chapter 2 Biological beginnings Flashcards
evolutionary psychology
Emphasises the importance of adaption, reproduction and ‘survival of the fittest’ in shaping behaviour.
chromosomes
Threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, one member of each pair coming from each parent. Chromosomes are made up of the genetic substance DNA.
DNA
A complex molecule that contains genetic information; DNA is organised into chromosomes.
genes
Units of hereditary information formed by segments of DNA. Genes direct cells to reproduce themselves and manufacture the proteins that maintain life
mitosis
Celluar reproduction in which the cells nucleus duplicates itself with two new cells being formed, each conatining the same DNA as the parent cell, arranged in the same 23 pairs of chromosomes
meiosis
A specialised form of cell division that occurs to form ova and sperm ( or gametes)
fertilisation
A stage in reproduction whereby an ovum and a sperm fuse to create a single cell, called a zygote
zygote
A single cell formed through fertilisation
genotype
A persons genetic heritage; the actual genetic material
phenotype
The way an individuals genotype is expressed in observable and frequently measurable characteristics.
sickle cell disease
A genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells and occurs most often in people of African decent
Klinefelters syndrome
A chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra X chromosome, which becomes constricted and often breaks.
fraglie X syndrome
A genetic disorder involving an abnormality in the X chromosome, which becomes constricted and often breaks
Turners syndrome
A chromosome disorder in females in which either an X chromosome is missing, making the person XO instead of XX, or the second X chromosome is partially deleted
XY syndrome
A chromeosomal disorder in which males have an extra Y chromosome
phenylketonuria (PKU)
A genetic disorder in which an individual cannot properly metablolise an amino acid. PKU is now easily detected but, if left untreated, results in an itellectiual disability and hyperactivity.
behaviour genetics
The filed that seeks to discover the influance of heredity and environment on individual difference in human traits and development
twin study
A study in which the behavioural similarity of identical twins is compared with the behaviour similarity of fraternal twins
adoption study
A study in which investorgators seek to discover whetgher, in behaviour and psychological characteristics, adopted children are more like their adoptive partents, who provided a home enviroment, or more like their biological parents, who contributed their heredity. Another form of the adoption study is to compare adoptive and biological siblings
passive genotype-environment correlations
Correlations that exist when natural parents, who are genetically related to the child, provide a rearing environment for the child.
evocative genotype-environmnet correlations
Correlations that exist when the chiklds genotype elictis certain types of physical and social environments
active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations
Correlations that exist when children seek out environments they find compatible and stimulating
Shared environmental experiences
Siblings common environmental experiences, such as their parents personalities and intellectual orientation, the family’s socioeconmoic status and the neighbourhood in which they live.
non-shared environmental experiences
The childs own unique experiences, both within the family and outside of the family, that are not shared by another sibling. Thus, experiences occuring within the family can be a part of the non shared environment
