Part 1: Nature Vs. Nurture Flashcards
What is Epigenetic
- Study of changes in organisms caused by modifications in gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code
- changes from environmental factors
- decides how much genes are expressed from your body
- Tells genome what to do and the genome does the work
What are histones?
Proteins that change how tightly or loosely the DNA winds around them
- Tight = less of that gene is express
- Loose = more of that gene is express
What is Heritability?
How much a trait is due to genetics
EX: Height is 92% heritable
Applies to population, not to one person
What’s another name for identical twins?
Monozygotic twins
What’s another name for fraternal twins?
Dizygotic twins
Explain the difference between identical and fraternal twins?
Identical twins come from a single egg whereas fraternal twins come from two separate eggs. Identical twins have identical genes
Define biological sex.
Sex determined by chromosome
- males: XY
- Females: XX
Define gender.
Socially constructed roles/characteristics that defines males and females
What is gender role?
Social expectations of what is to be a male or female
EX: clothing — what we’re supposed to wear based on sex
Interest — what we’re supposed to be into based on sex
What is gender identity?
A person’s definitions, sense, and decision of being male or female…or somewhere in the middle
Define gender fluidity.
Our gender identity can change over time
What is sandra Bem’s theory on gender called? Explain.
Gender typing theory — the process by which a child becomes aware of gender and begins to adopt masculine/feminine typical behaviors.
EX: males are the breadwinners and females clean the house
What is Albert Bandaranaike’s theory called? Explain.
Social learning theory. It’s when we develop gender by observing other’s gender-orientated behavior. We also observe which behaviors are rewarded or punished
EX: “Boys don’t cry”
How do we explain behavior?
Human motivation is to spread gene pool
Define behavior genetics.
Study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
What are the significant findings in adoptive studies?
Adoptees’ personality traits are more similar to their biological parents than their adoptive partners. They show us what is culturally (or environmentally) determined…attitudes, values, manners, faith, politics…
Explain prenatal environment.
It starts in the womb. If the mother takes drugs, has an illness and even excessive amounts of stress, then that can influence the developing emus
Explain how experience effects brain development. What study was involved?
With more experience, it helps develop brain’s neural connections. According to a study, if the environment is enriched, rats developed a heavier and thicker brain cortex. This seems to hold true for children as well. Infants who were handled more developed faster neurologically. If not stimulated, maturing brain operates on the “use it or lose it” principle
What is the “selection effect”?
It’s when kids choose friends similar to themselves…at least in the “important ways”. Correlates with peer influence
How does nature play a role in the influence of peers
We spend most of our time playing, working and mating with our peers, so nature predisposes us to be sensitive to their styles and opinions
How do our parents influence us vs. how our peers influence us?
Parents influences our education, discipline, responsibility, charitableness whereas peers influences our ideas on cooperation, popularity, interacting among others our age (sociability)
How does culture influence our behavior?
There are established norms based on our environment. These are rules for accepted and expected behavior.
Our pace of life is influenced through culture too.
EX: being late is looked down upon in US but in other countries, being late is often forgiven
Culture also dictates our levels of expressiveness which are ways we express emotions, thoughts and feelings
Individualism vs. collectivism
Individualism — western culture. Want kids to think for themselves, be independent, be true to yourself, set your own personal goals
Collectivism — Asians/African cultures. Communal cultures that emphasize family honor and dignity. Tend to be more shy with strangers
Define teratogens.
An agent or factor which causes malformation of an embryo
