1. Nature-Nurture

2. Outline
Intelligence
Sexuality

3. Intelligence Important individual difference variable
Impacts consistency in responding in many areas of life (school, work, relationships)
Component of ‘personality’
Defined: Ability to reason, solve problems, think abstractly, acquire knowledge & process information efficiently

4. Intelligence Nature & nurture OD: g or s Stability Test validity
Culture free tests?
Raven Progressive Matrices

5. Intelligence
h2 ~ .50
Increasing h2 with increasing genetic relationship (MZ r = .87, DZ r = .50, no relationship r = 0.0)
Leaves substantial environmental influence

6. Environmental Influences
Scarr (1992): Minimally acceptable environment
Bell Curve: Genetics key
Genotype = phenotype
Parenting, special programs not influential

7. Environmental Influences (discussion)
How might the environment influence intelligence?
Range & genotype v. outcome & phenotype
Social programs useless?

8. Intelligence: Issues/Controversies
h2 increases w/ age (30% in kids to 70% in adults)
IQ measure better for older
Genetic influence increases w/ age
h2 -> Environment selection & IQ
Flynn effect (1987)
IQ (g) increased 3 points/decade for 70 years

9. Flynn Effect (Flynn, 1987)

10. Reaction Paper 8: Flynn Effect
What is the Flynn effect? What are some potential explanations for this phenomenon? Why do you think this is occurring?

11. Sexuality Sex, Gender identity, sexual orientation
Individual difference V impacts functioning
Key component of ‘personality’

12. Sex & Gender Sex - biology (chromosomes, anatomy) Gender - psychology
Identity - self-perceived gender
Guides functioning
How do we form our gender identity?
BIOLOGY v. SOCIAL LEARNING

13. Gender Formation: Biology
Sex (& gender) differentiated prenatally
Chromosomes (XX, XY) ->
Gonadal development (testes, ovaries) ->
Hormone production (testosterone, estrogens) ->
Reproductive organs & gender
Brain
Atypical development & GI due to hormone balances

14. Gender Formation: Social Learning
Social and cultural influences key
We respond to kids ala gender roles
Model & reinforce gender appropriate behaviors
Tabula Rosa view of gender at birth
All due to social influences (discount BIO)
Any child could develop a male or female GI
18 months child has GI & it perpetuates

15. Gender Formation: Social Learning
Genetic disorders/accidents -> babies
Born w/ ambiguous genitals
SL approach says gender assignment
Surgery and raise as chosen gender
VIDEO
Limitations of nature
Powerful impact GI has on functioning

16. Sex Surgery (discussion)
You’re child is born w/ ambiguous genitalia. The doctor recommends assigning a gender & surgically modifying the genitals. Would you do as the doctor advises?
If yes what gender would you choose & why?
Do you think this sort of procedure is ethical?

17. Sexual Orientation Erotic attraction & interest in romance, love
Heterosexual (opposite)
Homosexual (same)
Bisexual (both?)

18. Biology & Sexual Orientation
Genes (X chromosome)
Concordance for MZ = ~50%, DZ = ~20%
Hormones (testosterone)
Activating effect (~intensity not direction)
Prenatal effects
Brain
~Hypothalamus smaller among homosexuals
Motor tasks: gay men~heterosexual women
Inner ears of lesbians ~ heterosexual males

19. Psychology & Sexual Orientation
Bower (1996)
Bem: Exotic Becomes Erotic
Temperament influences play behavior
Play with opposite sex kids
Same gender becomes unfamiliar and exotic
Produces arousal interpreted as sex. excitement

20. Erotic Plasticity (Baumeister, 2000)
Degree sexual behavior shaped or changed by cultural and social factors
Women’s sexuality more plastic
Men’s sexuality more linked to physical (nature)
Women’s sexuality linked to social, cultural Vs

21. Activity 10: Erotic Plasticity
In groups of 3-4
Describe the 3 hypotheses of Baumeister & at least 1 source of evidence for each
Is there any evidence that fails to support these Hos?
What is your reaction to the idea that women have higher erotic plasticity?
Do you think all women are higher than men?
If not what Vs impact erotic plasticity among women?
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