Cards for next test Flashcards

1
Q

phrenology

A

studying bumps on the skull; can reveal a persons mental abilities and character traits

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2
Q

localization of function

A

the idea that various brain regions have particular functions

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3
Q

biological psychologists

A

the scientific study of how biology and psychology are related

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4
Q

what do nerve cells do

A

conduct electricity and “talk” to one another by sending chemical messages across a tiny gap that separates them

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5
Q

what does each part of the brain do

A

specific brain systems serve specific functions

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6
Q

what do we do with the information processed from the different brain systems

A

integrate the information to construct our experiences of sights, sounds, meanings, and memories, pain and passion

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7
Q

how is our adaptive brain wired

A

by our experience

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8
Q

biopsychosocial systems

A

are used to understand our behavior, culture, and community; how everything is made up of each other and helps for other things in our body

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9
Q

how do our brains relate to those of animals

A

depends on the animal, but for the most part they all follow the same principles

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10
Q

what is a neuron

A

a nerve cell that acts as a building block for our body’s neural information system

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11
Q

what does a neuron consist of

A

a cell body and its branching fibers

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12
Q

what is a dendrite and what does it do

A

the neurons branching extensions; receive information and conduct toward the cell body

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13
Q

what is an axon and what does it do

A

the lengthy part; passes that message through its terminal branches to other neurons or to muscles or glands

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14
Q

what is the saying for dendrites and axons

A

dendrites listen; axons speak

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15
Q

terminal branches of axon

A

form junctions with other cells

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16
Q

cell body

A

the cell’s life support center

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17
Q

what is the myelin sheath

A

a layer of fatty tissue; covers the axon of some neurons and helps speed neural impulses

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18
Q

what happens if the myelin sheath is damaged

A

multiple sclerosis results

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19
Q

what is multiple sclerosis

A

communication to muscles slows, with eventual loss of muscle control

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20
Q

when do neurons transmit messages

A

when stimulated by signals from our senses or when triggered by chemical signals from other neurons

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21
Q

what is action potential

A

an impulse that a neuron fires; a brief electrical charge that travels down its axon

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22
Q

how do neurons generate electricity

A

from chemical events

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23
Q

what is an ion

A

electrically charged atoms

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24
Q

what does the fluid outside an axons membrane have in regards to ions

A

mostly positively charged ions

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25
Q

what does a resting axons’s fluid interior have in regards to ions

A

mostly negatively charged ions

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26
Q

what is resting potential

A

the positive outside/negative inside state

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27
Q

selectively permeable

A

when the axons surface is very selective about what it allows through its gates

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28
Q

what happens when a neuron fires

A

first section opens its gates, and positively charged sodium ions flood through the cell membrane

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29
Q

what happens when the first sections opens its gate and does all that fun stuff when a neuron fires

A

causes another exon channel to open; the process will continue

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30
Q

depolarize

A

what happens when the neurons fire

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31
Q

refractory period

A

a period of inactivity after a neuron has fired

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32
Q

what happens during a refractory period

A

the neuron pumps the positively charged sodium ions back outside; it can then fire again

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33
Q

excitatory

A

somewhat like pushing a neurons accelerator

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34
Q

inhibitory

A

more like pushing its brake

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35
Q

how is action potential triggered

A

when excitatory signals exceed inhibitory signals then it can happen

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36
Q

what happens to the action potential

A

travels down the axon, which branches into junctions with other neurons and other stuff

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37
Q

threshold

A

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

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38
Q

what is the neurons reaction

A

all or none response

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39
Q

what is an all or none response

A

when a neuron either fires or doesn’t fire; there is no in-between

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40
Q

how do we distinguish a gentle touch from a big hug?

A

a strong stimulus can trigger more neurons to fire, and to fire more often; but it does not affect the action potential’s strength or speed/
squeezing a trigger harder won’t make the bullet go faster

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41
Q

synapse

A

the junction between the axon tip and the dendrite

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42
Q

neurotransmitters

A

chemical messengers

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43
Q

what does the neurotransmitter do

A

its molecules cross the synaptic gap and bind to the side of the receiving neuron (like a key fitting a lock); when it does this ions flow in, allowing it to know that the neuron is ready to fire

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44
Q

what happens to the excess neurotransmitters

A

reabsorbed; called reuptake

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45
Q

what is acetylcholine (ACh)

A

one of the best understood neurotransmitters; plays a role in learning and memory

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46
Q

what is acetylcholine the messenger of

A

junction between motor neurons and skeletal muscles

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47
Q

what happens when ACh is released to our muscle cell receptors

A

the muscle contracts

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48
Q

how do we become paralyzed

A

if ACh transmission is blocked, the muscles cannot contract

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49
Q

what is morphine

A

opiate drug that elevates mood and eases pain

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50
Q

endorphins

A

natural opiate-like neurotransmitter linked to pain control and to pleasure; “morphine within”; like the runners high

