Nature vs. Nurture. Behavior Genetics The study of the influences of heredity and the environment...

Nature vs. Nurture

• Behavior Genetics– The study of the influences of heredity and the

environment on behavior

– “Nature” vs. “Nurture”

Our genetic influences – inborn traits

Environmental influences (everything non-genetic)

What makes someone…

A superior athlete?


Funny?


Mean, cruel, or evil?


Intelligent?


Brave?


Shy? or outgoing?

Is it “nature”

or “nurture”

?

Adoption Studies

Is the child more like the biological parents (“nature”) or adoptive parents (“nurture”)?

? ?

Twin Studies

Can compare identical twins with fraternal twins

Monozygotic = identical twins (one egg, exact same genetics)

Dizygotic = fraternal twins (two eggs, no more genetically similar than other siblings)

Twin Studies

Can study identical twins separated at birthSame “nature” … different “nurture”

Minnesota Twin Studies

• Dr. Thomas Bouchard & Dr. David Lykken– Conducted famous longitudinal studies on twins at U of M to attempt

to determine which characteristics we inherit (nature) and which we acquire (nurture)

– Included 8,000 pairs of twins born b/w 1936-1955– Hypothesis: Even if identical twins were reared apart, they should exhibit the

same traits in many areas due to the fact that they share 100% of genetic blueprint. Those traits that differed were due to environmental influences.

Nature vs. Nurture. Behavior Genetics The study of the influences of heredity and the environment...

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