1. NATURE AND NURTURE IN PSYCHOLOGY Module 3 Notes

2. What is the “Debate”? -Over what influences our development and behavior more. *Is it our NATURE? (BIOLOGY/GENETICS) *Is it our NURTURE? (ENVIRONMENT) *To what degree is it BOTH?

3. Behavior Genetics -The study of the relative effects of genes and environmental influences on our behavior *Behavior Geneticists STUDY the nature vs. nurture debate *This combines Biological perspective, Cognitive Perspective, and Social-Cultural Perspective

4. Genes -The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes *This is the basis of the NATURE side of the debate

5. Environment - Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us  Include:  The culture someone is raised in  One’s family  Socioeconomic group  What are some other factors we can think of?

6. Chromosomes -Threadlike structures made up of DNA that contain the genes  46 chromosomes in each cell  23 received from each parent Which gender do you think this picture is of? Based on the chromosomes.

7. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) -A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

8. Mutation -Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the individual’s genetic code *Leads to all genetic diversity (why we are all different) *Can be desirable (ex- better immune systems over time) or undesirable changes (ex-cancer)

9. Predisposition -The possibility of something happening through the genetic code  Genetics creates the potential for something  The environment may or may not trigger the predisposition

10. Twin Studies -Twin studies are great for behavior geneticists because they allow researchers to study genetically identical people, as well as those who may share the very similar environments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd5Y3-F79LY

11. Identical Twins -Twins who developed from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms  Called monozygotic twins

12. Fraternal Twins -Twins who developed from separate eggs; they are genetically no more similar than other siblings, but they share a fetal environment  Called dizygotic twins

14. Twin Studies Identical Twins Reared Together v.Identical Twins Reared ApartSame genes, Same environment Different environment Greater difference between these two groups indicates greater role of the environment (“nurture”).

15. 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  Important to behavior geneticists like twin studies

16. Ok…let’s pause.  Talk to your neighbor about these questions. Be prepared to share with the class.  Which type of research do you find more interesting? Twin studies or adoption studies?  Which type of study do you think is more helpful to psychology? Why do you think it is more helpful?

17. Heritability -The degree to which traits are inherited  The proportion of an individual’s characteristics that can be attributed to genetics (heredity)  LET’S DISCUSS…What are some inherited traits you have from one or both of your parents?

18. Peer Influences -Peer influence in adolescence is very powerful.  Many studies suggest a peer group is correlated with school performance, smoking, and other behaviors.

19. Culture -The shared attitudes, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group communicated from one generation to the next

20. Norms -Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior  Consist of the “proper behavior” within a group

21. Individualism -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

22. Collectivism -Giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often the extended family or work group) and defining one’s personal identity accordingly  See people as connected to others  Individual needs are sacrificed for the good of the group.