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51
Q

dopamine

A

influences movement, learning, attention, and emotion

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52
Q

dopamine malfunctions

A

oversupply linked to schizophrenia; undersupply linked to tremors and decreased mobility in parkinson’s disease

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53
Q

serotonin

A

affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal

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54
Q

serotonin malfunctions

A

undersupply linked to depression (some drugs are sued to raise it)

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55
Q

norepinephrine

A

helps control alertness and arousal

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56
Q

norepinephrine malfunctions

A

undersupply can depress moods

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57
Q

GABA

A

a major inhibitory neurotransmitter

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58
Q

GABA malfunctions

A

undersupply linked to seizures, tremors, and insomnia

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59
Q

glutamate

A

a major excitatory neurotransmitter; involved in memory

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60
Q

glutamate malfunctions

A

oversupply can overstimulate the brain, producing migraines or seizures

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61
Q

if drugs make us feel so good, why not always take them

A

because once the brain is flooded with whatever it is, it may stop producing its own natural opiates; so when the drug is removed the brain may be deprived of its opiates, causing extreme discomfort

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62
Q

what is an agonist

A

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

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63
Q

explain an agonist

A

it is similar enough to a neurotransmitter that it can mimics its effects and create a “high”;/
it can also bind to it because it is similar, but instead block its function

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64
Q

nervous system

A

the body’s speedy; electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems

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65
Q

central nervous system

A

the body’s decision maker; brain and spinal cord

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66
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

responsible for gathering information and for transmitting CNS decisions to other body parts

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67
Q

nerves

A

electrical cables formed of bundles and axons; link the CNS with the body’s sensory receptors, muscles, and glands

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68
Q

how many neurons does the nervous system information travel through

A

three

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69
Q

what are the three ways

A

sensory, motor, inter neurons

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70
Q

sensory neurons

A

carry messages from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

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71
Q

motor neurons

A

carry instructions form the central nervous system out to the body’s muscles and glands

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72
Q

interneurons

A

neurons within the brain and spinal cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory inputs and motor outputs

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73
Q

what nervous system is sympathetic (arousing)

A

peripheral

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74
Q

what nervous system is parasympathetic (calming)

A

central

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75
Q

two components of the nervous system

A

somatic and autonomic

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76
Q

somatic

A

enables voluntary control of our skeletal muscles

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77
Q

autonomic

A

control our glands and the muscles of our internal organs, influencing things like glandular activity, heartbeat, and digestion

78
Q

sympathetic nervous system

A

arouses and expands energy; this can accelerate your heartbeat, raise blood pressure, slow digestion, things like that to make you ready and alert

79
Q

parasympathetic nervous system

A

(when all that stuff is over) produces opposite effects, conserving energy as it calms you by decreasing heartbeat and so on

80
Q

neural networks

A

the brains neurons cluster into work groups called this

81
Q

spinal cord

A

a two-way information highway connecting the peripheral nervous system and the brain

82
Q

what do other groups of cells do together

A

connect with other cells in the neural networks next layer; things like learning an instrument or language occurs as experience strengthens connections (neurons that fire together wire together)

83
Q

describe what goes on with the spinal cord

A

ascending neural fibers send up sensory information, and descending fibers send back motor control information

84
Q

what illustrates the spinal cords work

A

the neural pathways governing our reflexes

85
Q

reflexes

A

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee-jerk response

86
Q

how does information travel to and from the brain

A

by way of the spinal cord

87
Q

endocrine system

A

a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

88
Q

hormones

A

chemical messengers; which travel through the bloodstream and affect other tissues including the brain; when they act they can affect our interest in sex, food, and aggression

89
Q

how fast does the endocrine system work

A

takes a few seconds for things to happen, whereas the the nervous system takes barely any time at all

90
Q

is it good or bad that the endocrine system takes longers

A

can be good because because the messages outlast the effects of neural messages

91
Q

adrenal glands

A

pair of endocrine glands that sit above the kidneys and the epinephrine and norepinephrine that helps arouse the body in times of stress (adrenaline or no adrenaline) (fight or flight)

92
Q

pituitary gland

A

under control of the hypothalamus, regulates growth and control other endocrine glands

93
Q

oxytocin

A

a hormone that the pituitary gland releases; enables contractions associated with birthing, milk flow during nursing, and orgasm/; also related to trust

94
Q

why is the pituitary gland considered the “master gland”

