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