Nature vs.

Nurture
How Genes and Environment
Influence Behavior
• What is the study of genetic and
environmental influences on
behavior?

• BEHAVIORAL GENETICS
• Every non-genetic influence in our
lives is referred to as…

• ENVIRONMENT
• What are the threadlike structures
made of DNA that contain genes?

• CHROMOSOMES
• What is the complex molecule that
contain the genetic information that
make up the chromosomes?

• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

• What are the complete instructions for
making an organism? (it consists of all
the genetic material in the organism’s
chromosomes)

• GENOME
• To what percent are all humans
similar to each other?

• 99%
• The 1% difference determines all of
our differences from each other
(height, hair color…)
• What are genetically identical people that
develop from a single fertilized egg?

• Identical twins
• Fraternal twins develop from separate
fertilized eggs and are genetically no
close than brothers and sisters
• Of the following, the best way to separate the effects of
genes and environment in research is to study
A. Fraternal twins
B. Identical twins
C. Adopted children & their adopted parents
D. Identical twins raised in different environments

D. Identical Twins raised in different environments

(remember Jim Lewis & Jim Springer?)
• What continent has the highest rate of
twins?

• Africa
• Twice as great as the west, 4xs as
great as Asia
• A person’s characteristic emotional
reactivity & intensity is called…

• Temperament
• What is the variation among people
that can be attributed to genes?

• heritability
• What are the distinctive characteristics
or behaviors that are determined by
genetics? (hint: they are passed by
your parents)

• traits
• A trait more likely to be expressed in
offspring is called a…

• Dominant trait
• Recessive traits are less likely to be
expressed
• All of the possible combinations of
genes is called…

• genotype
• The observable result that is shown
physically in a person is called…

• phenotype
• What genetic abnormality occurs
when there is a break in the 21st
chromosomal pair and generally
causes mental retardation?

• Down’s syndrome
• What genetic disorder results in
muscle impairment and deterioration
of the basal ganglia?

• Huntington’s chorea
• What is the subfield of biology that
studies the structure and function of genes
and seeks to discover ways to control
gene expression?

• Molecular genetics
• Think about positives and negatives of
molecular genetics
• What perspective of psychology focuses on the
following:
• Organism’s varied offspring compete for survival
• Certain biological variations increase chance to reproduce
& survive
• Offspring that survive are more likely to pass on their
genes
• Over time, population characteristics may change

• Evolutionary Psychology
• What is a random error in gene
replication that leads to change?

• Mutation
• The idea that traits which contribute to
reproduction and survival are most
likely to be passed down is the main
principle of evolutionary psychology?

• Natural selection
• Explain who each of the following describes (men or
women):
1. Think about sex more
2. Look for mates that will provide support and
protection
3. Are more interest in relational sex
4. Seek more partners to spread their genetic material
5. Are attracted to youth

• 1-men, 2-women, 3-women, 4-men, 5-men

• Parents are most likely to pass on which of
the following to their child:
a. personality
b. temperament
c. religion
d. iq

• C-religion, values, political affiliation…

• When a group of people shared the
same behaviors, attitudes, ideas,
values, & traditions that are passed
down through generations it is
called…

• Culture
• Understood rules for accepted
behavior in society is called…

• norms
• What is the buffer zone that we like
around our bodies?

• Personal space
• Varies from culture to culture
• In what type of society is one’s own
goals given priority over the group?

• Individualist
• In what type of society does the group
receive priority over the individual?

• Collectivist
• Identify which gender is described by the following:

1. More aggressive (murder ratio is 9 to 1)

2. More supportive of the Iraq war (51% to 34%)
3. Represent 84% of gov’t Parliament positions around
the world
4. Are more welcoming of others ideas
5. Are more likely to share support rather than voice
opinions during interactions

• 1-men, 2-men, 3-men, 4-women, 5-women

• Identify which gender is described by each of the
following:

1. As children they are more likely to play in larger

groups
2. As children they are more likely to play with one
friend or small group
3. Buy 85% of greeting cards
4. Talk on the phone longer
5. Seek out help from friends more

• 1-boys, 2-girls, 3-women, 4-women, 5-women

• What are the principle male and
female sex hormones?

• Testosterone-male, estrogen-female
• What is the term that refers to the
expected ways men and women
should behave?

• Gender roles
• Our sense of being male or female is
called…

• Gender identity
• What theory states that children learn
gender linked behaviors by observing
& imitating or by being rewarded &
punished (parents, peers…)?

• Social Learning Theory

• What theory states that children learn
from their cultures what means it
means to be male & female and adjust
their behaviors to fit that expectation?

• Gender schema theory

• Identify which gender is described by the following:

1. Are reported to have thicker frontal lobes (verbal

fluency)
2. Are reported to have thicker parietal lobes (space
perception)
3. Were 80% of those killed in the 2004 tsunami
because they were working at home
4. Typically work more hours with child care &
household duties

• 1-women, 2-men, 3-women, 4-women

• Children usually choose friends that
are interested in the same thing. What
is this called?

• Selection effect