0. Behavior Genetics: Predicting Individual Differences
Day 22
Behavior Genetics: Predicting Individual Differences

1. AP Question of the Day
In most people, which one of the following is a specific function of the left hemisphere that is typically not controlled by the right?
producing speech
control of the left hand
spatial reasoning
hypothesis testing
abstract reasoning

2. A.
As mentioned previously in the analysis of split-brain patients, the left hemisphere typically controls speech. The left hand is controlled by the motor cortex in the right hemisphere. Some evidence indicates that the right hemisphere is more active in spatial reasoning. Both hemispheres are involved in hypothesis testing and abstract reasoning.

3. AP Exam Tip of the Day
Heritability is likely to show up on the AP exam because it’s confusing. The key thing to remember is that heritability refers to variation within a group. It does not refer to the impact of nature on an individual. Be clear on both what it is and what it isn’t.

4. FRQ Workshopping
As a class, we are going to plan the FRQ from the Unit 9 Quiz.

5. How to spend your time: 10-12 minutes planning (per question)
1. Read the prompt all the way through.
2. Re-read the prompt and notate the important words in the prompt.
3. Make a chart or diagram of some sort to organize what the prompt is asking you to do.
4. Determine where the points are.
5. Structure the points in logical order.
6. Brainstorm brief notes - say SOMETHING about each point!
13-15 minutes writing (per question)

6. Read the prompt all the way through.
Your friend Bella confides in you that she is pregnant and is very anxious about being a mother. “I don’t know anything about babies! You’re studying psychology - what should I research in order to get ready?” Use the terms below to explain five developmental topics you would share with Bella.
-Nature and nurture
-Attachment
-Temperament
-Parenting styles
-Brain development

7. 2. Re-read the prompt and notate the important words in the prompt.
Your friend Bella confides in you that she is pregnant and is very anxious about being a mother. “I don’t know anything about babies! You’re studying psychology - what should I research in order to get ready?” Use the terms below to explain five developmental topics you would share with Bella.
-Nature and nurture
-Attachment
-Temperament
-Parenting styles
-Brain development

8. 3. Make a chart or diagram of some sort to organize what the prompt is asking you to do.
Term
Define/Explain
Apply to Bella
Nature and nurture
Attachment
Temperament
Parenting styles
Brain development

9. Determine where the points are.
1 point each for defining/explaining and applying to prompt:
Nature and nurture
Attachment
Temperament
Parenting styles
Brain development

10. Structure the points in logical order.
Nature and nurture
Attachment
Temperament
Parenting styles
Brain development

11. Brainstorm brief notes.

12. 15 minutes Re-write the FRQ!
*After spending 10 minutes planning, this is how much time you would have left to write.

13. Swap & Grade
You will get someone else’s paper and we will follow the official scoring guide to grade it.

14. Point 1: Nature and nurture
Bella may want to read about how genetics and environmental influences combine as babies develop. Bella should understand that genetics isn’t “destiny.” The genetic code her child is born with will influence potential mental and physical traits, but environmental factors influence how these traits develop (or don’t develop).

15. Point 2: Attachment
It may be important for Bella to research attachment theory so that she can try to ensure that she and her child develop a secure attachment. Knowing how body contact and familiarity influence attachment could help her develop a healthy attachment with her child.

16. Point 3: Temperament
Learning that heredity predisposes infant temperament could be a relief to Bella, and understanding the traits of “difficult, easy, and slow-to-warm-up” infants could help her deal with her baby’s temperament.

17. Point 4: Parenting styles
Researching the advantages and disadvantages of authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive parenting styles might influence how Bella chooses to parent her child. We tend to parent as we were parented, and learning the results of parenting style research might enable Bella to choose a more authoritative parenting style.

18. Point 5: Brain development
If Bella learns the brain research regarding how vital enriched environments are for children’s brains, she may try to ensure that her child grows up in a strong learning environment. Knowing that babies are born with “too many” neurons and that their environment determines which neurons are connected and which are “pruned” could emphasize for Bella how important a rich environment is for her baby’s developing brain.

19. Collect Papers
At the bottom, put “graded by (your name)” and return to its owner.
After you have seen your score, make a pile on the counter.

20. Questions for Q&A Review
On a sheet of loose leaf, write down 3 questions you would like answered before the 1st Quarter Exam.
We will do a Q&A-style review next class to prepare for the test!

21. Homework
Read and take Cornell Notes on Module 15