Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY For AP Unit 3C The Nature and Nurture Of Behavior

3 BIG Questions How does genetic inheritance (our nature) and experience (nurture) influence our development? Continuity versus stages of development? Stability versus Change…do our personalities change as we age?

Genes: Our Biological Blueprint Chromosomes threadlike structures made of DNA that contain the genes DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes has two strands-forming a “double helix”--held together by bonds between pairs of nucleotides

Test Your Knowledge If chromosomes are books of heredity – the words are _______________ and the letters are ___________________. Sperm is to cell as DNA is to _____________.

Genes: Our Biological Blueprint biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein Genome the complete instructions for making an organism consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes Molecular geneticists are most interested in studying nucleotide sequences…human genetic diversity consists of differences in our nuclotides.

Genes: Their Location and Composition Nucleus Chromosome Gene Cell DNA

Evolutionary Psychology Natural Selection the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations Mutations random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the sequence of nucleotides the source of all genetic diversity

Evolutionary Psychology the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using the principles of natural selection Gender in psychology, the characteristics, whether biologically or socially influenced, by which people define male and female

Evolutionary Psychology Con’t EP is not about how one species evolves into another species over time BUT is about how genetics and environment interact leading to in genetics to fit the environment. Traits leading to survival are likely to be assed along. Predisposed to love our children, fear animals, select healthy mates etc.

Criticisms of EP Evolution does not imply genetic determinism. Behavior can be changed. Does not assume that organisms can compute complex math problems/formulas. Current adaptive mechanisms in humans are not optimally designed.

Evolutionary Psychology Men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health Women preferred resources and social status

Behavior Genetics Behavior Genetics Environment study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior Environment every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Behavior Genetics Identical Twins (Monozygotic) Fraternal Same sex only Same or opposite sex Identical Twins (Monozygotic) develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms Fraternal Twins (Dizygotic) develop from separate eggs genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share the fetal environment

Twins Fraternal twins are on the rise… Fertility drugs like Clomid Women are waiting longer to have children Identical twins share the 100% the same genes but can have different phenotypes… Phenotype is how a gene expresses itself. ie…mirror twins – differences in heritability Personality & Interests. Sweden has the largest twin registry.

Behavior Genetics Temperament Heritability a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity Heritability the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Heritability Continued “Herit” part of inherit – possess something that someone has given to you. Ability – suffix meaning “capable” – genetically passed on – it is capable of showing up in children of those who possess that quality ie. parent to child

Behavior Genetics Interaction the dependence of the effect of one factor (such as environment) on another factor (such as heredity) Example – people who are judged s attractive physically are more likely to get a job or promotion over someone who is less attractive. Molecular Genetics the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

Environmental Influence Two placental arrangements in identical twins

Environmental Influence Experience affects brain development Impoverished environment Rat brain cell Enriched

Environmental Influence A trained brain

Environmental Influence Culture the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next Peer influence – slang, food and fashion preferences Parental influence - are most influential when it comes to values, political beliefs and manners. Norm an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior

Environmental Influence Personal Space the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies Memes self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person

The Nature and Nurture of Gender X Chromosome the sex chromosome found in both men and women females have two; males have one an X chromosome from each parent produces a female child Y Chromosome the sex chromosome found only in men when paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child

Sex Linked Traits Sex linked traits are passed to child fro mother through X chromosome. Usually recessive so when father passes along another X (female), his chromosome dominates the recessive gene. Most sex linked traits are exhibited in males because there’s only one X ie. colourblindeness

The Nature and Nurture of Gender Testosterone the most important of the male sex hormones both males and females have it additional testosterone in males stimulates growth of male sex organs in the fetus development of male sex characteristics during puberty Role a set of expectations (norms) about a social position defining how those in the position ought to behave

The Nature and Nurture of Gender Gender Role a set of expected behaviors for males and females Gender Identity one’s sense of being male or female Gender-typing the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

The Nature and Nurture of Gender Gender and Culture

The Nature and Nurture of Gender

The Nature and Nurture of Gender Social Learning Theory theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished Gender Schema Theory theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly

The Nature and Nurture of Gender Two theories of gender typing