EXPLAINING DIFFERENCES/ EXPLAINING SIMILARITIES NATURE VS NURTURE

QUESTION  If it were possible, would you want to take a genetic test telling you which diseases you are likely to suffer from later in life?  If you or your partner were pregnant- would you want the unborn child tested for genetic defects?

Biological determinism NATURE WHEN BIOLOGY DETERMINES CHARACTERISTIC'S

DOMINANT AND RECESSIVE GENES The Tower of London46 Books  23 donated by mother  23 donated by father  Books are Chromosomes  Each chromosome is made up of one DNA molecule  Gene=any group of DNA creating instructions for a specific biochemical unit  25-30,000 genes per chromosome

MECHANISMS OF HEREDITY Genotype Complete set of genes one has inherited Phenotype Combination of genotype and environmental influences that result in the actual expression of traits -physical -behavioral -psychological

DOMINANT VS. RECESSIVE GENES Dominant genes Characteristic is always present Recessive genes Two recessive genes must be paired in order for the characteristic to be present

CONSIDER DOLLY…. Would a human clone’s adult personality mimic the person donating the genetic code? or Would he/she be unique?

HEREDITY=WHEN BIOLOGY DETERMINES CHARACTERISTICS Genetic Predisposition  Humans are born with a likelihood toward certain characteristics  Does not mean “Born with”  Usually needs something from the environment to activate- (diathesis-stress model)  Common genetic predispositions….body weight-alcoholism- Alzheimer’s-Schizophrenia Genetic Determinism The idea that genes determine characteristics Genotype= “full” heredity Phenotype= “observed” properties Common genetic abnormalities.. Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Color blindness, PKU

STILL CONFUSED? Heritability Refers to the amount of Difference between individuals … that seem to be accounted for by heredity. Body Weight IF body weight was 40% heritability it would NOT mean that 40% of your body weight comes from genetics…. But that 40% of the difference between you and some other individual seems due to genetics

HOW DO GENES AND THE ENVIRONMENT INTERACT? PKU= Phenylketonuria Occurs when parents pass along a defective gene

How Similar Are We? How do we know?

The Minnesota Twin Study IDENTICAL TWINS REARED APART…

Characteristics more similar to biological parents.. With some exceptions.. Faith, values, manners, attitude. ADOPTION STUDIES

YOUR “GENETIC” OR “CORE” OF YOUR PERSONALITY IS YOUR TEMPERAMENT The Easy child The Difficult child The Slow-to-warm-up child

“Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you presents determinism; the way you play it is free will.” Nehru

Nurture THE ENVIRONMENT (AND OUR EXPERIENCES) SHAPE US…

NATURE ENABLES NURTURE AND NURTURE ENABLES NATURE Critical Period: An important time in development where development needs to happen or it will be delayed or dysfunctional Prenatal influences: German measles, birth defects, teratogens, fetal alcohol syndrome

GENES AND ENVIRONMENT INTERACT DYNAMICALLY A child’s genotype (shyness) may affect the environments and experiences they seek……extremely shy children may avoid interactions with peers or be afraid of asking teachers for help

EXPERIENCE AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT… IT’S COMPLICATED Impoverished Environment The Somerville Project Enriched Environment Abecedarian Project