Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY For AP

1. Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY For AP Unit 3C The Nature and Nurture Of Behavior

2. 3 BIG Questions • How does genetic inheritance (our nature) and experience (nurture) influence our development? • Continuity versus stages of development? • Stability versus Change…do our personalities change as we age?

3. 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

4. TestYour Knowledge If chromosomes are books of heredity – the words are _______________ and the letters are ___________________. Sperm is to cell as DNA is to _____________.

5. 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 • Molecular geneticists are most interested in studying nucleotide sequences…human genetic diversity consists of differences in our nuclotides.

6. Nucleus Chromosome Gene Cell DNA Genes: Their Location and Composition

7. 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 • Mutations • random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the sequence of nucleotides • the source of all genetic diversity

8. Evolutionary Psychology • 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

9. Evolutionary Psychology Con’t • EP is not about how one species evolves into another species over time BUT is about how genetics and environment interact leading to in genetics to fit the environment. • Traits leading to survival are likely to be assed along. • Predisposed to love our children, fear animals, select healthy mates etc.

10. Criticisms of EP • Evolution does not imply genetic determinism. • Behavior can be changed. • Does not assume that organisms can compute complex math problems/formulas. • Current adaptive mechanisms in humans are not optimally designed.

11. Evolutionary Psychology • Men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health • Women preferred resources and social status

12. Behavior Genetics • 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

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

14. Twins • Fraternal twins are on the rise… • Fertility drugs like Clomid • Women are waiting longer to have children • Identical twins share the 100% the same genes but can have different phenotypes… • Phenotype is how a gene expresses itself. • ie…mirror twins – differences in heritability Personality & Interests. • Sweden has the largest twin registry.

15. 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

16. Heritability Continued • “Herit” part of inherit – possess something that someone has given to you. • Ability – suffix meaning “capable” – genetically passed on – it is capable of showing up in children of those who possess that quality • ie. parent to child

17. Behavior Genetics • Interaction • the dependence of the effect of one factor (such as environment) on another factor (such as heredity) • Example – people who are judged s attractive physically are more likely to get a job or promotion over someone who is less attractive. • Molecular Genetics • the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes

18. Environmental Influence • Two placental arrangements in identical twins

19. Rat brain cell Impoverished environment Rat brain cell Enriched environment Environmental Influence • Experience affects brain development

20. Environmental Influence • A trained brain

21. Environmental Influence • Culture • the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next • Peer influence – slang, food and fashion preferences • Parental influence - are most influential when it comes to values, political beliefs and manners. • Norm • an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior

22. Environmental Influence • Personal Space • the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies • Memes • self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person

23. The Nature and Nurture of Gender • X Chromosome • the sex chromosome found in both men and women • females have two; males have one • an X chromosome from each parent produces a female child • Y Chromosome • the sex chromosome found only in men • when paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child

24. Sex Linked Traits • Sex linked traits are passed to child fro mother through X chromosome. • Usually recessive so when father passes along another X (female), his chromosome dominates the recessive gene. • Most sex linked traits are exhibited in males because there’s only one X • ie. colourblindeness

25. The Nature and Nurture of Gender • Testosterone • the most important of the male sex hormones • both males and females have it • additional testosterone in males stimulates • growth of male sex organs in the fetus • development of male sex characteristics during puberty • Role • a set of expectations (norms) about a social position • defining how those in the position ought to behave

26. The Nature and Nurture of Gender • Gender Role • a set of expected behaviors for males and females • Gender Identity • one’s sense of being male or female • Gender-typing • the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

27. The Nature and Nurture of Gender • Gender and Culture

28. The Nature and Nurture of Gender

29. The Nature and Nurture of Gender • Social Learning Theory • theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished • Gender Schema Theory • theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly

30. The Nature and Nurture of Gender • Two theories of gender typing