Unit 1 Biological Basis of Behavior

Question 1

Heredity

Answer 1

Also known as “nature”, refers to the genetic traits and characteristics we inherit from our biological parents. These are built in factors that can influence how feel, look or behave

Question 2

Environmental factors

Answer 2

Also called “nurture”, environmental factors include all outside influences on our development and behavior. This can be things like our upbringing, education, culture, relationships or life experiences.

Question 3

Nature vs. Nurture

Answer 3

This is the classic debate in psychology about whether our behavior and mental process are shaped more by nature (heredity) or by our environment (nurture). Most psychologists today agree that it’s a mix of both that shape us who we are.

Question 4

Evolutionary Perspective

Answer 4

A way of thinking that explains behavior and mental process in terms of how they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce

Question 5

Natural Selection

Answer 5

The process by which traits that improve survival and reproduction become more common in species over time

Question 6

Eugenics

Answer 6

A controversial and harmful idea that came from misapplying evolutionary theory. It involved trying to improve the human race by controlling who could have children, often through unethical or discriminatory practices

Question 7

Twin Studies

Answer 7

A type of research that compares identical and fraternal twins to understand how much of behavior is influences by genes or the environment. Identical twins have the same genes, so differences are most likely due to the environment

Question 8

Family Studies

Answer 8

Research that looks at patterns of traits or behavior in families to understand how genetics and shared environments affect people.

Question 9

Adoption Studies

Answer 9

Studies that compare adopted children to their biological and adopting parents to separate the effects of genes and environment