1. Nature and Nurture Biopsychology

2. Goals:  What is the nature-nurture issue?  What are key issues in behavior genetics?  What are the elements of the genetic code?  How do twin studies and adoption studies help us to learn about nature and nurture influences?  What are the research findings related to environmental influences of early brain dev, parents, peers, and culture?

3. Behavior Genetics  Studies how our families, friends, and culture affect us.

4. Nature and Nurture  Nature=genes  Nurture=environment

5. What are genes?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubq4 eu_TDFc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubq4 eu_TDFc  Also see diagram of Nucleus, cell, chromosome, Gene, and DNA on p 39 of your textbook.

6. Reminder about genes  They are predispositions but don’t completely dictate our appearance and behaviors!  Ex: Cancer: We aren’t doomed because we have a family history of cancer.  Environment also plays a role.

7. Twin Studies  Is homosexuality genetic?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xht0 hw3nMA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xht0 hw3nMA

8. Environmental Impact  Twins separated at birth:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gwn zW4jOMI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gwn zW4jOMI

9. Are parents to blame for their “bad” children?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co M4JUwfJM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co M4JUwfJM

10. Early Learning, peer influence, and culture  Growing up in the same environment only accounts for abt 10% of personality. Other factors:  Early Learning: Rat study 20% inc in communication connections in brain of rats in enriched environment.  Premies grow faster when touched a lot  Poor 6 th graders had higher IQ scores if they were given stimulating care as infants

11. Peer and Parent influence  Peers have bigger impact on smoking rates  Immigrants adopt local culture at school  Parents are more imp for discipline, education, responsibility, orderliness, charitableness and response to authority.

12. Cultural Influence  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57KW 6RO8Rcs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57KW 6RO8Rcs&feature=related  Individualism vs. Collectivism

13. Review  What is the nature-nurture issue?  What are key issues in behavior genetics?  What are the elements of the genetic code?  How do twin studies and adoption studies help us to learn about nature and nurture influences?  What are the research findings related to environmental influences of early brain dev, parents, peers, and culture?