Week 3: GENETICS AND EVOLUTION Flashcards
Nature? vs nurture?
Nature: genetics, born with
Nurture: environment, how you grew up
Twin studies: TYPES OF TWINS
Monozygotic: (Identical 100%) came from one zygote
Dizygotic: (fraternal 50%) came from 2 different zygotes and 2 different perms injected
Behavioral genetics: (DEF)
observation study of how genes and environments combine to generate behavior
Adoption study:
behavior genetic research method that involves comparison of adopted children to their adoptive biological parents
Quantitative genetics:
scientific and mathematical methods of inferring genetic and environmental similarities amongst organisms
Epigenetics: (DEF)
DNA itself is modified by environmental events and those genetic changes are then transmitted to children
Behaviorism: (DEF)
Past belief (e.g. Freud, Skinner) that behaviour was based on environmental factors
Evolution:
change overtime (certain traits and behaviors developing over time because they are advantageous to our survival)
Heritability coefficient:
(measures how different people are in nature&nurture)
If value close to 0- most likely NOT due to genetics
The higher the number- due to genetics
Natural selection: (DEF)
genetic mutations that are beneficial to an individual’s survival are passed on through reproduction
Adaptations: (DEF)
evolved solutions to problems that historically contributed to reproductive success
Sexual selection: (DEF)
evolution of characteristics because of mating advantage they give to organisms
Intra sexual: (DEF)
(WITHIN)members of same sex compete for a mate
Intersexual: (DEF)
(BETWEEN) one sex chooses which members of the opposite sex to mate with
Gene selection theory: (DEF)
Genes are the basic “units of heredity,” or the information that is passed along in DNA that tells the cells and molecules how to “build” the organism and how that organism should behave.
2 ways of boosting replicative success:
- Influence one’s own odds of survival and reproduction
EX. sloths screaming to attract male ∴ the gene that allows them to scream will be passed on - Help other organisms who also contain these genes ( genetic relatives)
EX. parents encourage children to go to university because higher education isn seen as an attractive trait; parents pass this education to their OWN kids, not other kids
Psychological adaptations: (DEF)
mechanisms of the mind (ways the mind works) that evolved to solve specific problems of survival/reproduction
Physiological adaptations: (DEF)
occur in body as consequence of environment
Sexual strategies theory
impacted by ecological stuff like sex ration, cultural practices
Interactionist framework: (DEF)
Theory that takes into account multiple factors when determining an outcome.
Heavily affected by status and culture
Humans have a list of different short-term and long-term mating strategies…
In short-term mating:
▪ women likely more selective than men because of more consequences (EX. pregnancy, high social expect.)
▪ men are more inclined to engage in casual sexual activities (lower standards b/c lower risk)
In long-term mating:
▪ both sexes are extremely and equally selective
Error Management Theory: DEF
evolution of decision making and evaluating uncertain decisions
