1. Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, Human Diversity (Part 1)
Eliza Kronenberger, Kayla Russell, Abby Lagunov

2. A biological aspect of taste that humans prefer is the taste of sweets.

3. We start to fear strangers at around 8 months old.

4. 3 universal behaviors of humans:
-dancing/feasting
-singing/worshipping
-playing sports/games

5. Behavior Genetics/Environment
Study differences and weigh effects in the interplay of heredity and the environment.

6. Cell Nucleus
Every cell nucleus in the body contains a genetic master code for the entire body.

7. Definitions:
DNA: Complex molecule containing genetic information that makes up chromosomes.
Chromosome: Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules, contain genes.
Genome: Complex instructions for making an organism, consisting of all genetic material in an organism’s chromosomes.

8. “We shared half our genes with the banana.”
Proves that slight variation change in genetics causes vast differences.

9. Types of Twins
Identical Twins: Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg, splits in 2 creating 2 genetically identical organisms.
Fraternal Twins: Develop from separate fertilized eggs- genetically no closer than ordinary brothers/sisters, but share fetal environment.

10. Fraternal Twins
Fraternal twins are not any more similar than an ordinary brother/sister.

11. Alzheimer’s Disease
If a person has Alzheimer’s disease, an identical twin has a 60% chance of getting this disease. A fraternal twin has a 30% chance.

12. Matt McGue and David Lykken Study (1992)
Followed divorce rates of 1,500 same-sex, middle-aged twin pairs.
Results: Fraternal twin who is divorced- odds of divorce go up 1.6x (compared to not divorced twin)
Identical twin who is divorced- odds of divorce of other twin go up 5.5x

13. Importance of Genes
Genes do not matter in explaining individual differences.

14. Quote: Bouchard
“In some domains it looks as though our identical twins reared apart are… just as similar as identical twins reared together. Now that’s an amazing finding and I can assure you none of us would have expected that degree of similarity.”
Even if twins are separated, biologically (with genes) interests are similar.

15. Bouchard’s Critics Theory
Separated fraternal twins do not exhibit similarities comparable to those of separated identical twins.

16. Twin Studies
Twin study results give us a greater appreciation for genetic influences.

17. Genetic/Environmental Relatives
Genetic- Biological parents/siblings
Environmental- adoptive parents/siblings

18. Does environment impact personality?
Adoptees more similar to biological parents than to adoptive parents.

19. Quote:
“Mom may be holding a full house while Dad has a straight flush, yet when Junior gets a random half of each of their cards his poker hand may be a loser.”
Child is not guaranteed the best traits of each parent, but gets a random selection… No genetic legacy!

20. Adopted Children Most adopted children thrive because…
-Attatched to adoptive parents
Many score higher than biological parents on an intelligence test

21. Benefits of Adoption Children grow up happier
More self-giving than average

22. Temperament
A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity.

23. Temperament
Temperament persists over time.

24. Temperament
Biologically rooted temperament helps form our enduring personality: one form of a gene that regulates the neurotransmitter serotonin predisposes fearful temperament and inhibited child.

25. Heritability
Proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability traits may vary.

26. Environment Similarities
As environments become more similar, heredity (as a source of differences) become more important.

27. Self Regulating Genes
Genes react, rather than acting.

28. Eating Disorders
Human differences result from both genetic and environmental influences.
For example, eating disorders are genetically influenced- some people are at more of a risk than others.

29. Gene-Environment Interaction
Genes and experiences are both important, but they interact.
Interaction: Interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as the environment) depends on another factor (heredity).

30. “Heredity deals the cards; environment plays the hand.”
Biology starts off a person’s life- personality develops and changes them from the society around them.

31. Nature/Nurture
Think “Nature VIA Nurture” instead of “Nature Vs. Nurture”.

32. Molecular Genetics
Subfield of biology that studies molecular the molecular structures and functions of genes.

33. Molecular Behavior Genetics
Goal: to find some of the many genes that influence normal humane traits, such as baby weight, sexual orientation, extraversion, and also explore mechanisms that control gene expression.

34. “Missing Women”
Men/boys are favored in India and China... Girl children are often killed or given away. This is a problem now because there are too many boys in this area and a shortage of girls.

35. Evolutionary Psychologists
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.

36. Natural-Selections
The principle of the survival of the fittest

37. Belyeav & Trut: Fox Study
In this study, wild foxes were collected and the most tame of these were mated with one another. Over a few decades, these animals became completely domesticated.

38. Mutations
A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

39. Universal Actions
Example: A loved one of any culture in the world is greeted in the same way.

40. Predisposition to Tastes
Humans are predisposed to love sweet and fatty tastes.

41. Outcome?
This love of sweet/fatty foods has led to obesity in Western cultures.

42. Harms of Industrial Revolution
Our bodies are not wired for this type of world- with such mass productions.
It has also adjusted us to live by a clock schedule.

43. Darwin
All current scientists agree with Darwin’s ideas.

44. Two Questions of Evolutionary Psychologists?
What are the mental differences between men and women?
How do genes shape our current environment? (Nature VIA Nurture)

45. Gender difference in Sexuality
Men have a much stronger sex drive than women.

46. Pryor’s study on attitudes towards casual sex:
Discovered that about 58% of men favored casual sex, while only 34% of women did.

47. Fischstein’s study on sexual thoughts:
About 46% of men think about sex throughout the whole day.
This is about the same for both Canadians and Americans.

48. 3 Differences between gay men and lesbian women:
Gay men report more interest in un-committed sex compared to women
More responsive to sexual stimuli
More concerned with physical attractiveness

49. Clark and Hatfield’s Study:
Had university students wander around the campus and say that other random students were attractive.
¾ of men agreed: 50% to a cup of coffee, 75% to sex
No women agreed.

50. Approaches to sex: Men: Approach is more recreational
Women: Approach is more relational

51. 4 characteristics that men find attractive:
Healthy women
Fertile (young)
Smooth skin
Youthful shape

52. Women preferences of men:
13 year old boy 17/18 year old girl
25 year old boy Same age girl
50 year old boy Younger women

53. 2 Characteristics that women find attractive:
Being affluent/wealthy
Dominant

54. Long-Term Mates
Evolutionary psychologists believe that women prefer long term mates because of their investments in joint offspring.

55. Roney’s Study on Women and Baby Pictures:
In this experiment, women skillfully discerned which men most liked looking at baby pictures, and they rated those men higher as potential long-term mates.