1. A Psychological Perspective
Genetics
A Psychological Perspective

2. Behavioral Genetics
Understanding how both genetics and the environment contribute to individual variations in human behavior.
Genetics are extremely complex
We share 93% of genes with rhesus monkeys, so the 7% is responsible for unique behaviors.
It is not possible for one gene to be responsible for complicated behaviors such as intelligence, attachment, criminal behavior, etc.

3. Inheritance
Genes that are passed down from parents to their off-spring
Humans are composed of 23 (down syndrome Chromosome) pairs of chromosomes
20,000-25,000 genes
James Watson: Human Genome Project
Mapped human genes
Regardless of this amazing accomplishment, the role of specific genes are still unknown

4. Genetic Research Based off of correlational studies
Independent variable is not manipulated, so no cause and effect can be determined.
Three types:
Twin Studies
Family Studies
Adoption Studies

5. Twin Studies Dizygotic (DZ) Monozygotic (MZ)
Identical: one egg split in two
Share 100% of genes
Same sex
Fraternal: Formed from two separate eggs
Share 50% of genes just like any other siblings
Same or different sex
Used as basis for hypotheses since they show the different degrees of genetic relationship. In twin studies the correlation found is known as concordance.

6. Family Studies More representative of the general population
Different degree of relatedness is compared with behavior to determine the impact of genes.
Child
Mother (50%)
Grandparent (25%)
Father (50%)

7. Adoption Studies Often criticized because of selective placement
Used to determine how great of an impact environment plays in behavior since the child does not share any genes with foster parents.
Often criticized because of selective placement
Agencies tend to find adoptive parents that are similar to their biological parents which cause a difficulty in determining separating genetic inheritance from environment influences. This process is known as selective placement.

8. Theory of Natural Selection
Members of a species acquire adaptive behaviors to survive the ever-changing environment (those better suited for environment will breed and pass on characteristics)
Adaption: Species develop characteristics that make it more competitive in its environment
Charles Darwin
On the Origin of Species
Descent of Man

9. The Descent of Man findings
We humans share several behaviors with other animals
Mate selection
Love of mother for offspring
Self-preservation
Similar facial expressions as apes
Similar feelings as animals

10. Monkeys vs. Humans Tetsuro Matsuzawa (2007)
Looked at spatial memory in young chimps
Used 3 chimps that were taught to recognize the numbers 1-9 on a computer
Humans and chimps saw number flashed on a touch screen monitor and then the numbers were covered with blank squares and then were asked to touch the squares in sequential order.

11. Findings
Humans had more errors and less accuracy as numbers were flashed and replaced by squares quicker
As agriculture developed, spatial memory skills aren’t as important for finding food
Perhaps this skill was replaced by the ability to develop language
Chimps had astonishing memory; no difference in their recall in relation to the amount of time that the numbers were replaced with squares.
Adaption for survival skills such as remembering where food and danger is located in the rain forest

12. Nature vs. Nurture Biology vs. experience
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