Biopsychology General Psychology Don’t miss the animation of this presentation!   Press F5 (at the top row of your keyboard). Then use your space bar or arrow keys to advance the slides. Have questions? online@pmi.edu   Biopsychology General Psychology Title: Genetics Intro: Psychology examines behaviors and the mental processes related to them. Behaviors are the result of an interaction between biology and environment. Body: Genotype and phenotype Genotype is blueprint Phenotype is manifestation of blueprint plus everything else, and can change over time. Genetics and environment Genes are passed on by parents and cannot be changed. Environment changes constantly and can therefore constantly change who you are.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006 You’ve probably heard people debate the influences of nature vs. nurture. Was Albert Einstein intelligent because of the genes he inherited from his parents, or because of the environment in which he was raised? Are some people biologically predisposed to commit crimes or do their experiences lead to these acts? Psychology examines behaviors and the mental processes related to them. Biopsychology is a specialty in psychology that studies the interaction <>between>> biology, behavior, and the environment. Biopsychologists attempt to answer questions about the influences of nature and nurture upon behavior, both “normal” and exceptional behavior. Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006

Genes and Inheritance Genotype An organism’s genetic makeup Phenotype An organism’s observable physical characteristics Mutations Genetic variations, which occur randomly, especially during the recombination of chromosomes in sex reproduction A genotype is an organism’s unique genetic makeup. Phenotype refers to observable physical and behavioral characteristics. In other words, the genotype is the blueprint, whereas the phenotype is the visible structure. While a phenotype is based on biology, there are other things—<<in addition to genetic makeup>>—that affect each organism’s phenotype. <<Recall that a cell is the basic unit of life. Cells are created using the instructions given by one’s genotype. Cells compose molecules which in turn begin to act and interact with one another to produce larger and more complex phenomena such as metabolism, tissues, organs, reflexes, and behaviors—>>anything that is part of the observable structure, function or behavior of a living organism.

Biopsychology Neuroscience The specialty in psychology that studies interaction of biology, behavior, and the environment Neuroscience Interdisciplinary field that focuses on the brain and its role in psychological processes At a very basic level, your biology determines who you are. The particular combination of genes you inherited from your parents gave you a certain eye color, made you tall or short, and color blind or not. Your genes may also have made you more likely to suffer depression, become alcoholic, or have genius-level intelligence. However, these things are not determined only by your genes. Living with an alcoholic parent can make a person more prone to alcoholism. So how do you separate the influences of biology and environment?

One way researchers have been able to isolate the effect of biology vs environment is by conducting studies on identical twins. Because identical twins have the exact same genes, certain differences between them can be attributed to environment. For example, the concordance rate of bipolar disorder (meaning both twins have the disorder) is 80 percent for identical twins, as compared to only 16 percent for fraternal twins. While this indicates a strong genetic link, the lack of 100% concordance suggests that bipolar disorder is also somewhat influenced by environment. Studies of identical twins who do not live together (such as one when is adopted) offer even more of an opportunity to separate the influences of heredity and environment. In studies of adopted identical twins, the twins can be compared to each other and also to the parents to help isolate the effects of genetics and environment.

How Are Genes and Behavior Linked? Evolution is the gradual process of biological change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological processes because it favors genetic variations that produce adaptive behavior Psychological Processes Evolution is the gradual process of change that occurs in a species as it adapts to its environment. Natural selection is the driving force behind evolution, by which the environment “selects” the fittest organisms. Evolution has fundamentally shaped psychological processes because it favors genetic variations that produce adaptive behavior. In other words, organisms with genes that help them to successfully adapt are more likely to survive, and pass their genes on to the next generation. While evolution generally occurs over a long period of time, adaptation to the environment doesn’t necessarily take several generations. <<For example, a child put into an environment in which he doesn’t receive enough stimulation is likely to suffer developmental delays even though his brain and body may be completely normal. All humans are influenced by their environments throughout their lives. >> This suggests that while Albert Einstein may have been genetically predisposed to intelligence, his environment also played a role.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006 No single gene determines a particular behavior. Behaviors are complex traits involving multiple genes that are affected by a variety of other factors. With disorders, behaviors, or any physical trait, genes are one small part of the story. Having a genetic variant doesn't necessarily mean that a particular trait will develop. The presence of certain genetic factors can enhance or repress other genetic factors. Genes are turned on and off, and other factors may be keeping a gene from being turned "on." In addition, the protein encoded by a gene can be modified in ways that can affect its ability to carry out its normal cellular function. Genetic factors also can influence the role of certain environmental factors in the development of a particular trait. For example, a person may have a genetic variant that is known to increase his risk for developing emphysema <<as a result of smoking which is an environmental factor. If that person never smokes, then emphysema will never develop.>> Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2006

Please close this Powerpoint presentation and continue the lesson. WHAT’S NEXT? Please close this Powerpoint presentation and continue the lesson. Based on: Psychology Core Concepts, 5th Ed. By: Philip G. Zimbardo, Robert L. Johnson, Ann L. Weber What does all this mean? The next time someone tells you you’re pretty, ugly, smart, stupid, funny, or gloomy like one of your parents, you can argue that you are a unique individual, not necessarily like or unlike anyone. The truth is, even you can’t really know which parts of you can be attributed to genetics or to your experiences. Presented by 27