A. Perspectives on Nature and Nurture (5%) Flashcards
(23 cards)
Quantitative study of relative hereditary and environmental influences on behavior.
Behavioral genetics
Statistical estimate of contribution of heredity to individual differences in a specific trait within a given population.
Heritability
Term describing tendency of twins to share the same trait or disorder.
concordant
Potential variability, depending on environmental conditions, in the expression of a hereditary trait.
reaction range
Limitation on variance of expression of certain inherited characteristics.
canalization
The portion of phenotypic variation that results from the reactions of genetically different individuals to similar environmental conditions.
genotype-environment interaction
Tendency of certain genetic and environmental influences to reinforce each other; may be passive, reactive ( evocative), or active. Also called genotype-environment covariance.
genotype-environment correlation
Parents, who provide the genes that predispose a child toward a trait, also tend to provide an environment that encourages the development of that trait.
For example, a musical parent is likely to create a home environment in which music is heard regularly, to give a child music lessons, and to take the child to musical events.
Passive correlations
Children with differing genetic makeups evoke different reactions from others.
Children with differing genetic makeups evoke different reactions from others. For example, parents who are not musically inclined may make a special effort to provide musical experiences for a child who shows interest and ability in music. This response, in turn, strengthens the child’s genetic inclination toward music.
Reactive, or evocative, correlations
As children get older and have more freedom to choose their own activities and environments, they actively select or create experiences
consistent with their genetic tendencies.
Active correlations
The unique environment in which each child grows up, consisting of distinctive influences or influences that affect one child differently than another.
nonshared environmental effects
Characteristic disposition, or style of
approaching and reacting to situations.
temperament
The period between conception and birth, an unborn child undergoes dramatic processes of development.
gestation
It is usually dated from the first day of an expectant mother’s last menstrual cycle.
gestational age
from fertilization to about 2 weeks of gestational age, the zygote divides, becomes more complex, and is implanted in the wall of the uterus.
germinal stage
The attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall, occurring at about day 6.
implantation
from about 2 to 8 weeks, the organs and major body systems respiratory, digestive, and nervous develop
rapidly.
embryonic stage
Natural expulsion from the uterus of an embryo that cannot survive outside the womb; also called miscarriage.
spontaneous abortion
Final stage of gestation (from 8 weeks to birth), characterized by increased differentiation of body parts and greatly enlarged body size.
fetal stage
Prenatal medical procedure using
high-frequency sound waves to detect the outline of a fetus and its movements, so as to determine whether a pregnancy is progressing normally.
ultrasound
Environmental agent, such as a virus, a drug, or radiation, that can interfere with normal prenatal development and cause developmental abnormalities.
teratogen
Combination of mental, motor, and developmental abnormalities affecting the off spring of some women who drink heavily during pregnancy.
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Viral disease that undermines effective functioning of the immune system.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
