Unit 2: Nature vs. Nurture Study Guide
interaction
the effect on one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heritability)
natural selection
the principle that traits that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to future generations
chromosomes
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
fraternal twins
twins who develop from 2 separate fertilized eggs and are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but shared a fetal environment
identical twins
twins who develop from one fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms
behavior genetics
study of the effects of our genes (nature) and our environments (nurture) on our individual differences in behavior and mental processes
evolutionary psychology
study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection (survival of the fittest)
molecular genetics
subfield of biology that studies molecular structure and function of genes
aggression
physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt someone
heritability
proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes
norms
rules for accepted and expected behavior
selection effect
seeking out those who have similar attitudes and interests
temperament
a person's emotional reactivity and intensity
mutation
a random error in gene replication that leads to change
culture
behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group
genes
biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes, a segment of DNA; capable of synthesizing a protein
gender schema theory
children learn the concepts of what it means to be male and female and that is how you see the world from then on
genome
complete instructions for making an organism; all genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid, a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up chromosomes
environment
every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
gender roles
expectations of how men and women are supposed to behave
individualism
giving priority to one's own goals over groups goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications
collectivism
giving priority to the goals of one's group (often one's extended family or work group) and defining one's identity accordingly
gender identity
how a person views him/herself in terms of gender
gender
in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
testosterone
most important male sex hormone; found in both male and female
social learning theory
we learn gender behavior like other behaviors- observation, imitation, reward, and punishment
