1. Nature and Nurture in Psychology Module 3, Chapter 1 ** Write the heading and all that’s underlined!**

2. Important questions to ask What makes you, you? What makes you, you? How do our families, our friends, and our culture in which we live affect us? How do our families, our friends, and our culture in which we live affect us? This is what behavior genetics focuses on. This is what behavior genetics focuses on. Socio-cultural perspective anyone? Socio-cultural perspective anyone? If you were cloned at birth, would your clone be exactly like you? If you were cloned at birth, would your clone be exactly like you?

3. Behavior Genetics Studies the relative effects of genes and environmental influences on behavior. Studies the relative effects of genes and environmental influences on behavior. Genes – biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes; a segment of DNA. Genes – biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes; a segment of DNA. Set up our physical beings and influence behavior. Set up our physical beings and influence behavior. Environment – every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. Environment – every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. Culture you are raised in, socio-economic status, family. Culture you are raised in, socio-economic status, family.

4. Nature and Nurture Nature side entails the genetic code passed from parent to child. Nature side entails the genetic code passed from parent to child. Biology Biology Nurture side involves all environmental influences from prenatal development on. Nurture side involves all environmental influences from prenatal development on. Environment Environment Which parts of human behavior can we attribute to nature and which can be attributed to nurture? Which parts of human behavior can we attribute to nature and which can be attributed to nurture?

5. Genetics in Brief We all have our own genetic code. We all have our own genetic code. Biological blueprint found in every cell nucleus that contains master code for your entire body. Biological blueprint found in every cell nucleus that contains master code for your entire body. Chromosomes – threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. Chromosomes – threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. 46 in each cell, 23 from each parent. 46 in each cell, 23 from each parent. DNA – complex molecule containing the genetic info that makes up the chromosomes. DNA – complex molecule containing the genetic info that makes up the chromosomes.

6. Genes: ChromosomesLocation & Composition

7. GenomeNucleotides The complete genetic instructions for a given organism The complete genetic instructions for a given organism All the genetic material in an organism’s chromosome pattern All the genetic material in an organism’s chromosome pattern The four letter code to distinguish genes The four letter code to distinguish genes Letters A,T,C, or G are used Letters A,T,C, or G are used

8. Mutation Genetic Predisposition Random errors in the replication of genes from parent to child which result in change of an individual’s genetic code Random errors in the replication of genes from parent to child which result in change of an individual’s genetic code Can be desirable or undesirable changes Can be desirable or undesirable changes Superior eyesight, or predisposed to cancer. Superior eyesight, or predisposed to cancer. The possibility of something happening through the genetic code The possibility of something happening through the genetic code Genetics creates the potential for something Genetics creates the potential for something The environment may or may not trigger the predisposition The environment may or may not trigger the predisposition Genetic traits and diseases, sun burn easily, etc. Genetic traits and diseases, sun burn easily, etc.

9. Nature and Similarity Similarities Similarities 99% of all humans genetic make up is the same! 99% of all humans genetic make up is the same! Despite our differences, human beings throughout the world share a number of similarities…how so? Despite our differences, human beings throughout the world share a number of similarities…how so? Evolutionary Psychology Evolutionary Psychology The study of evolution of behavior and the mind The study of evolution of behavior and the mind Uses the principle of natural selection Uses the principle of natural selection We have similar genes b/c we are all from people who used similar practices to survive. We have similar genes b/c we are all from people who used similar practices to survive. Natural Selection Natural Selection Darwin’s principle that those traits contributing to the survival of the species will most likely be passed on to the next generation Darwin’s principle that those traits contributing to the survival of the species will most likely be passed on to the next generation Discover thru trail and error what foods are okay to eat. Discover thru trail and error what foods are okay to eat.

10. Nature and Individual Differences: Twin Studies Anyone know any twins? How are they alike and how are they different?

11. Identical Twins Fraternal Twins Nature’s human clones. Nature’s human clones. Twins who developed from a single fertilized egg Twins who developed from a single fertilized egg Are genetically identical Are genetically identical Called monozygotic twins Called monozygotic twins Twins who developed from separate eggs Twins who developed from separate eggs Genetically no different than other siblings Genetically no different than other siblings Called dizygotic twins Called dizygotic twins

12. Heritability What has been inherited from your family and genetic code? What has been inherited from your family and genetic code? The proportion of an individual’s characteristics that can be attributed to genetics (heredity) The proportion of an individual’s characteristics that can be attributed to genetics (heredity) The degree to which traits are inherited. The degree to which traits are inherited.

