EXPLAINING DIFFERENCES/ EXPLAINING SIMILARITIES

NATURE VS NURTURE

QUESTION

If it were possible, would you want to take a genetic test telling you which diseases you are likely to suffer from later in life?

If you or your partner were pregnant- would you want the unborn child tested for genetic defects?

Biological determinism

NATURE WHEN BIOLOGY

DETERMINES CHARACTERISTIC'

S

DOMINANT AND RECESSIVE GENES

The Tower of London 46 Books

23 donated by mother23 donated by fatherBooks are ChromosomesChromosomes made

from dnaGenes are small areas of

dna30,000 genes per

chromosome

DOMINANT VS. RECESSIVE GENES

Dominant genes

Characteristic is always present

Recessive genes

Two recessive genes must be paired in

order for the characteristic to be

present

CONSIDER DOLLY….

Would a human clone’s adult personality mimic the person donating the genetic code? orWould he/she be unique?

HEREDITY=WHEN BIOLOGY DETERMINES CHARACTERISTICS

Genetic Predisposition

Humans are born with a likelihood toward certain characteristics

Does not mean “Born with”

Usually needs something from the environment to activate- (diathesis-stress model)

Common genetic predispositions….body weight-alcoholism-Alzheimer’s-Schizophrenia

Genetic Determinism

• The idea that genes determine characteristics

• Genotype= “full” heredity

• Phenotype= “observed” properties

• Common genetic abnormalities.. Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Color blindness, PKU

HOW DO GENES AND THE ENVIRONMENT INTERACT?

PKU= PhenylketonuriaOccurs when parents pass along a defective gene

How Similar Are We?

How do we know?

The Minnesota Twin Study

IDENTICAL TWINS REARED APART…

Characteristics more similar to biological parents..With some exceptions.. Faith, values, manners, attitude.

ADOPTION STUDIES

YOUR “GENETIC” OR “CORE” OF YOUR PERSONALITY

IS YOUR TEMPERAMENT

•The Easy child •The Difficult child•The Slow-to-warm-up child

What works best?Parent/Child-Goodness-of-fit

“Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you presents determinism; the way you play it is free will.”Nehru

Nurture

THE ENVIRONMENT (AND OUR EXPERIENCES) SHAPE US…

NATURE ENABLES NURTUREAND NURTURE ENABLES NATURE

Critical Period: An important time in development where development needs to happen or it will be delayed or dysfunctional Prenatal influences: German measles, birth defects, teratogens, fetal alcohol syndrome Culture: Establish their own norms

EXPERIENCE AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT… IT’S COMPLICATED

Impoverished Environment

The Somerville Project

Enriched Environment

Abecedarian Project

BIG BOYS DON’T CRY!

HOW DOES NATURE AND NURTURE INTERACT TO DEFINE US AS MALE OR

FEMALE?

Gender Roles

A set of expected behaviors for males and for females

Gender Identity

One’s personal sense of being male or female