Nature and Nurture What makes us who we are?

Chromosomes- threadlike structures made up of DNA that contain genes Chromosomes- threadlike structures made up of DNA that contain genes. Chromosome pair 23 define our gender.

Genes- segments of DNA capable of making a protein, therefore a trait.

DNA- (deoxyribonucleic acid) all of the genetic information for a human being.

What are traits? Dominant and recessive Eye color Height Hair color Skin tone Facial features Snaggle toe

Evolutionary Psychology- study of behavior using principles of natural selection. The traits that have helped us to survive will be passed onto our children. What kinds of traits have been passed on for survival? Reflexes, fears, adaptiveness

Why study Twins? We can focus solely on their environment. If their genes are the same then it must be their environment that affects them. Sometimes same environment Sometimes separate environment Group time- 3 groups. Read about studies. What have twin studies found?

How do genes and our environment interact? Nature via nurture Nature seems to have a big influence on personality Environment has a big influence on beliefs, values, manners, faith, and politics Our personality affects how people treat us…

Find a partner! Find out what you have in common. You’ll find that, when looking, you can find many similarities.

Similarities Quiz Cars Politics Sleeping habits Computer Brand Books Toothpaste Gum Cell Phone What bugs you Clothes Habits Religion Vacation Jobs Held Handedness Sports Dating status Hobbies Major illnesses Pets Foods you dislike Family members Foods you like School subjects Colors

How is Gender inherited? Mother can only give X chromosome. Father can give an X or a Y (male chromosome). Prenatal environment can affect the outcome, as we saw in our video: Sex Unknown Is “Gender” defined by what body parts you have?

Social Influences-  individuals change their attitudes or behavior in order to adhere to existing social norms. Are young girls raised to emulate certain characteristics? Good thing boys aren’t raised this way….right?

Gender Typing- The process by which children acquire the values, motives, and behaviors viewed as appropriate for males and females within a culture.

Gender Schema Theory- societies beliefs about the traits of males and females Causes gender schema Which influences: Processing of social information. Self Esteem (our behavior must fit into gender schema)

Gender roles- a set of expected behaviors for males and females. Do we see gender roles play out in our own homes? Did our parents have a discussion about their duties? What affects gender roles? The times Gender-identity- our sense of being either male or female Gender-typing- acquisition of traditional masculine or feminine roles. Gender schema theory- theory that children learn from their culture what it means to be male or female and act accordingly. The difference between men and women’s brains.

Gender Identity- one’s personal experience in one’s own gender Gender Identity- one’s personal experience in one’s own gender. Your private sense of feeling as though you fit the category of a man or a woman.

What do you think? Write it down. Do you believe that gender is more influenced by biology or by social factors? Can they work together to create psychological traits? Give an example from your life.

So what makes us, us? Biological Influences: Psychological Influences: Shared human genome Individual genetic variations Prenatal environment Sex-related genes, hormones, and physiology Psychological Influences: Gene-environment interaction Neurological effect of early experiences Responses evoked by our own personality, gender, etc. Beliefs, feelings, and expectations Individual development Social-cultural influences: Parental influences Peer influences Cultural attitudes and norms