Unit 3-B (F): The Brain and Consciousness A.P. Psychology

Do-Now (Discussion) Has what you have learned about how our brains enable our minds affected your view of Psychology? How so?

The Brain and Consciousness Our awareness of ourselves and our environment Cognitive Neuroscience: The interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition: Perception Thinking Memory Language

Dual Processing Can you recall a time when, your attention focused on one thing, you were oblivious to something else?

Dual Processing Dual Processing: The principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks E.g. Vision: Visual Action Track (Conscious) Visual Perception Track (Unconscious)

The “Hollow Face” Illusion

Is the Brain Ahead of the Mind?

Mind and Brain as a Holistic System

Review What is consciousness? What are the evolutionary benefits of experiencing various levels of consciousness? What are the two tracks of dual processing? In what ways do the mind and brain influence one another?

Unit 3-C (A): Behavior Genetics A.P. Psychology

Do-Now (In Journal) List 10 physical, mental, and/or emotional characteristics that you share with your biological family members. Identify which family members you share each trait with.

Demonstration: Genetics Fold your hands together (interlocking your fingers). Do you place your left or right thumb on top of the other? Switch the position of your fingers, such that your opposite thumb is now on top. How does this feel?

Behavior Genetics Behavior Genetics: Environment: The study of the relative power and limits of our genetic and environmental influences on behavior Environment: Every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

What is the purpose of Behavior Genetics in Psychology?

Genes: Our Codes for Life Chromosomes: Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain genes DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes

Human DNA Shared with Other Organisms Humans share much of their DNA with other organisms: Identical Twins: 100% Parents/Children: 99.5% Other Humans: 99% Chimpanzees: 98% Fruit Fly: 60% Banana: 50%

Genes: Our Codes for Life The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes Segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein Genome: The complete instructions for making an organism Consists of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes

The Human Cell & Genetics

Genes: Our Codes for Life “Your DNA and mine are 99.9% the same.. At the DNA level, we are clearly all part of one big worldwide family.” Francis Collins, Human Genome Project director, 2007 “We share half our genes with the banana.” Evolutionary biologist, Robert May, president of Britain’s Royal Society, 2001

Review What is Behavior Genetics? What is its significance in Psychology? Differentiate between the following: Chromosomes DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Genes

Unit 3-C (B): Twin Studies A.P. Psychology

Do-Now (Discussion) Think about someone you know who was adopted as a child: In what ways are their personalities similar to their adoptive parent(s)? In what ways are they different? In what ways are their personalities similar to their biological parent(s), if known? What do you feel has a greater influence on one’s personality – one’s biological make-up or one’s familial environment?

Identical Vs. Fraternal Twins Identical Twins: Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating genetically identical organisms Same sex only Fraternal Twins: Twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs Genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment Same or opposite sex

Identical Vs. Fraternal Twins

Identical Vs. Fraternal Twins

Separated Twins Identical twins who have been separated since birth tend to share many cognitive, behavioral, and social similarities with one another (more so than fraternal twins). Adopted children tend to share many cognitive, behavioral, and social similarities, with both their adoptive and biological parents; however, there tend to be stronger similarities with biological parents.

Review Differentiate between Identical Twins and Fraternal Twins in terms of the following: Prenatal Development Genetic Make-up Physical Appearance To what extent do you attribute Nature and Nurture to the following: Personality “Intelligence”/IQ

Unit 3-C (C): Heritability and Molecular Genetics A.P. Psychology

Do-Now (In Journal) How much of your behavior do you attribute to biology? How much of your behavior do you attribute to your environment? Why?

Heritability Heritability: The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes Varies, depending on populations and environments being studied Measured from 0-1: 0 [0%] (low heritability): Influenced by environment 1 [100%] (high heritability): Influenced by genes E.g.: If the heritability of intelligence in a given population/environment is 40% (moderately low), then genetic influence explains 40% of differences in intelligence among that specific population Herit: Inherit Ability: Capability

Heritability: Genetic or Environmental Differences? Observe the image of “Plant Heritability” What can explain variations of height among plants grown in the left flower pot? Describe the Heritability (High/Low) of height variations among plants grown in the left flower pot. What can explain variations of height among plants grown in the right flower pot? Describe the Heritability (High/Low) of height variations among plants grown in the right flower pot. What can explain variations of height among plants grown in both the left and right flower pots? Describe the Heritability (High/Low) of height variations among plants grown in both the left and right flower pots.

Heritability Can you think of a real-life example, in which differences within a specific population were highly due to environment (low heritability)? Can you think of a real-life example, in which differences within a specific population were highly due to genetics (high heritability)?

Nature Vs. Nurture Genes and environments work together in influencing human thought and behavior: Genes may predispose individuals to various physical and psychological traits, though one’s environment may affect the extent to which these traits develop Interaction: The interplay that occurs when one factor (heredity) affects another factor (environment) E.g. Someone with a predisposition to aggression may elicit others to treat them more defensively

Nature Vs. Nurture Can you think of an example of an interaction between a “Nature” factor and a “Nurture” factor?

Molecular Genetics Molecular Genetics: The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes “Bottom Up” approach to understanding biopsychology E.g. Identifying genes that influence one’s introversion vs. extroversion

Unit 3-C (D): Evolutionary Psychology A.P. Psychology

changed physically due to Do-Now (Discussion) What are some ways that humans have changed physically due to Natural Selection?

Evolutionary Psychology The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection Natural Selection: The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Evolutionary Psychology It’s all about survival: Organisms’ varied offspring compete for survival Certain biological and behavioral variations increase organisms’ reproductive and survival chances in their particular environment Offspring that survive are more likely to pass their genes to ensuing generations Over time, population characteristics may change

Evolutionary Psychology What are some human psychological traits the promote survival?

Evolutionary Psychology Mutation: A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Evolutionary Psychology Many psychological traits that humans possess today have their roots in evolution: Food preferences Fears Stress management Gender differences Sexual behaviors Some evolutionary psychologists feel that humans are biologically prepared for a world that no longer exists

Evolutionary Psychology: Differences in Sexual Behavior In general, which sex tends to be more sexually aggressive and promiscuous? How might an evolutionary psychologist explain men’s higher rate of sexual activity?

Evolutionary Psychology: Differences in Sexual Behavior Question (summarized) Male Female Casual sex 58% 34% Sex for affection 25% 48% Think about sex everyday 54% 19%

Evolutionary Psychology: Differences in Sexual Behavior Psychological Study on Sexual Preferences: In a range of cultures studied (indicated by red dots), more men than women preferred youthful women; more women than men preferred mates with resources and social status

The Biopsychosocial Approach: Nature And Nurture

Review What is Evolutionary Psychology? How does Natural Selection apply to human thought and behavior? How are the following a result of psychobiological evolution in humans: Preference for sweet and fatty foods Fear of spiders and snakes, but not guns and electricity Men’s higher rate of sexual activity What does the Biopsychosocial Approach suggest about the Nature-Nurture Debate?