Module 11 : Behavior Genetics and Evolutionary Psychology Flashcards
Behavior Genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
DNA
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
Environment
every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.
Epigenetics
the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.
Evolutionary Psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Fraternal Twins
twins who develop from separate (dizygotic) fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.
Gender
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.
Genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.
Genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
Heritability
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
Identical Twins
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
Interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).
Molecular Genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
Mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
