Part 1: Nature Vs. Nurture

Question 1

What is Epigenetic

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

What are histones?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is Heritability?

Answer 3

How much a trait is due to genetics
EX: Height is 92% heritable
Applies to population, not to one person

Question 4

What’s another name for identical twins?

Answer 4

Monozygotic twins

Question 5

What’s another name for fraternal twins?

Answer 5

Dizygotic twins

Question 6

Explain the difference between identical and fraternal twins?

Answer 6

Identical twins come from a single egg whereas fraternal twins come from two separate eggs. Identical twins have identical genes

Question 7

Define biological sex.

Answer 7

Sex determined by chromosome

• males: XY
• Females: XX

Question 8

Define gender.

Answer 8

Socially constructed roles/characteristics that defines males and females

Question 9

What is gender role?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is gender identity?

Answer 10

A person’s definitions, sense, and decision of being male or female…or somewhere in the middle

Question 11

Define gender fluidity.

Answer 11

Our gender identity can change over time

Question 12

What is sandra Bem’s theory on gender called? Explain.

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is Albert Bandaranaike’s theory called? Explain.

Answer 13

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”

Question 14

How do we explain behavior?

Answer 14

Human motivation is to spread gene pool

Question 15

Define behavior genetics.

Answer 15

Study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior

Question 16

What are the significant findings in adoptive studies?

Answer 16

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…

Question 17

Explain prenatal environment.

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Explain how experience effects brain development. What study was involved?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What is the “selection effect”?

Answer 19

It’s when kids choose friends similar to themselves…at least in the “important ways”. Correlates with peer influence

Question 20

How does nature play a role in the influence of peers

Answer 20

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

Question 21

How do our parents influence us vs. how our peers influence us?

Answer 21

Parents influences our education, discipline, responsibility, charitableness whereas peers influences our ideas on cooperation, popularity, interacting among others our age (sociability)

Question 22

How does culture influence our behavior?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Individualism vs. collectivism

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Define teratogens.

Answer 24

An agent or factor which causes malformation of an embryo