Unit 3C:�Biological Bases of Behavior:�Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and Behavior

Unit Overview

• Behavior Genetics: Predicting Individual Differences
• Evolutionary Psychology: Understanding Human Nature
• Reflections on Nature and Nurture

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Behavior Genetics: Predicting Individual Differences

Introduction�

• Behavior genetics
• Heredity versus the environment

Genes: Our Codes for Life�

• Chromosome
• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
• Genes
• Active (expressed) vs. inactive
• Genome

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

• Identical twins
• Fraternal twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Identical Versus Fraternal Twins

Twin and Adoption Studies�Separated Twins

• U of MN studies on identical twins separated at birth

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Twin and Adoption Studies�Biological Versus Adoptive Relatives

• Genetic relatives
• Environmental relatives

Heritability�

• Heritability
• “difference among people”

Heritability�Nature and Nurture

• Influence of adaptation
• Nature and nurture work together

Gene-Environment Interaction�

• Genes and experience interact

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Evolutionary Psychology: Understanding Human Nature

Natural Selection and Adaptation�

• Evolutionary psychology
• Natural selection
• Mutation
• Adaptation
• Fitness

Evolutionary Success Helps Explain Similarities

• Behaviors that contribute to survival are found throughout cultures

Evolutionary Success Helps Explain Similarities�Outdated Tendencies

• Genetic traits which helped our ancestors survive may harm us today

An Evolutionary Explanation of Human Sexuality�Gender Differences in Sexuality

• Studies suggesting men have a stronger tendency towards sex

An Evolutionary Explanation of Human Sexuality�Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

• Differing preferences in partners
• Male preferences
• Female preferences

Critiquing the Evolutionary Perspective

• Backward theorizing
• Impact of social influence

Reflections on Nature and Nurture

The End

Teacher Information

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Teacher Information

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Teacher Information

• Continuity slides
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• Please feel free to contact me at kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us with any questions, concerns, suggestions, etc. regarding these presentations.

Kent Korek

Germantown High School

Germantown, WI 53022

262-253-3400

kkorek@germantown.k12.wi.us

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Definition Slide

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Definition Slides

Behavior genetics

= the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.

Environment

= every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us.

Chromosomes

= threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

= a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Genes

= the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; segments of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein.

Genome

= the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism’s chromosomes.

Identical Twins

= twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.

Fraternal Twins

= twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

Heritability

= the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied.

Interaction

= the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity).

Molecular Genetics

= the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes.

Evolutionary Psychology

= the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind,using principles of natural selection.

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

= the random error in gene replication that leads to a change.