13. Twin Studies Used to determine the heritability of a given trait Used to determine the heritability of a given trait Data is collected from both identical and fraternal twins on the trait Data is collected from both identical and fraternal twins on the trait Compare the data between the two groups Compare the data between the two groups Important not to conclude that a specific behavior is inherited, just the genetic predisposition to that behavior (anger, conflict, etc.). Important not to conclude that a specific behavior is inherited, just the genetic predisposition to that behavior (anger, conflict, etc.).

14. Adoption Studies Compare adopted children’s traits with those of their biological parents and their adopted parents Compare adopted children’s traits with those of their biological parents and their adopted parents Trait similarities with biological parents: attribute the trait to heredity Trait similarities with biological parents: attribute the trait to heredity Trait similarities with the adopted parents: attribute the trait to the environment Trait similarities with the adopted parents: attribute the trait to the environment

15. Environment Matters: Early Learning and Brain Development Did you know that genetic traits account for about half of our personality traits? And growing up in the same house only accounts for 10% of our personalities? Look at page 45 for a story.

16. Early Brain Development Use it or lose it! Use it or lose it! Experience nurtures nature (????) Experience nurtures nature (????) Ex: I don’t remember science learned in the 5 th grade, so “no, in some cases I am not smarter than a 5 th grader”. Ex: I don’t remember science learned in the 5 th grade, so “no, in some cases I am not smarter than a 5 th grader”. Ex: If you roller blade in elementary school, but don’t again until you are 21…you might have to re-learn. Ex: If you roller blade in elementary school, but don’t again until you are 21…you might have to re-learn. Early experience is critical in brain development (in order for us to reach our full potential). Early experience is critical in brain development (in order for us to reach our full potential). In later life continued use is necessary to maintain neural connections in the brain. In later life continued use is necessary to maintain neural connections in the brain.

17. Look at how much nurture can affect! Examples from page 60: Rats house for 60 days in an enriched (fun, stimulating) environment had brain weight increases of 7-10% more than rats housed in an impoverished (boring) environment. Rats house for 60 days in an enriched (fun, stimulating) environment had brain weight increases of 7-10% more than rats housed in an impoverished (boring) environment. Premature babies who receive special handling (touch, massage) grow more rapidly physically and neurologically than preemies who do not receive the same treatment. Premature babies who receive special handling (touch, massage) grow more rapidly physically and neurologically than preemies who do not receive the same treatment.

18. What are Feral Children? How did their environment impact them? How about their nature?

19. Environment Matters: Peer Influence Cultural Influence Peer influence in adolescence is very powerful. Peer influence in adolescence is very powerful. Many studies suggest a peer group is correlated with school performance, smoking, and other behaviors. Many studies suggest a peer group is correlated with school performance, smoking, and other behaviors. Ex: If your group of friends doesn’t do drugs… you probably won’t either. Ex: If your group of friends doesn’t do drugs… you probably won’t either. Shared attitudes, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group Shared attitudes, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group Culture is communicated from one generation to the next Culture is communicated from one generation to the next Influences our: Influences our: Food selection, religious choices, family activities, etc. Tend to think your culture is the best. Tend to think your culture is the best.

20. Norms: What is Normal? Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior Consist of the “proper behavior” within a group Consist of the “proper behavior” within a group So what the heck does normal mean, anyway? So what the heck does normal mean, anyway?

21. CollectivismIndividualism Giving priority to the goals of one’s group over one’s personal goals Giving priority to the goals of one’s group over one’s personal goals Defining one’s identity in terms of the group’s identification rather than personal attributes Defining one’s identity in terms of the group’s identification rather than personal attributes See people as connected to others See people as connected to others Individual needs are sacrificed for the good of the group. Individual needs are sacrificed for the good of the group. Giving priority to one’s goals over the goals of the group Giving priority to one’s goals over the goals of the group Defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than the group’s identification Defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than the group’s identification Tend to see people as separate and independent Tend to see people as separate and independent