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Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity Chapter 3 1 Nature or Nurture? Behavior Genetics Heredity Environment 2 Behavior Genetics: Genes • Terms to know: – – – – Chromosomes DNA Genes Genome 3 Behavior Genetics: Twin Studies Identical vs. fraternal => Identical more similar Identical separated at birth => many similarities: personality, intelligence, abilities, interests, brain waves, etc. 4 Behavior Genetics: Adoption Studies Adoptees tend to be different from their adoptive parents and siblings. Adoptees’ values, attitudes => adoptive parents Adoptees’ personalities = > biological parents 5 Behavior Genetics: Temperament Studies Temperament refers to a person’s stable emotional reactivity and intensity. Identical twins express similar temperaments, suggesting heredity predisposes temperament. 6 Behavior Genetics: Heritability Heritability: the extent to which the differences among people are attributable to genes (vs. environment). (NOT: Your high IQ is 50% attributable to your parents’ genes) BIG IDEA: Nature and Nurture - Genes are self-regulating (adaptable) - We are products of genetic predispositions & surrounding environments (Naturally outgoing kids receive more attention) The Future: Molecular Genetics Molecular genetics: identifying functions of genes (Issues: designer babies, weeding-out disorders, etc.) Evolutionary Psychology Evolutionary psychology: study of human similarity & the evolution of behavior and mind through natural selection (remember Darwinism?) Biologists like Belyaev and Trut (1999) were able to artificially domesticate wild foxes, selecting them for friendly traits. Any trait that is favored naturally or artificially spreads to future generations. Evolutionary Psychology: Human Traits A number of human traits have resulted from natural selection. Why do infants fear strangers when they become mobile? Why are most parents so passionately devoted to their children? Why do people fear spiders and snakes and not electricity and guns? 10 Evolutionary Psychology: Human Sexuality Gender Differences in Sexuality Differences in males & females arise in regards to reproductive behaviors. (Heterosexual or Homosexual*) Question (summarized) Male Female Casual sex 60% 35% Sex for affection 25% 48% Think about sex everyday 54% 19% 11 Evolutionary Psychology: Mating Preferences Males: select multiple partners => best odds of producing offspring (look for youthful, fertile appearance)* VS. Females: select one, stable partner => best odds of producing offspring (look for maturity, dominance, affluence, boldness)* *Data based on 37 cultures. Nurture: Influences Early Experiences • Prenatal environment • Early postnatal experiences (remember the Rhesus monkeys?) Nurture: Influences Parental Influence • Parental influence is largely genetic. • Parental influence (+ & -) often overemphasized. • Has most influence on: education, discipline, responsibility, charitableness, respect Peer Influence • Conforming to the group • Has most influence on: interacting, cooperation, gaining popularity Nurture: Influences Cultural Influences Culture : behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values and traditions shared by a group (and passed-on) that vary across time & place • Cultural Norms: rules for accepted and expected behavior Can you think of any American cultural norms? Nurture: Influences Culture and the Self Individualism (“I”) vs. Collectivism (“We”) Westernized Cultures Asian-African Cultures Responsible for your self Responsible to group Follow your conscience Priority to obedience Discover your gifts Be true to family-self Be true to yourself Be loyal to your group Be independent Be interdependent Nature and Nurture Gender Development Males Females Nature and Nurture Gender Development 18 Nature and Nurture Gender Development Males Females Y Chromosome Testosterone Solitary Play in large groups Autocratic Support war More arrests Aggressive Antisocial personality disorder Hyperactivity Alcoholism Higher suicide rate Estrogen More talkative More religious Interdependent Play in small groups Democratic* Eating disorders More depression Sense of smell Dream = of men/women Longer life span Earlier puberty More fat Nature and Nurture Gender Roles Gender = Biopsychosocial Gender Identity —how a person views himself or herself in terms of gender. How is this identity formed? 1. Social Learning Theory: we learn gender behavior like any other behavior—reinforcement, punishment, and observation. 2. Gender Schema Theory: we learn a cultural “recipe” of how to be a male or a female, which influences us; forms a “lens” for viewing the world => male or female Reflections on Nature and Nurture 21