Myers PSYCHOLOGY Seventh Edition in Modules Module 5

Myers PSYCHOLOGY Seventh Edition in Modules Module 5 Genetic Influences on Behavior James A. Mc. Cubbin, Ph. D. Clemson University Worth Publishers

Genes: Our Biological Blueprint § Chromosomes § threadlike structures made of DNA that contain the genes § DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) § complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes § has two strands-forming a “double helix”--held together by bonds between pairs of nucleotides

Genes: Our Biological Blueprint § Genes § biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes § a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein § Genome § the complete instructions for making an organism § consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes

Genes: Their Location and Composition Nucleus Cell Chromosome Gene DNA

Evolutionary Psychology § Natural Selection § the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations § Mutation § a random error in gene replication that leads to a change in the sequence of nucleotides § the source of all genetic diversity

Evolutionary Psychology § the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using the principles of natural selection § Gender § in psychology, the characteristics, whether biologically or socially influenced, by which people define male and female

Evolutionary Psychology § Men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health § Women preferred resources and social status

Behavior Genetics § study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior § Environment § every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

Behavior Genetics Identical twins Fraternal twins § Identical Twins § develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms § Fraternal Twins Same sex only Same or opposite sex § develop from separate eggs § genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share the fetal environment

Behavior Genetics § Temperament § a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity § Heritability § the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes § may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied

Behavior Genetics § Interaction § the dependence of the effect of one factor (such as environment) on another factor (such as heredity) § Molecular Genetics § the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes