Topic 2.1- Adoption Studies (genetic theories)

Question 1

Nature

Answer 1

That genetics determine the behaviour

Question 1

Nurture

Answer 1

That the environment as to which we are raised determines behaviour

Question 2

How are the adoption studies carried out?

Answer 2

A comparison is composed of adopted children to biological and adopted parents

Question 3

Why are adopted children used?

Answer 3

As an adopted child shares the same environment as an adoptive parent but the same genes as the biological parents.

Question 4

Why is it important to know as to whether the adoption has occurred straight after birth?

Answer 4

As the child wouldnt have any influence from prior environments.

Question 5

Mednick et al’s study

Answer 5

.14000 adopted sons in Denmark from 1924-1947
.concordance of 20% from birth parent with adopted child
.concordance of 14.7% from adopted child to adoptive parent

Question 6

Strengths of the studies

Answer 6

.impossible to separate out the influence of genes and environment
.logical, shows importance of nature over nurture
.adoptees more likely to have criminal records if bio parents had records

Question 7

Limitations of the studies

Answer 7

.adopted children often placed in environments similar to those of birth parents
.many children arent adopted immediately after birth, and remain with bio family for some time