Genetic Components

Question 1

When you see this, study the misunderstandings about natural selection table

Answer 1

typing that all out was gonna make me sick hell no

Question 2

What are three ways in which the genetic vs experiential impacts on personality can be studied?

Answer 2

Twins

Infants

Pathology inheritance

Question 3

Many genes involved

Answer 3

Polygenic inheritance

Question 4

For a genetically-linked trait, correlations between closer relations should be — than those between further relations.

Answer 4

Higher

Question 5

Phenotype = — + —

Answer 5

Genotype + environment

Question 6

What are two reasons why studying individual variances in phenotype are difficult?

Answer 6

Genotype-environment interactions

Genotype-environment correlations

Question 7

Provide an example of a genotype-environment interaction

Answer 7

Two people might have a genotype for an anxiety disorder, but only one of them develops the disorder (exposed to the “trigger”)

Question 8

What are the three types of genotype-environment correlations?

Answer 8

Active: we seek out certain environments

Reactive: we react differently depending on personality

Evocative: our reactions change the environment

Question 9

Provide an example each for the three types of genotype-environment correlations?

Answer 9

Choosing to spend a Friday night at home vs out (active)

Relationships with peers or teachers (reactive)

A more outgoing child might receive more attention from teachers (evocative)

Question 10

What is a main challenge concerning twin studies?

Answer 10

Behavioural genetics requires huge samples
(N=100-500 pairs of twins); Limited populations

Question 11

What was the general finding of the meta-analyses of twin studies and personality traits discussed in class?

Answer 11

Correlations of traits increase with genetic similarity

There is a genetic component to many personality characteristics, but it is complicated and is not the only explanation for stability

Question 12

Describe the evidence of the genetic impact on personality provided by studies of those with Angelman syndrome and Down syndrome

Answer 12

Happy personalities;
Shared physical characteristics and personality characteristics

Question 13

Describe complications related to studies of those with Angelman syndrome and Down syndrome

Answer 13

Researchers’ amd parents’ descriptions: Generally pleasant and positive

But some research: Poor task persistence, lots of off-task social behaviours, stubborn

Contrast indicates some interaction here

Question 14

Describe the personality-motivation profile of those with genetic/developmental disorders such as Angelman syndrome and Down syndrome

Answer 14

(positive mood & sociable) + (low persistence and ‘quitting out’)

Question 15

Describe the hypothesis relating genotype-environment correlations to Angelman syndrome and Down syndrome and its implications

Answer 15

Hypothesis: cognitive weaknesses paired with social strengths lead children to use a social strategy

Implication: early training on instrumental requests could improve persistence on tasks

Question 16

Briefly describe epigenetics

Answer 16

DNA methylation means genes are marked by history of parent/relatives

Chemical marker modifies the relationship between genotype and phenotype

Question 17

Behaviour can change even though underlying psychological processes remain the same

Answer 17

Heterotypic continuity

Question 18

Genetically-driven — can be considered a precursor to —

Answer 18

Temperament, traits