Lecture 7 Genes in our bodies

Question 1

“Fat” gene found by scientists

weight of cookies eaten: social, genetic, or control groups

Answer 1

• genetic sig. higher than social and control

- think its ok, cause its genetic– something you can’t control

Question 2

Psychological essentialism

Answer 2

Psychological= universally human, stable stuff (not created by humans)
Essentialism= keeps us united
= has underlying reality that cannot be observed directly
ex. lion, female

Question 3

Thesis

Answer 3

Psychological essentialism–> Genetics communications–> Genetic essentialism Additional mechanisms

Question 4

Essence Placeholder

Answer 4

• immutable (fixed)
• causal
• stable
• innate
• natural
• genes–> as essence placeholder

Question 5

Genetic essentialist biases

Answer 5

• determinism, fixed
• specific etiology
• homogeneity
• naturalness

Question 6

Genetic essentialism and social categorisation

Answer 6

• tend to think race= has essence

- essence being applied where it shouldn’t (social categorisation)