Introduction to psychology Chapter 3 (Genetics and Evolution) Flashcards
what is the advantage of unfaithfulness in human mating system?
a man can increase his chances of offspring with his genes
a woman can have children even if her husband’s sperm are incapable of, increase the chances of supirior offspring and get provision from more than one man
what are the 4 forms of mating systems
polygyny: high female and low male parental investment
polyandry: low female and high male parental investment
monogamy: equal investment from both sexes
promiscuity: high parental investment in a group
how is the rate of evolution affected
by a change in enviroment
what is functionalism
It attempts to explain what certain behaviour accomplished for an individual
it contains distal and proximate explanations
what is the difference between heterozygous and homozygous
alleles that are not identical are heterozygous
alleles that are are homozygous
what are homologies and how are they useful?
homologies are similarity in different species through common ancestors.
they are useful because human behaviour can be studied in other species as well, and also because complex behaviour can be reconstructed and understanded how they evolved
describe 2 forms of helping (promoting another’s survival and reproduction)
cooperation: helping others while also getting help back (hunting in packs)
altruism: helping others without any advantage (comes because it helps relatives and because there are long term advantages if the others help back)
how are genes involved in long term behavioural changes
Experience activates genes, which produce proteins, which in turn alter the function of brain parts which can alter the individuals behaviour
Name one example of how the environment can activate genes
food activates growth
exercise activates muscle growth
what are analogies and how are they useful
analogies are similarities not because of behaviour but because of similar use in different species (wings).
they are useful because the reason for behaviour and similarities can be understood (distal explanations)
How to genes cause behaviour
Genes cause proteins
Proteins code physical structures (e.g. brain parts)
physical structures cause behaviour
how does natural selection work
a gene with a trait that enhances survival and reproduction will be passed down to future generations.
Mutations provide genetic diversity on which natural selection operates.
why are there no better solutions through evolution
because evolution can only lead to immediate adaptive changes
it also doesnt have a right or wrong
what is the difference between a categorically and a continuous gene
categorically genes follow all or none principle which means they are single gene traits (only two options)
continuous genes have many varying degrees and therefore are influenced by many gene traits
what are species typical behaviours?
behaviours that characterise a species, like meowing
they may require learning
they come through biological preparedness: having anatomical structures that permit or motivate the behaviour
