Module 1.1

Question 1

Heredity/Nature

Answer 1

refers to genetic or predisposed characteristics that influence physical, behavioral, and mental traits and processes

Question 2

Environmental factors/nurture

Answer 2

refers to the external factors that one experiences, such as family interactions or education.

Question 3

Evolutionary perspective

Answer 3

explores how natural selection affects the expression of behavior and mental processes to increase survival and reproductive success.

Question 4

eugenics

Answer 4

is the scientifically erroneous and immoral theory of “racial improvement” and “planned breeding,” which gained popularity during the early 20th century. Eugenicists worldwide believed that they could perfect human beings and eliminate so-called social ills through genetics and heredity.

Question 5

Twin studies

Answer 5

The purpose of such research is usually to assess the relative contributions of heredity and environment to some attribute. Specifically, twin studies often involve comparing the characteristics of identical and fraternal twins and comparing twins of both types who have been reared together or reared apart. For example, two types of study have been used to investigate intelligence in twins: (a) identical twins reared apart—here, the genotypes (genetic makeups) are identical, but as there is no shared environment, any disparity in intelligence must result from the different environments; and (b) comparisons between identical twins reared together and fraternal twins reared together—here, one can assume that each pair of twins shares the same environment, but whereas the identical twins have 100% of their genes in common, the fraternal twins share only 50% of their genes, suggesting that if the identical twins show a greater similarity in intelligence than do the fraternal twins, the genes must play a role in that trait. The assumptions made in these studies are, however, never completely fulfilled. For example, the identical twins reared apart have had some common environment, if only their intrauterine experiences. Moreover, identical twins reared together usually have more similar environments than fraternal twins raised together.

Question 6

Family studies

Answer 6

Research conducted among siblings, parents, or children to assess evidence for genetic links for characteristics or outcomes, often related to health or disease.

Question 7

adoption studies

Answer 7

a research design that investigates the relationships among genetic and environmental factors in the development of personality, behavior, or disorder by comparing the similarities of biological parent–child pairs with those of adoptive parent–child pairs.