1. MyersPSYCHOLOGY (7th Ed)

• Chapter 3

The Nature and Nurture

Of Behavior

James A. McCubbin, PhD

Clemson University

Worth Publishers

2. 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

3. 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

4. Genes: Their Location and Composition Nucleus Chromosome Gene Cell DNA 5. 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

6. 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

7. Evolutionary Psychology

Men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health

Women preferred resources and social status

8. 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

9. Behavior Genetics

Identical Twins

• develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

Fraternal Twins

• develop from separate eggs

• genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share the fetal environment

Identical twins Fraternal twins Same sex only Same or opposite sex 10. Behavior Genetics

Temperament

• a persons 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

11. 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

12. Environmental Influence

Two placental arrangements in identical twins

13. Environmental Influence

Experience affects brain development

Impoverished environment Rat brain cell Rat brain cell Enriched environment 14. Environmental Influence

A trained brain

15. 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

Norm

• an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. The Nature and Nurture of Gender

Gender Role

• a set of expected behaviors for males and females

Gender Identity

• ones sense of being male or female

Gender-typing

• the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

20. The Nature and Nurture of Gender

Gender and Culture

21. The Nature and Nurture of Gender 22. 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

23. The Nature and Nurture of Gender

Two theories of gender typing