Myers’ EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY (6th Ed) Chapter 3 Nature & Nurture Of Behavior Based on info fm McCubbin, Myers, Lefton Worth Publishers

Evolutionary Psychology Study of evolution of behavior & mind, using principles of natural selection Example Helps explain gender differences in sexuality Critics Make too many hindsight explanations

Behavior Genetics Study of relative power & limits of genetic & environmental influences on behavior Heredity Biological transmission of traits & characteristics from parents to offspring Genes Biochemical units of heredity; make up chromosomes Environment Every non-genetic influence

Behavior Genetics Twin studies Adoption studies Temperament studies Identical twins Develop from single fertilized egg Fraternal twins Develop from separate eggs Adoption studies Temperament studies Temperament Identical twins Fraternal Same sex only Same or opposite sex

Environmental Influence Examples Parental influence Account for less of personality & more for value & beliefs Experience Enriched environment activates & preserves neural connections Peer influence Culture

Genetic difference between sexes Nature & Gender Genetic difference between sexes X Chromosome Y Chromosome Testosterone

Nurture & Gender Gender Role Gender Identity Gender-typing Set of expected behaviors for males & females Vary over time & across cultures Gender Identity One’s sense of being male or female Gender-typing Acquisition of traditional masculine or feminine role

Nurture & Gender Social Learning Theory Gender Schema Theory Learn social behavior by observing & imitating & by being rewarded or punished Gender Schema Theory Learn from culture a concept of what it means to be male & female & adjust behavior accordingly

Nature & Nurture Genes & experience both important Work together Environment reacting to & shaping what nature predisposes Work together Not ‘if’ but ‘how much’