Module 1.1

Question 1

Nature-Nurture Issue

Answer 1

the longstanding controversy over the relative contributions that genes and experience make to the development of psychological traits and behaviors. Today’s science sees traits and behaviors arising from the interaction of nature and nurture.

Question 2

Natural Selection

Answer 2

the principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Question 3

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 3

The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

Question 4

Behavior Genetics

Answer 4

The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Question 5

Mutation

Answer 5

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change.

Question 6

Environment

Answer 6

Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to our experiences of the people and things around us.

Question 7

Heredity

Answer 7

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Question 8

Genome

Answer 8

The complete instructions for making an organism.

Question 9

Fraternal (Dizygotic) Twins

Answer 9

Individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. They are no genetically closer than ordinary siblings, but they share a prenatal environment.

Question 10

Interaction

Answer 10

The interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).

Question 11

Epigenetics

Answer 11

“above” or “in addition to” (epi) genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence genetic expression (without a DNA change).

Question 12

Identical (Monozygotic) twins

Answer 12

Individuals who developed from a single fertilized egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.