module 14
What are two important qualifications to the statement above?
Being created from one fertilized egg and having the same genetics (genetically identical). However, they don't always have the same amount of copies of genes (leads to one-sided diseases) nor do they always share a placenta. (more nourishment)
Discuss the findings of Bouchard's twin studies.
Bouchard studied the Jim twins after being separated at birth for 38 years. He recorded their voices, and, having the same inflections and tone, one of them mistook himself for the other. Though they had never interacted until age 38, the two were pretty much alike. Bouchard continued to study twins separated at brith, and found that they had similar tastes, physical attributes, and personalities, including abilities, attitudes, interests, and fears.
What are some ways in which DNA gathering techniques are being used to help humans?
Cheek swabs and blood tests, for example, are being used to distinguish differences in genes between patients with and without bi-polar disorder. DNA-scanning techniques are also allowing for future parents to see how their fetus's genes differ from the normal pattern and what that entails.
What is a criticism leveled at Bouchard's studies?
Critics said that his studies were more like anecdotes or a cover story, rather than raw data. They believed that you could bring two strangers and, over the course of a few hours, they would discover coincidental similarities. This also applies to those who grew up in similar backgrounds.
How might this cause differences between traits of identical twins?
For identical twins, they may look the same and grow up together, but when they are exposed to different environments, they adapt and develop different personalities, interests, and other characteristics.
How is heritability defined?
Heritability is the amount or extent to which variation occurs among a group of individuals that is a result of genes.
How are identical twins behaviorally more similar than fraternal twins?
Identical twins have identical genetics, which translates to similar temperaments, interests, looks, etc.
What example from your own life can you give to show how heredity and environment work together?
My parents always brought me and my sister to St. John's to volunteer to make Christmas dinner for the women and children there. Over time, I grew to love volunteer work, without having to be forced to go. In addition, I pretty much grew up in my synagogue. At first, I hated be forced to go every Sunday, but as time progressed I grew to love it, and eventually I came back to be a madricha there.
How is the example of two babies born with different genetic personalities used to explain how heredity and environment work together?
Our genes respond to how we're treated. If a child who is genetically "more attractive" or "more social", and given more attention and care, they will grow up to fulfill the environment they grew up in.
Why are psychologists interested in variations found at particular gene sites in humans?
Small differences in our genome patterns can help us understand humans' uniqueness.
According to the text, what is the rather counterintuitive finding regarding adoptive families versus biological families?
The counterintuitive finding is that adopted children are more like their biological parents, though they are separated. Adoption is also a screening process, in which parents are chosen, rather than biological. (it's controlled)
Why is it important to the study of human behavior?
This is important studying human behavior because it can identify the specific genes that influence our behavior
Why is this the case?
This is true because if everyone grew up in the same environment, equally healthy and equally loved, the more our genes would become a factor in our differences.
Describe what is meant by this statement, and why people are often surprised by this finding.
This means that all personality traits come from heredity and genetics. This is surprising because parenting is environmental influence over certain attributes of behavior (i.e. manners, faith, values, etc.)
what does this mean?
This means that genes are either expressed or not expressed. In order to be expressed, genes must be "turned on" by environmental factors.
"Heredity deals the cards; environment plays the hand." -C. Brewer, 1990 (p. 131) How does Charles Brewer's quote above explain the interaction between heredity and environment?
We are born with our genes, but the environment triggers what happens with them or what gets "turned on".
Genes are either ___ or ___
active or inactive
What does it mean to say that genes "react"?
genes react or turn on differently in different environments.
As environments become more similar, heredity as a source of difference becomes
more important
The environment shared by a family's children has virtually__ discernible impact on their personalities.
no discernable impact
identical twins form from a; are
single fertilized egg cell; genetically identical
What is molecular genetics?
the study of the structure and function of chromosomes and genes