psychologists view the molester as a person whose behavior is shaped by genes, past experiences, and the current
situation. The role of the psychotherapist is to prevent the behavior from recurring by understanding and addressing these influences, rather than focusing on punishment or blame.
Society typically assumes that the molester made a free-willed, immoral choice, but psychologists focus on rehabilitation, not moral judgment.
ways to fix child molesters
Incarceration, though costly and problematic, may prevent
harmful actions. Psychotherapy, which can involve interventions like
restrictions (e.g., preventing someone from approaching a
school). Drug therapy or psychosurgery, though drastic, may modify problematic behaviors, such as reducing sexual offenses. The focus is not on labeling individuals as “bad” but understanding
the role of genes and prior experiences in shaping their behavior.
A student had a seizure. Does this mean nature or nurture was at play?
both
how many genes are in the genetic makeup of a person?
22,000 genes
what shapes individual traits?
Together, genotype and experience shape individual traits.
trait space
how genotype and
experience contribute to different traits.
For example, hair color is influenced by a narrow range of
genes but can vary across many experiences.
Algebra abilities are influenced by a wider range of experiences, with genes playing a less significant role.
Can hair color be determined by environment?
Someone may have the genes for blonde hair but could end up with
a different hair color due to environmental factors or health
conditions.
cloning
involves creating an organism with the same genetic material as
another organism. (remove the nucleus from an egg cell and
replace it with the nucleus from a stem cell of an adult organism.) The cloned organism will have the same genotype as the donor organism
if something is cloned does that mean it will look exactly the same?
no because the environmental factors will change appearance
Why is cloning used today?
Cloning is commonly done in species like cows and sheep for agricultural purposes, though cloning humans is ethically debated. The process is becoming more accessible, with advancements in technology making it cheaper and more feasible.
What is pKu
PKU is a genetic disorder where individuals lack the enzyme to break down phenylalanine. Phenylalanine builds up in the brain, causing developmental issues. This was initially thought to be a genetic trait causing mental
retardation. Food can prevent this buildup if you avoid foods with phenylalanine. (nature and nurture)
how much alleles do siblings including fraternal twins share?
50%
how much alleles do a parent and offspring share?
50%
how much alleles do monozygotic twins share?
100%
how much alleles do grandparents and grandchildren share?
25%
how much alleles do aunts and uncles share with nieces and nephews
25%
how much alleles do first cousins share?
12.5%
how much alleles do second cousins share?
6.25%
