Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity Flashcards
behavior genetics
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
genome
the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.
temperament
a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.
transgender
an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth sex.
gender role
a set of expected behaviors for males or for females.
identical twins
twins who develop from a single (monozygotic) fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.
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.
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
environment
every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.
interaction
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).
X chromosome
the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.
natural selection
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.
gender identity
our sense of being male or female.
epigenetics
the study of influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change.
norm
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior.
Y chromosome
the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.
genes
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.
gender
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
individualism
giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.
gender-typing
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.
role
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.
testosterone
the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.
aggression
any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.
molecular genetics
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the 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.
evolutionary psychology
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
culture
the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
social learning theory
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished.
collectivism
giving priority to goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work group) and defining one’s identity accordingly.
