Ch. 2 Definitions

Question 1

Natural selection

Answer 1

Evolutionary process where those best adapted to environment survive and reproduce

Question 2

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 2

Emphasizes importance of adaptation, reproduction, and survival of the fittest in shaping behavior

Question 3

Chromosomes

Answer 3

Threadlike structures made of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Question 4

DNA

Answer 4

A complex molecule that has a double helix shape and contains genetic information

Question 5

Genes

Answer 5

Units of hereditary information composed of DNA, helping cells reproduce themselves and assemble proteins that direct body processes

Question 6

Mitosis

Answer 6

Cellular reproduction in which cell’s nucleus duplicates itself

Question 7

Meiosis

Answer 7

Specialized form of cell division to form egg or sperm (gametes)

Question 8

Fertilization

Answer 8

Stage of reproduction in which egg and sperm fuse to create a single cell (zygote)

Question 9

Genotype

Answer 9

All of a person’s actual genetic material

Question 10

Phenotype

Answer 10

Observable and measurable characteristics of an individual (height, hair color, intelligence)

Question 11

Down syndrome

Answer 11

Chromosomally transmitted form of intellectual disability caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21

Question 12

Klinefelter syndrome

Answer 12

Chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra X chromosome

Question 13

Fragile X Syndrome

Answer 13

Chromosomal disorder involving abnormality in X chromosome

Question 14

Turner syndrome

Answer 14

Chromosomal disorder in females affecting X chromosome (missing/partially deleted)

Question 15

XYY Syndrome

Answer 15

Chromosomal disorder in males having XYY

Question 16

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Answer 16

Genetic disorder preventing metabolization of amino acid (intellectual disability and hyperactivity)

Question 17

Sickle-cell anemia

Answer 17

Genetic disorder affecting red blood cells (most often in African Americans)

Question 18

Behavior genetics

Answer 18

Field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity/environment on human traits/development

Question 19

Twin study

Answer 19

Behavioral similarity of identical twins compared with behavioral similarities of fraternal twins

Question 20

Adoption study

Answer 20

Discover whether behavioral and psychological characteristics more like adoptive/bio parents (or: adopted/bio siblings)

Question 21

Passive genotype-environment correlations

Answer 21

Exist when the bio parents provide a rearing environment for child

Question 22

Evocative genotype-environment correlations

Answer 22

Exist when child’s characteristics elicit certain types of environments

Question 23

Active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations

Answer 23

Exist when children seek out environments they find compatible and stimulating

Question 24

Epigenetic view

Answer 24

Emphasizes that development is the result of an ongoing, bidirectional interchange between heredity and environment

Question 25

Gene X Environment (GXE) interaction

Answer 25

Interaction between specific measured variation in DNA / specific measured aspect of the environment

Question 26

Germinal period

Answer 26

Period of prenatal development in the first two weeks after conception, including creation of zygote, continued cell division, attachment of zygote to the wall of the uterus

Question 27

Embryonic period

Answer 27

Period of prenatal development that occurs from 2-8 weeks after conception; rate of cell differentiation intensified, support systems for cells form, and organs appear

Question 28

Organogenesis

Answer 28

Process of organ formation in first 2 months of prenatal development

Question 29

Fetal period

Answer 29

From 2-9ish months, development continues dramatically

Question 30

Neurons

Answer 30

Nerve cells that handle information processing at the cellular level

Question 31

Teratogen

Answer 31

Any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive/behavioral outcomes

Question 32

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Answer 32

Cluster of abnormalities that may appear in offspring of mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy

Question 33

Doula

Answer 33

Caregiver who provides continuous physical, emotional, educational support for the mother before/during/after childbirth

Question 34

Natural childbirth

Answer 34

Childbirth method that attempts to reduce mother’s pain by decreasing fear through education about childbirth and relaxation techniques

Question 35

Prepared childbirth

Answer 35

Strategy similar to natural childbirth teaching special breathing technique to control pushing in final stage of labor including details about anatomy and physiology (developed by Lamaze)

Question 36

Apgar scale

Answer 36

Widely used method to assess newborns at one and five minutes after birth (heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, body color, reflex irritability)

Question 37

Low birth weight infants

Answer 37

Less that 5.5 pounds at birth

Question 38

Preterm infants

Answer 38

Born early by 3 weeks or more

Question 39

Small for date/gestational age

Answer 39

Birth weight below 90% of all babies of same gestational age

Question 40

Kangaroo care

Answer 40

Skin to skin contact (NICU and infant)

Question 41

Bonding

Answer 41

Formation of a close connection/physical bond shortly after birth

Question 42

Postpartum period

Answer 42

After childbirth when mother adjusts physically/psychologically to process of childbirth (at least 6 weeks)

Question 43

Postpartum depression

Answer 43

Major depressive episode ~4 weeks after delivery; strong feelings of sadness, anxiety, despair affecting daily tasks