Module 5: Behavior Genetics and Evolutionary Psychology (cont.)

The Nature-Nurture Question How much of our differences and similarities are due to our genes? How much of our differences and similarities are due to our environment? Behavior Genetics: Individual differences Evolutionary Psychology: The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using the principles of evolutionary theory and natural selection.

How does natural selection work? TRAIT A TRAIT B TRAIT C Does not lead to high reproduction Leads to high / successful reproduction Does not lead to high reproduction Frequency of TRAIT B increases in the next generation

Which one are you willing to touch? OR

Evolution results in variations in genes Natural Selection Species with features suited to demands of environment will survive better than those with less well-adapted features. Those well-adapted species will reproduce more successfully. Mutations Random or unexplained errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the sequence of nucleotides If adaptive, mutations will prevail Natural Selection the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increase reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations Mutations random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the sequence of nucleotides the source of all genetic diversity Animals with features suited to demands of environment will survive better than those with less well-adapted features. Those well-adapted animals will reproduce more successfully.

Do behaviors, emotions and cognition contribute to reproduction? Ability to survive Ability to mate Ability to produce offspring Ability to ensure the survival of offspring

What are the traits that lead to high levels of reproduction? Ability to survive Adaptability, successful interaction with the environment, successful navigation of social interactions Ability to mate Selecting a partner Ability to produce offspring Selecting a mate who can produce an offspring Ability to ensure the survival of the offspring Feeding, nurturing, and protecting the offspring MALE STRATEGY FEMALE STRATEGY

Natural selection There is a difference in the strategies of the two sexes to send their genes into the future Males compete with other males for access to females, and try to inseminate as many females as possible. Females conceive and carry only a limited number of pregnancies so they choose fewer dominant males with good resources and high status. 8

Evolutionary Psychology’s explanation of mating preferences Men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health and fertility Women preferred resources and social status Evolutionary Psychology’s explanation of mating: “We behave in ways that maximizes our chances of passing on our genes, and to help our close biological relatives, with whom we share genes, to do the same.” “Romantic love is an adaptation that fostered the reporoductive success of our ancestors: bonding two people who would likely become parents of an infant who would need their reliable care.” 9

Critique of Evolutionary Psychology Hindsight approach: Explaining sex differences after observing what those differences are. Are observed differences justified or morally right? Does evolutionary psychology lead us to justify male promiscuity? Does evolutionary psychology justify gender inequality? 10

Module 6: Environmental Influences on Behavior

Nurture: Environmental Influences Prenatal Parental Peers & others Schooling Cultural

Environmental influence starts at conception Two placental arrangements in identical twins

Environmental Influence Experience affects brain development Impoverished environment Rat brain cell Enriched 60 days of exposure to enriched vs impoverished environment

Early childhood education Exposure to experiences may be most effective when brain plasticity is high In order to attain special skills In order to attain full potential Intense educational experiences influence the physiology of the brain throughout life

Turkish Early Enrichment Project A project that lasted 4 years in low income areas in Istanbul in mid 1980s Experimental design Mothers were given training to help teach their children Children had 3 types of environments Home Preschools that were enriching Preschools that only provided supervision

TEEP Experiment MOTHER TRAINING INTERVENTION GROUP CONTROL GROUP Children Higher IQ scores Higher math and general ability Less aggressive MOTHER TRAINING Mothers More attentive, encouraging, praising Higher educational expectations Verbalized more INTERVENTION GROUP CONTROL GROUP Home Enriching Preschool Care Oriented Preschool Care Oriented Preschool Home Enriching Preschool

Environmental influences are important Childrearing has a strong influence on children Parents are most often the primary influence Parents are not the sole influence All significant adults are active agents in shaping their emotions, behavior, and probably cognition Peers have a strong influence Children and adults are under group influences What we eat How we speak Culture has a strong influence Children’s eating habits Teen deviant behaviors

What is “culture”? Culture is the set of behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, relationship styles and traditions shared by a group and transmitted to future generations

Cultural Influences Language is a product of the culture and it is a tool of transmission of culture Culture shapes the way we interpret the social and physical world around us Interpretation of gestures Interpretation of facial expressions Interpretation of simple interpersonal contact Culture shapes social norms: accepted and expected behavior Speak (personal space, and expressive content) Dress Eat Greet

Culture influences the environment of every child What we teach and how we teach Moral values – what are those values and how we transmit them Relative importance of goals – how we make choices when we have to choose among goals.

Cultural Variation Culture varies across societies Mediterranean individuals: warm, friendly but inefficient Northern European individuals: Cold, distant but efficient Culture varies over time What generations approve / disapprove.

Culture influences the way we view ourselves Individualism – a view of self as an independent agent Personal goals and individual achievement is important Easier to move, change jobs, change religious affiliations Collectivism – a view of self as an integral member of a group Cohesiveness and well-being of the group has precedence over individual goals Stronger and more stable attachment to family, value of serving group goals

Our assumed characteristics as male or female Gender One of our most biological attributes is our sex: male and female Does culture/environment influence our characteristics as a man or a woman? CULTURE BIOLOGICAL SEX Our assumed characteristics as male or female GENDER

Sex differences or gender differences? MEN Physically larger with more muscle Higher likelihood of aggression Forceful, independent Talk assertively, interrupt, stare, smile less Likely to commit suicide or be alcoholic WOMEN Physically smaller with less muscle Low likelihood of aggression Deferential, affiliative Express support, wait for questions, smile frequently Likely to be depressive or have anxiety and eating disorders GENDER ROLES

How do we acquire GENDER ROLES? Definition: Cluster of prescribed actions / behaviors we expect of those with a given biological sex How do we acquire gender roles? Social Learning Theory: Observation, imitation, reinforcement and punishment Gender Schema Theory: In order to comprehend how males and females differ, we form “concepts” of male and female. We define ourselves and others using that “schema”.