Nature and Nurture in Psychology Module 3, Chapter 1

Important questions to ask What makes you, you? How do our families, our friends, and our culture in which we live affect us? This is what behavior genetics focuses on. Socio-cultural perspective anyone? If you were cloned at birth, would your clone be exactly like you?

Behavior Genetics Studies effects of genes and environment on behavior. Genes – biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes Set up our physical beings and influence behavior. Environment – every non-genetic influence Culture you are raised in, socio-economic status, family.

Nature and Nurture Nature—genetic code passed from parent to child. Biology Nurture—all environmental influences from prenatal development on. Environment Which parts of human behavior can we attribute to nature and which can be attributed to nurture?

Genetics in Brief We all have our own genetic code. Biological blueprint found in every cell nucleus that contains master code for your entire body. Chromosomes – threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. 46 in each cell, 23 from each parent. DNA – complex molecule containing the genetic info that makes up the chromosomes.

Chromosomes Location & Composition Genes

Genome Nucleotides The four letter code to distinguish genes Letters A,T,C, or G are used The complete genetic instructions for a given organism All the genetic material in an organism’s chromosome pattern

Mutation Genetic Predisposition Random errors in the replication of genes from parent to child – result in change of an genetic code Can be desirable or undesirable changes Superior eyesight, or predisposed to cancer. The possibility of something happening through the genetic code The environment may or may not trigger the predisposition Genetic traits and diseases, sun burn easily, etc.

Nature and Similarity Similarities Evolutionary Psychology 99% of all humans genetic make up is the same! Evolutionary Psychology Focuses on how evolution has shaped the mind and behavior https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJdc9zG YVjU Natural Selection Darwin’s principle that those traits contributing to the survival of the species will most likely be passed on to the next generation Discover thru trail and error what foods are okay to eat.

Nature and Individual Differences: Twin Studies Anyone know any twins? How are they alike and how are they different? Nature and Individual Differences: Twin Studies

Identical Twins Fraternal Twins Nature’s human clones. Twins who developed from a single fertilized egg Called monozygotic twins Twins who developed from separate eggs Called dizygotic twins

Heritability What has been inherited from your family and genetic code? The proportion of an individual’s characteristics that can be attributed to genetics (heredity) The degree to which traits are inherited.

Twin Studies Used to determine the heritability of a given trait Data is collected from both identical and fraternal twins on the trait Compare the data between the two groups Specific behavior NOT inherited…just genetic predisopostion to that behavior

Adoption Studies Compare adopted children’s traits with those of their biological parents and their adopted parents Trait similarities with biological parents: attribute the trait to heredity Trait similarities with the adopted parents: attribute the trait to the environment

Environment Matters: Early Learning and Brain Development Did you know that genetic traits account for about half of our personality traits? And growing up in the same house only accounts for 10% of our personalities?

Early Brain Development Use it or lose it! Experience nurtures nature (????) Ex: I don’t remember science learned in the 5th grade, so “no, in some cases I am not smarter than a 5th grader”. Ex: If you played piano in elementary school but you haven’t played since, you might have to re-learn. Early experience is critical in brain development (in order for us to reach our full potential). In later life continued use is necessary to maintain neural connections in the brain.

What are Feral Children? How did their environment impact them? How about their nature?

Environment Matters: Peer Influence Cultural Influence Peer influence in adolescence is very powerful. Many studies suggest a peer group is correlated with school performance, smoking, and other behaviors. Ex: If your group of friends doesn’t do drugs… you probably won’t either. Shared attitudes, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group Culture is communicated from one generation to the next Influences our: Food selection, religious choices, family activities, etc. Tend to think your culture is the best.

Norms: What is Normal? Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior Consist of the “proper behavior” within a group So what the heck does normal mean, anyway?

Collectivism Individualism Giving priority to the goals of one’s group over one’s personal goals Defining one’s identity in terms of the group’s identification rather than personal attributes See people as connected to others Individual needs are sacrificed for the good of the group. Giving priority to one’s goals over the goals of the group Defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than the group’s identification Tend to see people as separate and independent