Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity - Vocabulary Flashcards
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and
environmental influences on behavior.
Behavior Genetics
The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.
Heredity
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the
genes.
Chromosomes
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.
DNA
The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; small segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.
Genes
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the
genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes
Genome
Monozygotic Individuals who developed from a single fertilized
egg that split in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.
Identical Twins
Individuals who developed from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than ordinary siblings but shared a prenatal environment.
Fraternal Twins (dizygotic)
A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
Temperament
The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we
can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.
Heritability
“Above” or “in addition to (episode) genetics; the study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expression (without a
DNA change).
Epigenetics
The study of the evolutions of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Evolutionary Psychology
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.
Natural Selection
A culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations.
Social Script
The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
Culture
An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior.
Norm
Giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining
one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications
Individualism
Giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended
family or work group) and defining one’s iden0ty accordingly.
Collectivism
In psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex
Sex
In psychology, the behavioral characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman.
Gender
Possessing male and female biological sexual characteris0cs at birth
Intersex
The sex chromosome found in males and females. Females typically have two X chromosomes; males typically have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.
X Chromosome
The sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired
with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.
Y Chromosome
The most important male sex hormone. Males and females have it,
but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.
Testosterone
Sex hormones, such as estradiol, that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than by males
Estrogens
The period of sexual maturation when a person becomes capable of
reproducing.
Puberty
The body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible.
Primary Sex Characteristics
Nonreproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
The first ejaculation
Spermarche
The first menstrual period
Menarche
A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and for
women.
Gender Role
Our sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination
of male and female.
Gender Identity
The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished.
Social Learning Theory
The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.
Gender Typing
Displaying both traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics
Androgyny
An umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-assigned sex.
Transgender
