Natural Selection and Motivation - Psych 1 Final

determinants of sexual orientation

1. Genetics, possibly differences in brain structures 2. Established early, resistant to change

Fixed Action Pattern

A sequence of behavioral acts that is essentially unchangeable and usually carried to completion once initiated. Seeing somebody yawn makes you yawn and you cant stop the response.

Sexual Dimorphism

Differences in physical characteristics between males and females of the same species. Females tend to be bigger except in species with proportionally large brains.

Advantages of sexual reproduction

Gene variety;stronger genes;increased disease resistance.

Personal Fitness

Health as a organism.

Theory of emotion

James-Lange theory: We have experiences, and as a result, our autonomic nervous system creates physiological events such as muscular tension, heart rate increases, perspiration, dryness of the mouth, etc. This theory proposes that emotions happen as a result of these, rather than being the cause of them.

Evolutionary Explanation of Sex Roles

The behaviors and patterns of activities man and women may engage in that are directly related to their biological differences and the process of reproduction.

Inclusive Fitness

The sum of an individuals own reproductive success plus the effects the organism has on the reproductive success of related others. Assistance to the kin's reproduction.

Behavioural genetics (Tryon)

a field that examines the genetic and environmental bases of differences among individuals on psychological traits

Polygraph

a medical instrument that records several physiological processes simultaneously (e.g., pulse rate and blood pressure and respiration and perspiration). A lie detector.

evolutionary explanation of altruism

allows for members of the same specie to pass on their genetic make up, even if it isn't that actual animal bur rather its close relative. Basically to improve chances of survival of their type.

Critical Period

an optimal period shortly after birth when an organism's exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces proper development

Variability (Requirements for natural selection)

differences among organisms in terms of traits and genes.

Male display resulting from sexual selection

display of strength and personal fitness through violence or display of color such as in birds.

Kinsey survey

divised an experiment with 7 equal intervals that measured your sexuality.

Promiscuity

everyone mates with everyone

Cryptic female choice

females select between sperm of two or more males after insemination

Risk Factors for violent behavior

having been a victim of violence during childhood, living in a neighborhood where violence is common, and having a substance abuse problem, mental illness

Vestigial Structures

is the evidence of a common ancestor., nonfunctional structures in an organism that are a remnant of structures that were functional in some ancestral form of the organism. For example: wings in flightless birds, pelvic bone in whales and snakes and finger bones in penguin flipper.

Inheritance Mechanism (Requirements for natural selection)

is the inheritance of DNA that comes from both parents. Father donates Y chromosome and mom donates the X chromosome.

Taxis

movement towards or away from a simple stimulus. Such as the attraction to light and attraction to chemicals.

Selection Pressures (Requirements for natural selection)

natural forces that promote the reproductive success of some individuals more than others

Polygamy

one animal has many mates

Research on Human Imprinting

one copy inherited from one parent is active, for some genes the maternal copy and for others the paternal, while the same gene from the other parent is inactive or silent.

Polyandry

one female has many male partners

Polygyny

one male has many female partners

Monogamy

pairing with only one mate

Rationale for sexual reproduction

pass on a combination of genetic material to offspring, resulting in increased genetic diversity. Results in a scramble of genes in the population which aids in evolution and protection against disease.

Intersexes

people with an anatomy that appears intermediate between male and female

Natural Selection

process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest

Vervet Monkey Calls

semantics: leopard, snake and eagle: instruct each other based upon which predator is in the vicinity.

effects of crying

severely sad people often react by crying, when you cry your sympathetic nervous system arousal increases therefore it increases tension, it sometimes is used as a way of communicating sadness or distress to someone

Kin Selection

the idea that evolution has selected altruism toward one's close relatives to enhance the survival of mutually shared genes

Neoteny

the physical similarities to human physical structure (humans keep the baby chimpanzee skull form). Retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood

Imprinting

the process by which certain animals form attachments during a critical period very early in life

Positive Psychology

the scientific study of optimal human functioning; aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive

Cognitive theory of emotion (Schachter-Singer)

the theory that the cognitive interpretation of events in the outside world and stimuli from our own bodies is the key factor in emotions

Female choice

traits or behaviors in males that are attractive to females

Sexual Selection

type of natural selection in which members of one sex compete for reproductive access to members of the other sex.

Gender identity

your identity as it is experienced with regard to your individuality as male or female