1. Biological Beginnings
Chapter 2

2. The Evolutionary Perspective
Natural selection
Those individuals of a species that are a best adapted are the ones that survive and reproduce.
They pass on their characteristics to the next generation
They are better adapted to their world than non- survivors
Charles Darwin

3. The Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary Psychology
Emphasizes the importance of adaptation, reproduction, and "survival of the fittest" in shaping behavior
Behaviors that increase reproductive success
How we make decisions, how aggressive we are, our fears, and our mating patterns

4. Genetic Foundations of Development
Genetic influences on behavior evolved over time and across many species.
DNA - not just inherited from parents, but what we inherited as a species from other species, that were our ancestors.

5. Genetic Foundations of Development
Chromosomes- structures made up of DNA
The nucleus of each human cell contains chromosomes
DNA- Complex molecule that contains genetic information
Genes- The units of hereditary information, short segments of DNA

6. Genetic Foundations of Development
Genes are passed on through 3 processes
Mitosis- cell reproduction, cells nucleus duplicates and the cell divides
Meiosis- cell division that occurs to form eggs and sperm (Gametes)
Fertilization-egg and sperm fuse to create a single cell, call a zygote

7. Genetic Foundations of Development
Genotype-A persons genetic heritage; the actual genetic material
Phenotype-The way an individual genotype is expressed in observed and measurable characteristics
Physical characteristics and psychological characteristics

8. Genetic Foundations of Development
Chromosomal Abnormalities (see chart in text)
Down Syndrome - Mild to severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities
Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)- physical abnormalities
Fragile X syndrome- intellectual disability, learning disability, short term attention span
Turner Syndrome (XO)-intellectual disability and sexual underdevelopment
XYY syndrome- above average height

9. Genetic Foundations of Development
Gene-linked abnormalities (Mental concerns) - see chart in text
Huntington disease - problems with muscle coordination and mental deterioration
Phenylketonuria (PKU) - intellectual disability
Spina Bifida - brain and spine abnormalities
Tay-Sachs disease- deceleration of mental and physical development

10. Genetic Foundations of Development
Genetic Counselor
Identify and analyze inheritance patterns and explore options with the family
Understand the kinds of problems, the odds of encountering them, and helpful strategies for offsetting some of their effects

11. Adoption Increased Diversity No income requirements
Wide range of backgrounds
Single adults, gay and lesbian adults, other family members
50% of US adoptions occur through the foster care system

12. Adoption Outcomes Higher risk for:
Externalizing (aggression and conduct problems)
Internalizing (anxiety and depression)
Attention problems (ADHD)
But majority adjust effectively

13. Adoption Outcomes
Do better than children raised in long-term foster care
Very early adopted do better than later adopted
Open adoption (sharing identifying information of birth parents)
Yields positive results in many studies for children and birth mothers
Closed adoption (non sharing of info)

14. Parenting Adopted Children
Parents need to recognize the unique differences in adoptive family life
Communicate about these differences
Show respect for the birth family
Support the child's search for self and identity

15. Parenting Adopted Children
Infancy: Counselors can help prospective adoptive parents develop realistic expectations
Early childhood: 4-6 years is a natural time to begin to talk in simple ways to children about heir adoption status
Middle and late childhood: Recognize that ambivalence is normal (mixed feelings and questions)
Adolescence: Understand the complexity of the adolescents identity exploration and be patient with their lengthy identity search

16. Behavior Genetics
The field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity and environment on individual difference in human traits and development.
Twin Studies- behavioral similarity of identical twins compared with fraternal twins (identical twins with more conduct problems)
Adoption studies- the behavior and psychological characteristics of adopted children are more like those of their adoptive parents, or more like those of the biological parents