Ch. 2 Biological and Environmental Foundations

Genetic Foundations

Chromosomes - store and transmit genetic information Genes - segments of DNA located along the chromosomes DNA - substance of which genes and chromosomes are made. Humans are made up of cells, cells contain nuclei that house chromosomes, There are 23 matching pairs of chromosomes this excludes the final or 23rd pair which determines biological sex and may be XX (female) or XY (male) Chromosomes are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), segments of this DNA are referred to as genes, through the process of mitosis, DNA can duplicate itself

Epigenetics

Environmental influences on gene expression -bidirectional nature - genes affect people's behavior and experiences, but experiences and behavior also affect gene expression -Epigenesis - development resulting from ongoing, bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment -The epigenetic framework - development takes place through ongoing, bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment. Genes affect behavior and experiences. Experiences and behavior also affect gene expression -importance of kangaroo care -methylation/acetylation w/histones on DNA

Environmental influences on development

Family Socioeconomic Status and Family Functioning Affluences - might have money and good jobs but don't have time to engage in family interactions Poverty Neighborhoods, Towns, and Cities Cultural Context

SES

Family interactions, parenting styles and value systems with regard to child rearing change as SES changes

Genetic-Environment Correlation

GEC- our genes influence the environment to which we are exposed Passive Correlation- common @ younger ages; a child has no control over the environment to which they are exposed to Evocative Correlation- children evoke responses that are influenced by the child's heredity, and these responses strengthen the child;s original style- active friendly babies and social interactions Active correlation- common @ older ages; as children extend their experiences beyond the immediate family and are given the freedom to make more choices, they actively seek environments that fit with their genetic tendencies- niche-picking- the tendency to choose environments that complement our heredity, musically talents and band/choir

Mitosis

Mitosis- duplicate itself through this process Permits one-celled fertilized ovum to develop into a complex human being composed of multiple cells. During mitosis chromosomes copy themselves, as a result each new body cell contains the same # of chromosomes and genetic information The 46 chromosomes, note the 23rd pair determines biological sex (this individual is a male - XY chromosome)

In vitro fertilization

Reproductive Technology a woman is given hormones that stimulate the ripening of several ova. These are removed surgically and places in a dish of nutrients, to which sperm are added. Once an ovum is fertilized and begins to duplicate into several cells, it is injected into the mother's uterus. used in woman who's fallopian tubes are permanently damaged

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Social Status- - years of education - job prestige and skill required Economic Status - income

High SES

Value- curiosity, happiness, cognitive/social maturity Family interactions: parents higher SES talk to, read tom and stimulate their infants and preschoolers more. When their children are older, higher-SES parents use more warmth, explanations and verbal praise.

Low SES

Value- obedience, politeness, cleanliness SES affects the times and duration of phases of family life cycle. People who work in skilled and semiskilled manual occupations (ex. construction or custodians) tend to marry and have children earlier and have more kids than ppl with professional technical occupations Commands "You do that b/c I told you to" criticism, and physical punishment

Heritability estimate

measure the extent to which individual differences in complex traits in a specific population are due to genetic factors -most mental health diagnoses have a heritability rate of .5 these rates are obtain from kinship studies: compare the characteristics of family members -portion of individual differences attributes to genetics -ranges from 0 to 1.00