Download Mod. 14 Notes

UNIT 3
BIOLOGY
Mod. 14: Behavior Genetics—Predicting
Individual Differences
Genes: Our Code for Life
• Behavior Geneticists: study human
differences and weigh the effects and
interplay of heredity and environment
• Environment—external influences
• Genetics: human life…a book with 46 chapters
(chromosomes), 23 from each parent
• DNA: genetic info , makes up chromosome
• Genes : tiny units of DNA, 20,000-25,000
• If active, they are expressed
Genes Cont.
• Genome: instructions for creating an
organism
• Gene sequencing
• Geneticists study gene variations and
how it affects behavior/though/ etc
• Genetic predisposition: genetically
influenced traits help explain both
shared human nature and diversity
Twin and Adoption Studies
• Identical Twins (monozygotic)
• Fraternal Twins (dizgotic)
• Identical twins are basically a clone,
same genes with some slight
variations
Separated Twins
• “Jim” twins…example from your book
• Critics will say while they were separated
they were probably raised in similar
setting and looking for similarities
Biological vs. Adoptive Relatives
• Adopted children are more like their
birth parents in regards to personality
• Adoptive parents influence attitudes,
values, manners, faith, and politics
Molecular Genetics
• Focusing on specific genes that affect
behavior
• Genes interacting
• Looking for risks of disease
Heritability
• The proportion of variation among individuals that we
can attribute to genes
• Varies, depending on populations and environments
being studied
• Measured from 0-1:
• 0 [0%] (low heritability): Influenced by environment
• 1 [100%] (high heritability): Influenced by genes
• E.g.: If the heritability of intelligence in a given population/environment is
40% (moderately low), then genetic influence explains 40% of differences in
intelligence among that specific population
• Herit: Inherit
• Ability: Capability
Genes—Environmental Interaction
• Our genes and environment interact
• Epigenetics: studying gene-
environment interaction