Evolutionary Psychology Flashcards
(32 cards)
Homology and Convergence
Homology means the evolution of the same structure (similar features) in species evolved from ancestors. Convergent means two or more distinct species share traits but do not come from the common ancestors.
Homologous structures:
Similar structure, Differing function, from a common ancestor
Analogous Structures:
Differing structure, similar function, not from common ancestors
Homology develops homologous structures while convergent evolution develops analogous structure
4 Things Natural Selection requires
Variation
Heritable (mutation)
Design differences
Competition
Difference between domain general and specific cognition (Types of Intelligence)
Domain specific - specific to a particular domain
Domain General - two senses : range of context ; integrates information across different domains.
Genotype
(What is inherited) -nature
The set of DNA molecule contained in nucleus
A genotype particular to a trait
Phenotype
(What develops) - observable trait that develops due to nature or nurture.
- An organism’s physiology, anatomy, behaviour
Chromosome
Is the strand of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in the nucleus of the cell.
Gene
A section of DNA that codifies specific protein.
Allele
Different (alternative) forms of the same genes (different traits). Can be dominant or recessive.
Locus
Position of a gene on a chromosome
Homozygous
When an organism possesses 2 identical alleles for a particular trait.
Heterozygous
When an organism possesses 2 different alleles for a particular trait.
Dominant
An allele that manifests its effects in both heterozygotes and homozygotes. (Has the dominant effect over recessive (even being single)). - The CAPITAL
Recessive
An allele that only manifests an effect in homozygotes (when double recessive allele)
The small
Polygenic Inheritance
A trait whose phenotypic expression is influenced by many genes. (Psychological traits)
Maturation
The process that produces genetically programmed changes with increasing age.
Heritability
Heritability is a measure of how well differences in people’s genes account for the differences in their traits. Trait can include characteristics such as height, eye colour, and intelligence, as well as disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.
H2 = how much of the variation in a given trait can be attributed to genetic variation.
0-1 range
0= environmental trait
1= traits coming from genetic differences
Assumes additivity that the genotype and environment “add up” the same way in all situations
Monozygotic
Identical (fertilisation of one egg splitting in two)
Dizygotic
Unidentical twin - two separated egg fertilised during pregnancy.
Flynn effect
The tendency of IQ to change overtime, specifically, the apparent increase in intelligence in the general population evidenced by a steady increase in IQ scores. NOTICED by James Flynn
Maliability
Hh
Nature and Nurture.
Nature is a phenotype, or trait that naturally and genetically existed in a creature. Nurture is where the trait is developed and affected by the environment.
IQ in Psychology
Questions whether IQ is heritably genetic. Herrnstein & Murray argues that the major differences between ethnic group affects the classes in IQ - IQ is heritable and cannot be changed Therefore concluding that ethnic and class differences are genetic and cannot or should not be changed.
WEIRD society
Western, Educational, Industrial, Rich, Democratic
Explain why culture matters to psychologists
Culture matters to psychology as it is the core identity of a person, their belief, value and the way they interpret or see the world. Understanding culture is the key to understanding what aid one creature or human requires.
