genetic approach to personality

Question 1

heritability

Answer 1

extent to which genes predict behaviour

Question 2

if heritability measure is close to zero..

Answer 2

it means that genetics have little influence and that environmental factors are dominant

religion and language spoken have nothing to do with genetics

Question 3

our genes are determined at

Answer 3

conception

Question 4

90% of genes are inherited

Answer 4

across all human species

Question 5

set of genes is called

Answer 5

genotype

Question 6

behavioural geneticist asks

Answer 6

What is estimate of influence of genotype on
phenotype?”
– Are people of the same genetic material more
similar on phenotypes than those of less similar
genetic material?

Question 7

personality characteristic

Answer 7

phenotype

Question 8

Estimate of influence of genotype on phenotype is

Answer 8

estimate of heritability

Question 9

can range from 0.0 to 1.0

Answer 9

if 0.0, means no influence of genotype on phenotype
– if 1.0, means variation in phenotypic scores in a given pop
entirely predicted by variation in genotypes
– If 0.50, means 50% of variability in phenotype in a given pop
is predicted by variation in genotypes

• note that estimates apply to population, not
  individual!

Question 10

Heritability estimates are

Answer 10

tied to a place and time.

Question 11

If everyone in a pop has exactly same
environment

Answer 11

then influence of genotypes will tend to be greater

Question 12

if environment differs greatly across pop

Answer 12

then influence of genotypes will be less

Question 13

Traits are influenced by

Answer 13

genotypes

Question 14

genes do not influence

Answer 14

our behaviours directly

Question 15

genetic influence on traits

Answer 15

• leads individuals who are genetically similar to
  develop similar phenotypes

– degree of similarity of genes corresponds to
degree of similarity of phenotype