Genes, Environment, Brains and Behaviour Flashcards
Definition of genotype
Genetic makeup of an organism, combination of alleles situated on corresponding chromosomes that determine a specific trait
Definition of phenotype
Observable physical/behavioural characteristics of an organism which can be seen/measured
Definition of quantitative genetic designs
Used to identify to what extent a phenotype is influenced by genes or the environment
Can’t reveal which genes are responsible for the phenotype in question
Definition of molecular genetic designs
Used to find which gene is responsible for a phenotype
Can’t reveal what extent a phenotype is influenced by genes/environment
Definition of epigenetics
Changes in gene expression that are not due to changes in DNA sequence but can be heritable and mediate the effect of the environment
Definition of causal explanation
Finding causal links between 2 events
a => b
Definition of functional explanation
Considering its evoluntionary advantage in terms of survival
Definition of gene x environment interaction
Different effects of a genotype on a behaviour disease risk in persons with different environmnental exposure
What is the conclusion to the nature vs nurture debate
Most aspects of behaviour are an interaction of the 2
What are 2 types of genetic design
Quantitative
- identify what extent a phenotype is influenced by genes/environment
- can’t tell you the genes responsible
Molecule
- identify which genes are responsible for a phenotype
- can’t tell you what extent a phenotype is influenced by genes/environment
What are the 3 types of quantitative genetic design
Family studies
- Identify disorder is familar
- Can’t tell if familiarity is genetic/environmental
Adoption studies
-Identify environmental and genetic effects by comparing adoptees with adoptive and biological parents
Twin studies
-Identify genetic shared and non shred environmental effects in MZ and DZ
Why is it difficult to establish a chain of causation between genes and behaviour
Many genes with small size effects each
Epistasis
Epigenetics
Genes x environment interactions
What are the core concepts in linking genes and environmnent
Identify the role that different brain regions play in the production of behaviour and mental events/mind
Brain damage gives us clues about normal brain function
New properties can’t be understood unless you analyse lower level compartments
Why is it hard to fin causal relationships to neuroscience findings applied to human behaviour
A large range of timescales involved (many generations may be included)
Too many factors to consider