A

responds to signals from the hypothalamus, and then releases hormones that trigger other endocrine glands to secrete hormones that in turn influence the brain and behavior

95
Q

lesion

A

to destroy; what scientists are able to safely do to tiny clusters of brain cells, leaving surrounding areas unharmed

96
Q

how are scientists able to stimulate various parts of the brain and note the effect

A

electrically, chemically, or magnetically

97
Q

electroencephalogram (EEG)

A

an amplified readout of the waves of electrical activity sweeping across the brains surface; are measured by electrodes placed on the scalp (it is like studying a car engine by listening to it)

98
Q

computed tomography scans (CT)

A

examine the brain by taking x-ray photos that can reveal brain damage

99
Q

positon emission tomography (PET)

A

depicts brain activity by showing each brain area’s consumption of its chemical fuel, the sugar glucose (once taken it can show up on these scans and provide hot spots while providing different tasks

100
Q

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue

101
Q

ventricles

A

fluid-filled brain areas

102
Q

functional MRI

A

can revel that brains functioning as well as its structure

103
Q

what is the brains oldest and innermost region

A

the brainstem

104
Q

where does the brainstem begin

A

where the spinal cord sweeps as it enters the skull; it is responsible for automatic survival functions (breathing, heart rate, blood pressure)

105
Q

what is that slight swelling called and what is its function

A

medulla; controls heartbeat and breathing

106
Q

what sits above the medulla

A

the pons

107
Q

what is the pons

A

helped coordinate movements

108
Q

thalamus

A

egg shaped structures that act as the brains sensory control center; all senses except smell

109
Q

reticular formation

A

a nerve network that travels through the brainstem and thalamus and plays an important role in controlling arousal

110
Q

cerebellum

A

processes sensory input, coordinating movement output and balance, and enabling nonverbal learning and memory/;
judge time, modulate our emotions, and discriminate sounds and textures

111
Q

cerebral hemispheres

A

the two halves of the brain

112
Q

limbic system

A

associated with emotions and drives

113
Q

what consists of the limbic system

A

amygdala, hypothalamus, hypocampus

114
Q

what does the hippocampus process

A

conscious memories

115
Q

amygdala

A

linked to aggression and fear; is also related to the processing of emotional memories

116
Q

hypothalamus

A
an important link the command chain governing bodily maintenance/
maintenance activities (eating, drinking, body temperature) helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland, and is linked to emotion and reward/can secrete hormones
117
Q

cerebral cortex

A

ultimate control and information processing center

118
Q

glial cells

A

cells in the nervous system that support, nourish, and protect neurons; can also play a role in leaning and thinking

119
Q

what is each hemispheres cortex subdivided into

A

four lobes, separated by prominent fissures

120
Q

fissures

A

folds

121
Q

frontal lobes (behind forehead)

A

speaking and muscle movements and in making plans and judgements

122
Q

parietal lobes (at the top and to the rear)

A

receives sensory input for touch and body position

123
Q

occipital lobes (back of your head)

A

includes areas that receive information from the visual fields

124
Q

temporal lobes (above the ears)

A

auditory areas, each receiving information primarily from the opposite ear

125
Q

motor cortex

A

an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements

126
Q

somatosensory cortex

A

area at the front of the parietal lobes that registers and processes body touch and movement sensations

127
Q

association areas

A

involved in higher mental functions such as learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking

128
Q

prefrontal cortex

A

enables judgement, planning, and processing of new memories

129
Q

what can damage to frontal lobes do

A

can alter personality and remove a persons inhibitions; with frontal lobes ruptured, people moral compass seems to disconnect from their behavior

130
Q

what would happen with damage to the underside of the right temporal lobe

A

would still be able to describe faces (as its function is) but won’t be able to directly identify someone with a name

131
Q

broca’s area

A

speaking

132
Q

wernicke’s area

A

understanding

133
Q

plasticity

A

ability to modify itself after damage

134
Q

neurogenesis

A

the formation of new neurons

135
Q

corpus callosum

A

large band that connects and carries messages between the left and right hemispheres

136
Q

spit brain

A

isolates the brains two hemispheres by cutting the fibers (mainly those of the corpus callous) connecting them

137
Q

what hemisphere is seeing

A

right

138
Q

what hemisphere is language and speaking

A

left

139
Q

what happens during split brain

A

the left hemisphere is dominant for verbal processing, so they will be able to say what they see on the right side; the right hemisphere cannot share information with the left so the patient is unable to say what he sees, but can draw it

140
Q

left hemisphere

A

speech and calculations

141
Q

right hemisphere

A

things involved with creativity

142
Q

how is the right hemisphere good

A

excels in making inferences, helps us modulate our speech, helps orchestrate our sense of self

