Chapter 3 Nature, Nurture, and Human Development

Behavior Genetics Behavior Geneticists - Weigh the effects of our environment and heredity The basics Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 from mom/23 from dad) Chromosomes contain DNA Genes are small parts of the DNA Genomes – complete instructions for making an individual (all the genetic material) If specific genes can be identified with disorders, gives a biological understanding

Genetics http://www.cbsnews.com/news/many-more-genes-linked-to-autism/

Twin & Adoption Studies Identical twins don’t just look the same Come from one egg and are “genetically” identical Fraternal twins Come from two eggs Genetically no more similar than ordinary siblings Adoptive Children Resemble biological parent personality (thinking, feeling, acting) Resemble adoptive parent values, attitudes, manners, faith, politics

Temperament Studies Temperament Apparent soon after birth Emotional excitability Apparent soon after birth Tends not to change even into adulthood More heredity here than environment

Heritability Heritability Groups How much the difference between people can be attributed to genes Groups Individual gene differences don’t necessarily explain differences in groups

Parents and peers Prenatal (before birth) conditions can affect the child Experience modifies the brain Unused synapses degenerate (impoverished vs enriched environment) Lacking visual experience early, prevents normal usage later even with surgery Parents… Influence manners, political & religious beliefs Not so much influence on personality Peers… Attempt to fit in (conformity) Influence cooperation and interaction

Cultural Influences Culture Cultural differences Behaviors, ideas, values, traditions shared in a group Cultural differences Personal space Expressing feelings PDA Pace of life Educating & rearing children Genes lead to culture change? Nope – culture changes faster than genes

Cultural Influence Individualism (Independence) vs Collectivism (Interdependence) US, Canada, Western Europe value the individual & personal achievement Many part of Asia and Africa value interdependence and tradition Cultures may be different but genetic profiles are the same

Gender Development Let’s read a book…

Info about the book… When do you think this was published? Published in 1970 Intended as a satire

Gender Development Differences 45 Chromosomes are unisex Biologically body fat muscle, height, age of puberty life expectancy Psychologically More women diagnosed w/depression More men diagnosed antisocial personality disorder

Gender Development Aggression Social Power Social Connectedness In many cultures & ages, men tend to be more aggressive Social Power Most societies are male dominant Social Connectedness Women tend and befriend Men emphasize freedom and self-reliance Nature of Gender Biological sex determined by 23 pair of chromosomes Mom=X Dad= X or Y XX=Female XY=Male

Gender Development Nurture of Gender Gender Roles Gender Identity Expectation of how men & women should behave Gender Identity One’s sense of being male or female Social Learning Theory Assumes gender behavior is learned (observed & imitated) though reward and punishment like Gender Schema Theory Proposes we learn a cultural “recipe” of how to be male/female and adjust behavior accordingly

Got time? “Like a girl” video Videos\P_G Do Things Like A Girl.mp4