Nature vs. Nurture

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz Answer True or False for the following questions 1. Even complex human traits are determined by a single gene 2. People’s divorce risks are about 50% attributable to genetic factors 3. Adoptees’ traits bear more similar to their adoptive parents than to their biological parents 4. Two different children in the same family are on average as different from one another as are pairs of children selected from the general population

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz cont 5. If after a worldwide catastrophe only Icelanders and Kenyans survived, the human species would soon be just as mixed and diverse as it is now 6. A child who hears English spoken with one accent at home and another in the neighborhood or at school adopts the accent of their peers, not their parents 7. Compared with Westerners, people in Japan exhibit greater concern for social harmony and loyalty

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz cont 8. Seven weeks after conception, males and females remain anatomically identical 9. Even when families discourage gender typing, children still organize themselves into “boy worlds” and “girl worlds”

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz Answers 1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. False 6. True 7. True 8. True 9. True

Heredity vs. Environment Heredity- characteristics obtained directly from the genes Environment- person’s surroundings (which influence a person’s characteristics) Which do you think has the greatest influence? Nature? Nurture? Why?

Heredity Genes- basic units of heredity Ex eye color, hair color, body build, etc. Chromosomes- structures containing genes All human cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), except for reproductive cells which contain 23 chromosomes (1/2 of a pair, so they can attach to the other half to make a person)

Gender X Chromosome Y Chromosome In both men and women (men have 1, women have 2) X Chromosome from each parent produces a female child Y Chromosome Only in men (men have 1) Y Chromosome when paired with the X Chromosome from the mother produces a male child

Evolutionary Psychology Evolutionary Psychology- the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using the principles of natural selection 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

Evolutionary Psychology World wide, men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health and women preferred resources and social status

Evolutionary Psychology Quiz Take Evolutionary Psychology Quiz #1 Most people picked 5 year old More attached to older child, known longer Child speaks, has emotions, etc. Not as close to infant Infant can’t speak, do anything #2 Most people picked 20 year old 20 year old still has a lot of life ahead, too young to die 40 year told has lived his/her life, older and ready more ready to die

Evolutionary Psychology Quiz cont #3 Men say younger youth and appearance, better chance to procreate, healthier Women say older settled, mature, family man # 4 Men and women rate kindness high Men rate attractiveness higher Men rate exciting personality higher Women rate ambition and motivation higher Women rate financial prospects higher

Evolutionary Psychology Quiz #5 Most people say mother of the mother Assume mothers are more nurturing and caring, so double pick double mother #6 Most people say death of a son Men valued more, can carry on family name, can provide for family if needed #7 Most people say death of a healthy child Not fair, sudden, child go on to procreate Unhealthy child ok, prepared for death

Evolutionary Psychology Rate your 4 grandparents on a scale of 1-100 (1 cold, no relationship, 100 very warm, great relationship) Do mother mother, mother father, father mother, and father father Most people rate mother mother highest and father father lowest Maybe grandparents follow Evolutionary Psychology too?

Twin Studies Used to debate “nature vs. nurture” Identical twins- one egg that splits the most alike any 2 people can be Fraternal twins- 2 eggs as different as regular siblings or 2 random people Read about Minnesota Twin Study

Individualism vs. Collectivism Individualism- giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications Collectivism- giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work group) and defining one’s identity accordingly Western cultures (America/Europe) tend to be more individualist than Eastern cultures (Asia/Africa)

Value Contrasts Between Individualism and Collectivism Morality Defined by individuals Defined by social networks (self-based) (duty-based) Attributing Behavior reflects one’s personality Behavior reflects social behaviors and attitudes and roles Value Contrasts Between Individualism and Collectivism Concept Individualism Collectivism Self Independent Interdependent (identity from individual traits) identity from belonging) Life task Discover and express one’s Maintain connections, fit in uniqueness What matters Me--personal achievement and We-group goals and solidarity; fulfillment; rights and liberties social responsibilities and relationships Coping method Change reality Accommodate to reality Relationships Many, often temporary or casual; Few, close and enduring; confrontation acceptable harmony valued