143
Q

consciousness

A

our awareness of ourselves and our environment

144
Q

cognitive neuroscience

A

the interdisciplinary study of the brain activity linked with cognition (including perception, thinking, memory, and language)

145
Q

dual processing idea

A

that we are consciously aware of little more than whats on our screen of consciousness; much of the brain works offstage, out of sight

146
Q

dual processing

A

the principle that information is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks

147
Q

blind sight

A

acting as if you can see; cannot consciously see an object that is there, but yet you still know its there and can move around it or things like that

148
Q

visual perception track

A

enables us “to think about the world”-to recognize things and plan future actions

149
Q

visual action track

A

guides our moment to moment movements

150
Q

mind processes on two separate tracks…

A

one operating at an explicit , conscious level/

the other at an implicit, unconscious level; both affect our perception, memory, attitudes, and other cognitions

151
Q

when do we start fearing human

A

about 8 months old

152
Q

behavior genetics

A

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

153
Q

environment

A

every external influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us

154
Q

chromosomes

A

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

155
Q

how many chromosomes do we get from each of our parents

A

23 each

156
Q

what is DNA

A

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

157
Q

genes

A

small segments go the giant DNA molecules/

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

158
Q

what do environmental events do to genes

A

“turn on”; when turned on they provide the code for creating protein molecules

159
Q

protein molecules

A

the boys building blocks

160
Q

genome

A

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

161
Q

what do our genetic predispositions do

A

help explain both our shared human nature and our human diversity

162
Q

genetic predispositions

A

our genetically influenced traits

163
Q

identical twins

A

develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two

164
Q

facts about identical twins

A

although they may have the same genes, they may not have the same number of copies of those genes, meaning one twin may be more at risk for a disease than another/
most identical twins share a placenta but if they don’t then that explains why some can be different because one placenta can offer more nourishment than the other which alters different things

165
Q

fraternal twins

A

develop from separate fertilized eggs; genetically no more similar than ordinary brothers and sisters

166
Q

what twins are more similar in regards to extraversion (outgoingness) and neuroticism (emotional instability)

A

identical twins

167
Q

divorce thing with twins

A

if you have a fraternal twin who has divorced, you are 1.6 more times likely to become divorced as well;/
if you have an identical twin who has divorced then you are 5.5 more times likely to become divorced too

168
Q

similarities after being separated at birth for twins

A

identical twins will continue to be very much alike; while fraternal twins, although alike, do not exhibit similarities comparable to those of separated identical twins

169
Q

genetic relatives

A

biological parents and siblings

170
Q

environmental relatives

A

adoptive parents and siblings

171
Q

results in regards to environment and adopted children

A

the environment shared by a family’s children has virtually no discernible impact on their personalities

172
Q

molecular genetics

A

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

173
Q

heritability

A

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

174
Q

analogy to remember gene-environment interaction

A

genes and environment–nature and nurture–work together like two hands clapping

175
Q

interact

A

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

176
Q

epigenetics

A

study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without DNA change

177
Q

what effect dies shared family environments play

A

have little effect on personality, and the stability of personality suggests a genetic predisposition

178
Q

how does environment playa role in genetics

A

genetic predispositions and our surrounding environments interact which can then trigger gene activity, and genetically influenced traits can evoke responses from others

179
Q

natural selections

A

the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on two succeeding generations

180
Q

evolutionary psychology

A

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

181
Q

mutations

A

random errors in gene replication

182
Q

how are we predisposed to live

A

we share a genetic legacy so we are predisposed to behave in ways that promoted our ancestor’s surviving and reproducing

183
Q

who tends to have a more recreational view of sexual activity

A

men; women have a relational view

184
Q

why do men go coo coo for cocoa puffs involving women

A

mets attraction to multiple healthy, fertile-appearing partners increases their chances of spreading their genes widely

185
Q

what do women look for in men

A

try to increase their own and their children’s chances of survival by searching for mates with eh potential for long term investment in their joint offspring

186
Q

what do critics of evolutionary psychologists say

A

start with an effect and work backward for an explanation;/
do not recognize social and cultural influences;/
absolve people from taking responsibility for their sexual behavior

187
Q

genome

A

individual variations; prenatal environment; and sex related genes, hormones, and physiology

188
Q

social culture influences

A

parental and peer; cultural traditions and values’ and cultural gender norms

189
Q

natural selection parts (4)

A

organisms’ varied offspring compete for survival/
certain biological and behavioral variations increase an organism’s reproductive and survival chances in a particular environment/
offspring that survive are more likely to pass their genes to ensuing generations/
over time, population characteristics may change

190
Q

major influences on individual development

A

results from interaction of biological, psychological, and social cultural influences