Chapter 5 Flashcards
(118 cards)
Identify genes hormones, as well as structure and function of the brain as the causes of observed differences in cognition, behavior, and even gender roles
Biology Theories of Sex
How has the contribution of genes to femininity and masculinity been examined?
By comparing monozygotic twins
What are Monozygotic Twins?
Identical twins sharing 100% of their genes
What are Dizygotic Twins?
Sharing 50% of their genes
What is the theory behind these twin studies?
Is that genes explain the greater similarity in behavior between identical twins compared to fraternal twins.
Study done by Iervolino et al. 2005:
examined 3-4 year old twins and the environmental contribution to sex-typed behavior
Results for the Iervolino et al. 2005 study showed
- There was a greater correspondence among monozygotic than dizygotic twins
- Greater correspondence between dizygotic twins than siblings
What did the results infer?
TF, inferring that both GENETICS and ENVIRONMENT made significant contributions to SEX-TYPED BEHAVIOR
What was the difference in the Iervolino et al. 2005 study when it came to sex?
The genetic contribution was stronger for girls than for boys
Knofo, Iervolino, Plomin (2005) study used same twins; what was the purpose of this study?
To determine the genetic and environmental contribution to GENDER ATYPICAL BEHAVIOR
The results of the Knofo, Iervolino, and Plomin (2005) study?
Genes were said to acct for a moderate amount of variability but ENVIRONMENT was said to account for a SUBSTANTIAL PORTION of variability
What was the genetic component stronger for, boys or girls?
Girls
Besides examining the contribution of genetics and environment to sex-typed behavior, twin studies have also examined?
Heritability of homosexuality
Heritability of homosexuality shows that:
it is higher among monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins
20%-24% compared to 10% or less
What are the chances that both monozygotic twins turn up homosexual?
far from 100%
A question that we should raise is:
whether the environment for the identical twins is really the same as the environment for fraternal twins.
What is a social behavior for which there are clear cut sex differences when it comes to twin studies? Where is the correlation?
Aggression; there is a correlation b/w monozygotic twins than dizygotic twins when it comes to aggressive behavior
A meta-analysis of 51 twin and adoption studies showed:
genetics accounted for 40% of antisocial behavior
What are adoption studies used for?
They are used to est. the contribution of genes to behavior
What do adoption studies compare in order to show the contribution of genes to behavior?
they compare the similarities in behavior between adopted siblings
to the similarities in behavior between
biological siblings
who have been reared apart
Sex-related chromosomal abnormalities also have been linked to?
Aggression
Some studies have shown a configuration among men in prison, what is this configuration?
Higher than avg. proportion of men with XYY configuration (extra Y chromosome)
Is the configuration of the extra Y chromosome in prisoners TF state that all men with the extra Y chromosomes are in fact prisoners?
no, the vast majority of men with the extra Y chromosomes are not prisoners
Boys w/XYY pattern:
are more irritable and have more temper tantrums than boys that do not have this configuration