Amber Martin

Chromosomes are coils of DNA that contain genes. Building blocks Human traits are based on many genes acting together. Behavior genetics is the way to explain how genetics and environment influence traits.

Nature vs. Nurture Separated twins who are raised in different environments still show many similarities Thomas Bouchard conducted the Minneapolis twin study Biological and Adoptive Relatives Adoptive siblings and biological siblings do not show much similarity when raised together Adoptive children tend to act more like their adoptive parents in early childhood, but when they continue to grow they reflect traits that resemble their biological parents

Difference among people are attributable to genes Heritability depends on environment and genes Genetic influences explain individual traits like aggressiveness, but can not explain group differences Genes and environment interact

Molecular genetics is the study of molecular structure and function of genes Psychologists and molecular geneticists work together to identify specific genes that put people at risk for disease

Behaviors that contribute to survival are found throughout cultures Genetic traits which helped our ancestors survive may harm us today Gender differences in sexuality Natural selection Males are more attracted to women that appear fertile Woman nursing their babies Critics Backward theorizing Gives little emphasis of social influences

Thomas Bouchard: Led the Minneapolis Twin Study, which studied the similarities between twins who were adopted and separated at birth. David Buss: Psychologist who found evidence that women place a higher value on potential partners' status, ambition and financial prospects; men placed a higher value on potential mates' physical attractiveness Francis Collins : Human Genome Project founder Charles Darwin: Introduced the idea of Natural Selection, and suggested that species evolved from one another Robert Plomin: Discovered that heredity and experience influence most aspects of behavior

Behavior Genetics: study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior Chromosomes: threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes DNA: complex molecule containing the genetic information Genes: The biochemical units of heredity Genome: instructions for making an organism Identical twins: develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two Fraternal twins: develop from separate fertilized eggs Heritability: how people differ from one another because of their genes Molecular Genetics: The study of the molecular structure and function of genes Evolutionary psychology: the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection Mutation: An error in gene replication that leads to a change

Genes, DNA, Chromosome = Genie drinks coffee HAIRitability= heritability determines hair color 1-identical twins have the same thumb print Natural Selection= Needs & Survival (NS) Darwin evolved from monkeys Charles Darwin believed in the idea of evolution and natural selection

1.An important potential use of DNA knowledge is that molecular geneticists will be able to a. predict possible risks so preventive steps can be taken. b. determine which individual gene causes learning disabilities. c. see how genes influence behavior. d. figure out the heritability for any given individual. e. specify the relationship between genes and chromosomes.

2. Behavior geneticists attempting to isolate the relative effects of genes and environment would be most interested in studying a. fraternal twins raised apart. b. same aged nontwin siblings raised apart. c. same aged nontwin siblings raised together. d. identical twins raised apart. e. identical twins raised together.

3. Cross-culturally, with very limited exceptions, men prefer women with a. large families. b. children from prior marriages. c. waist size equal to hip size. d. reproductive potential. e. greater intellect than themselves.

4. We humans should not feel programmed by genes or the environment because we have the ability to a. alter ourselves genetically to become what we want. b. design the environments that shape our behavior. c. eliminate genetic effects by radically changing our diets. d. isolate the effects of genes and environment, thereby eliminating their effects. e. specify how our genes will affect our children.

5. Our shared genetic heritage predisposes us to have a. similar prenatal care. b. affectionate interactions with an extended family. c. no variation at particular gene sites. d. the ability to predict complex behaviors by examining one gene. e. common behavioral tendencies.

6. Evolutionary psychologists respond to the criticism that they are advocating genetic determinism by arguing that a. the results of genetic determinism are overwhelmingly positive. b. there is an evolutionary advantage to the capacity to adapt and learn. c. the effects of mutations are typically beneficial. d. gene therapy can reduce genetic determinism. e. most of our genes are recessive in nature, so they are not a concern.

7. Women may avoid eating bitter or novel foods in the first three months of pregnancy to a. increase the embryo's chances of survival as many poisons are bitter. b. gain weight, which helps later in childbirth. c. avoid foods that aren't nutritious. d. have children with higher-than-average levels of intelligence. e. enhance the development of neurons.

8. Cross-culturally, with very limited exceptions, women prefer men who are a. younger than they are. b. usually nonassertive in their daily lives. c. the most romantic and affectionate. d. potential long-term mates. e. less intelligent than they are.

9. Genetically influenced traits such as shyness a. are not susceptible to environmental influence. b. have a heritability of one for any given individual. c. evoke similar responses from those in the environment. d. can only be minimally affected by nutrition. e. influence an adopted child more than an adopted adolescent.

10. The interplay of environment and heredity is called a. hereditability b. mutation c. interaction d. molecular genetics e. Behavior genetics