nature and nurture interplay

Question 1

epigenic influences

Answer 1

how environment gets under our skin and influences our gene environment

Question 2

types of interplay

Answer 2

epigenetics: E > G

gene environment correlation: G > E

gene-environment interaction: G x E

Question 3

genetic material (DNA)

Answer 3

• passed on from parents to offspring
• genome built up of 3 bil nucleotide base pairs
• 20,000 - 25,000 genes in the human genome
• only 1% of info varies between individuals –> potentially contributing to individual differences

Question 4

gene expression

Answer 4

the process by which the DNA sequence is converted into certain proteins over life/development

• all cells have the same genes but different proteins are made in different cells at different times

Question 5

genetics determines..

Answer 5

what specific proteins are synthesised

Question 6

epigenetics determines..

Answer 6

how much of the proteins is made, and where and when it is synthesized

Question 7

DNA methylation

Answer 7

methyl groups attach to DNA stopping DNA from being read and proteins being made

Question 8

factors that influence DNA methylation (epigenic modulation)

Answer 8

• diet
• smoking
• drugs
• social interactions
• psychological status

Question 9

example of psychosocial interactions influencing how genes express: Maternal licking and offspring behaviour

Answer 9

two groups:
high licking and grooming -> incr gene expression, high corticosterone levels, low anxiety

low licking and grooming
-> decr gene expression, low corticosterone levels, high anxiety

• nurturing behaviour of rat mother determines methylation, low = methylates a gene which in turn causes anxiety

long-term effects

Question 10

gene-environment correlation

Answer 10

individuals create environments for themselves that support the expressions of their inherited traits

Question 11

3 types of genetic environment correlation

Answer 11

passive: parental genes influence parental behaviours that play a role in determining the kind of rearing environment that they provide

evocative: child genes influence child behaviours that play a role in evoking different types of responses in other people

active: child genes influence child behaviours that play a role in determining how children shape and select their environments

Question 12

3 types of genetic environment correlation: passive

Answer 12

passive: parental genes influence parental behaviours that play a role in determining the kind of rearing environment that they provide

Question 13

3 types of genetic environment correlation: evocative

Answer 13

evocative: child genes influence child behaviours that play a role in evoking different types of responses in other people

Question 14

3 types of genetic environment correlation: active

Answer 14

active: child genes influence child behaviours that play a role in determining how children shape and select their environments

Question 15

passive source

Answer 15

parents and siblings

Question 16

evocative source

Answer 16

anybody

Question 17

active source

Answer 17

anybody or anything

Question 18

examples of passive GE correlation

Answer 18

• parents with high IQ provide genes and enriched rearing environments e.g. museums
• parents with antisocial behaviour gene - child experiences antisocial family maltreatment

Question 19

examples of evocative GE correlation

Answer 19

• children with genetic risk for behavioural problems evoke a negative type of parenting or negative reaction from peers
• children with positive personalities e.g. extraversion evoke more positive responses from parents/peers

Question 20

evocative rGE and adoptive families

Answer 20

• children with biological parents with high levels of behaviour problems at risk because adoptive parents gave more negative responses

Question 21

examples of active rGE

Answer 21

• athletic individual seeks out athletic endeavours
• antisocial person seeks out antisocial peers
• rich get richer effect

Question 22

rGE across development

Answer 22

• relative importance of the 3 kinds of rGE declines from infacncy to adolescence
• e.g. influence of passive rGE declines whereas importance of active rGE increases from infancy to adolescence
• degree to which experience is influenced by individual genetic factors increases w development:
• new genes become important
• individuals select own experiences

Question 23

genetic innovation

Answer 23

new genes become important

Question 24

genetic amplification

Answer 24

induiiduals select their own experiences

Question 25

G x E genetic influences of trait depend on environment

Answer 25

e.g. antisocial behaviour gene = only established if in an antisocial environment

Question 26

gene - environment interaction: GxE

Answer 26

• genetically influenced sensitivity to specific environments
• genetic influences on a trait depend on the environment
• specific environments and genetic susceptibilities to these environments predict a trait

Question 27

example of G x E interaction

Answer 27

higher child conduct problems = higher risk of maltreatment

Question 28

diathesis stress model

Answer 28

• need a combination of both the gene and the environment for the gene to happen

Question 29

differential susceptibility model

Answer 29

• may have genetic propensities depending on the environment - more of a SUSCEPTIBILITY
• positive environment = lower risk of manifestation
• negative makes it a higher risk of manifestation