Week 2 Flashcards
behaviour genetics
field in the study of human development that aims to identify the extent to which genes influence behaviour, primarily by comparing persons who share different amounts of their genes
heritability
estimate of the extent to which genes are responsible for the differences among persons within a specific population, with values ranging from 0 to 1.00
Higher the heritability, the more the characteristic is believed to be influenced by genetics
Heritability estimates are simply estimates based on comparisons of persons with different amounts of genetic material in common, not direct measures of the activity of genes
They are a measure also of how much the environment allows genes to be expressed (phenotype)
Concordance rate
% that indicates the degree of similarity in phenotype among pairs of family members
Higher the concordance rate, the more similar the two persons are
When concordance rates are higher among MZ than DZ twins, this indicates that the basis for the trait is partly genetic
Epigenesis
development results from the bidirectional interactions between genotype and environment
reaction range
range of possible developmental paths established by genes, environment determines where development takes place within that range
Genes establish a reaction range of potential expression and environment determines where a person’s phenotype will fall within that range
passive genotype -> environment effects
In biological families, parents provide both genes and environment for their children
In biological families, parents provide environmental and genetic influences, and they are likely to provide an environment that reinforces the tendencies they have provided to their children through their genes
evocative genotype -> environment effects
A person’s inherited characteristics evoke responses from others in their environment
Respond differently based on their characteristics
active genotype -> environment effects
When people seek out environments that correspond to their genotypic characteristics, niche picking
People are drawn to environments that match
genotype -> environment effects over time
The three types operate throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood, but their relative balance changes over time
In childhood, passive genotype -> environment effects are especially pronounced, and active genotype -> environment effects are relatively weak
Because the younger a child is, the more parents control the daily environment the child experiences and the less autonomy the child has to seek out environmental influences outside the family
When autonomy increases, active genotype -> environment effects also increase
In adulthood, passive genotype -> environment effects fade entirely and active genotype -> environment effects move to the forefront
Evocative genotype -> environment effect remain stable throughout
first trimester
1-12 weeks
germinal
embryonic
fetal
germinal
1-2 weeks
blastocyst forms, implants in uterus and begins forming amnion, placenta and umbilical cord
embryonic 3-4 weeks
ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
neural tube develops and produces neurons
heart begins beating
ribs, muscle and digestive tract form
embryonic 5-8 weeks
arms and legs develop and fingers and toes placenta and umbilical cord function digestive system develops liver produces blood cells embryo responds to touch
fetal
9-12 weeks
genitals form and release sex hormones
nails and taste buds develop
heartbeat audible w stethoscope
second trimester
13-24 weeks movement breathes amniotic fluid repsonds to sound vermix and lanugo develop on skin
third trimester
25-38 weeks lungs fully develop birth weight 2/3 gained brain development sleep wake cycle resembles newborn
FASD
facial deformities, heart problems, misshapen limbs and cognitive problem, more alcohol drank more severe; most common in developed countries; raises rate of delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse and mental health problems
tobacco
higher risk for miscarriage, premature birth, leading cause of low birth weight in developed countries
Impaired heart function, difficulty breathing and death
Poorer language skills, attention, memory and behaviour problems
Second hand smoke from fathers: higher risk of low birth weight and childhood cancer
Rate of smoking rising in developing and developed countries
down syndrome
Trisomy 21
Short stocky build, flat face, large tongue, extra fold of skin on eyelid
Cognitive deficits- intellectual disability and speech problems
Some physical development problems like hearing impairments and heart defects
Supportive and encouraging parents mean a child will be more social
Intervention programs in infancy and preschool
Age faster than others- total brain volume decreases after 20
Physical illness for people in late adulthood affect those with DS in their 30s and 40s
Life expectancy lower- 50s to 60s
ultrasound
high frequency sound waves directed towards uterus; 3D/4D images of fetus size, shape and activities; used to screen for DS at age 13 weeks; cheap, easy, safe
amniocentesis
long hollow needle instead into mums abdomen using ultrasound image for guidance, sample of amniotic fluid is taken from placenta surrounding the fetus; fluid contains fetal cells sloughed off during prenatal development with baby’s genotype; 15-20 weeks; only for high risk; small risk of triggering miscarriage; detects 40 defects
CVS
sampling and analysing cells early in development; 5-10 weeks; from cells beginning to form umbilical cord; tube inserted vaginally into uterus; slight risk of miscarriage or damage to fetus; only high risk; 99% accurate in diagnosing genetic problems
genetic counselling
high risk family history; analysing family history and genotypes of prospective parents to identify possible risks; enables people to make an informed decision; counsellor takes family history, partners provide blood, skin or urine samples, couple decide whether or not to attempt pregnancy
AGPAR scale
appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration
rated on the subsets first about a minute after birth and then again 5 minutes after
7 to 10 means good to excelled
4 to 6 means anoxia is likely and neonate needs assistance to begin breathing
3 or below means life threatening danger and immediate medical assistance needed
also predicts the neonate’s risk of death in the first month of life
NBAS
27 items such as reflexes, physical state, response to social stimulation and CNS instability
Based on these, overall rating given of ‘worrisome’, ‘normal’ or ‘superior’
Day after birth but also can be given any time in the first 2 months
Most effectively predicts future development if given a day after birth and then a week later
Those rated normal or superior at both or show a ‘recovery curve’ from worrisome to normal or superior are likely to develop well
Neonates who are worrisome at both or go down to worrisome from normal or superior are at risk for early developmental problems
Promotes the development of relationship with parents
Asian neonates tend to be calmer and less irritable
very low birth weight
weigh less than 3.3 pounds (1500g) at birth
extremely low birth weight
weigh less than 2.2 pounds (1000g) at birth
kangaroo care
recommended care for preterm and low birth weight neonates, in which mothers or fathers are advised to place the baby skin-to-skin on their chests for 2-3 hours a day for the early weeks of life
