Genes and Behaviour

Question 1

Define Behaviour Genetics

Answer 1

The study of how genes and the environment interact with each other to influence psychological characteristics

Question 2

Define Genotype

Answer 2

Genetic makeup of an individual at conception

Question 3

Define Phenotype

Answer 3

An individual’s observable traits

Question 4

Explain and list an example of the term “Monogenetic”

Answer 4

*Interested in one gene, with the traits this gene produces typically falling into distinct categories based on dominant and recessive genes

*Mendelian inheritance/Punnett Squares

Question 5

Explain polygenetic inheritance

Answer 5

*Multiple genes combine to create a single trait
*Traits show continuous variation

Question 6

What is the goal of studying behavioural genetics?

Answer 6

To understand the independent and interactive effects of genes and environments on psychological traits

Question 7

Explain the purpose of family studies and list a limitation

Answer 7

*To find the degree to which trait similarity relates to genetic similarity

*Limitation: Similar environment

Question 8

Explain the purpose of adoption studies and list a limitation

Answer 8

*To find how similar an adopted child’s genetic and environmental traits are to their biological and adopted parents

*Selective placement/Shared genes with adopted parents/Shared environment with biological parents

Question 9

Explain the the findings of monozygotic/dizygotic twins in twin studies

Answer 9

Monozygotic twins - 100% shared genes, difference in environmental traits

Dizygotic twins - 50% shared genes, traits different due to both genes and environment

Question 10

Describe Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
List a limitation

Answer 10

*Looks for variations within multiple people’s DNA that are correlated with a trait

*Needs A LOT of people/differences could be due to chsnce

Question 10

What is a Genome?

Answer 10

A complete sequence of genetic material in an organism

Question 11

Describe concordance

Answer 11

The probability that a pair of individuals will show a trait given that one individual has shown a trait (0 to 1/0% to 100%)

Question 12

Describe heritability

Answer 12

Extent to which differences in traits can be attributed to genetic difference

Question 13

List and describe the genetic influences on the environment

Answer 13

*Passive - Parents pass on genes, shared environment is created that is influenced by traits for the child

*Evocative - Child genetic traits evoke certain responses

*Active - Individuals seek environments compatible with their genetic traits

Question 14

List and describe environmental influences on genetics

Answer 14

*Epigenetics - Gene expression is altered by non-genetic factors

*Reaction Range - Genes allow for potential outcomes and environment determines actual outcome

Question 15

List four research methods/studies of behavioural genetics

Answer 15

Family studies
Adoption studies
Twin studies
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)