Chapter 4

Question 1

Behavior Genetics

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Heredity

Answer 2

The genetic transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Question 3

Genes

Answer 3

The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; small segments of DNA capable of synthesizing proteins.

Question 4

Genome

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Identical Twin Differences

Answer 5

1. Don’t always have the same number of copies of genes
2. Sometimes differ in their brains tiny wiring structures
3. If the twins split into two placentas, one may provide better nourishment than the other

Question 6

Separated Twins

Answer 6

Identical twins that were separated at birth still share many of the same traits and personality.

Question 7

Genetic Relatives

Answer 7

Biological parents and siblings

Question 8

Envriomental Relatives

Answer 8

Adoptive parents and siblings

Question 9

Adopted Child Facts

Answer 9

1. An adopted child more resembles their biological family personality wise than their environmental relatives
2. Adopted families do influence their children’s attitudes, values, manners, politics, education, and faith. Just not personality or temperament.
3. Most adopted children benefit from adoption, because adoptive families tend to use gentler parenting, give more guidance, and experience less depression.

Question 10

Temperament

Answer 10

A person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity that is genetically influenced and lifelong.

Question 11

Heritability

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Molecular Genetics

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Molecular Behavior Genetics

Answer 13

The study of how the structure and function of genes interact with our environment to influence behavior.

Question 14

Epigenetics

Answer 14

The study of the molecular mechanisms by which environments can influence gene expression without a DNA change.

Question 15

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Natural Selection

Answer 16

The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

Question 17

Mutations

Answer 17

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change.

Question 18

Similarities Through Evolutionary Success

Answer 18

We are genetically predisposed to think and act in ways that promoted our biological ancestors’ survival and reproduction.

Question 19

Female Preferences Due to Natural Selection

Answer 19

Females prefer loyal and healthy men, because they have produced the best offspring in the past. Females care more because they have a larger stake in the reproductive process. They care more about personality than about looks, because they need a partner who will care for their child with them.

Question 20

Male Preferences Due to Natural Selection

Answer 20

Men prefer women who they believe will make a good offspring, ones that are beautiful and convey health and fertility. They don’t have as much stake in te reproductive process, so they don’t care as much about personality.

Question 21

Critiques in the Evolutionary Perspecive

Answer 21

1. Evolutionary psychologists can come up with an explanation for anything
2. We can’t use our ancestors actions to explain today’s feelings
3. We are not hardwired to certain behaviors

Question 22

Social Scripts

Answer 22

A culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations.

Question 23

The Goal of Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 23

To explain behaviors and mental traits by offering testable predictions using principles of natural selection.

Question 24

Parenting Effect on Development

Answer 24

Parents do not have much effect in the development process, unless they touch on the extremes.

Question 25

Peer Effect on Development

Answer 25

Peers will greatly influence children in their decisions and behaviors.

Question 26

Culture

Answer 26

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 27

Culture Shock

Answer 27

When we don’t know/understand what’s expected or accepted in a culture.

Question 28

Norms

Answer 28

An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior.

Question 29

Individualism

Answer 29

Giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.

Question 30

Collectivism

Answer 30

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group and defining one’s identity accordingly.

Question 31

Gender vs. Sex

Answer 31

Sex is preassigned at birth, while gender is chosen by a person.

Question 32

Intersex

Answer 32

Possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth.

Question 33

Aggression

Answer 33

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or mentally. Men tend to experience this more.

Question 34

Relational Aggression

Answer 34

An act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing. Women are more likely to experience.

Question 35

Social Power

Answer 35

Men are perceived to have more social power and are associated with negotiation.

Question 36

Social Connectedness

Answer 36

Males tend to be more independent while females tend to be more interdependent.

Question 37

Biological Influences on Gender

Answer 37

We have differing sex chromosomes and differing concentrations of sex chromosomes.

Question 38

Testoterone

Answer 38

The most important male sex hormone. Males and females both have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.

Question 39

Estrogens

Answer 39

Sex hormones, such as estradiol, that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than by males.

Question 40

Primary Sex Characteristics

Answer 40

The body’s structures that make sexual reproduction possible.

Question 41

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Answer 41

Non-reproductive sexual traits.

Question 42

Spermarche

Answer 42

The first ejaculation.

Question 43

Menarche

Answer 43

The first menstrual period.

Question 44

Sexual Development Variations

Answer 44

Anything other than XX or XY can cause sterility or infertility.

Question 45

Gender Roles

Answer 45

A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for women/men.

Question 46

Sexual Aggression

Answer 46

Any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally.

Question 47

Gender Identity

Answer 47

Our sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination.

Question 48

Social Learning Theory

Answer 48

The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished. This assumes we acquire some identity in childhood.

Question 49

Gender Typing

Answer 49

The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.

Question 50

Androgyny

Answer 50

Displaying both traditionally masculine and feminine psychological characteristics. These people tend to be more resilient and self-accepting.

Question 51

Transgender

Answer 51

An umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from their birth assigned sex.