Podcast
Questions and Answers
In adoption studies, what is primarily analyzed to determine the influence of genetics on personality?
In adoption studies, what is primarily analyzed to determine the influence of genetics on personality?
- The adoptive parents' socioeconomic status and its impact on the child's personality.
- The correlation between the adopted child's personality scores and their biological parents' scores. (correct)
- The adopted child's academic performance compared to their peers.
- The correlation between the adopted child's personality scores and the adoptive parents' scores.
Which of the following is a major criticism of twin studies when determining the heritability of personality traits?
Which of the following is a major criticism of twin studies when determining the heritability of personality traits?
- Twin studies do not correct for the equal environment assumption. (correct)
- Twin studies do not account for the genetic differences between monozygotic and dizygotic twins.
- Twin studies often overestimate environmental influences due to the equal environment assumption.
- Twin studies typically have excessively large sample sizes, complicating data analysis.
According to findings related to the Five Factor Model (FFM), which personality trait demonstrates the highest average heritability?
According to findings related to the Five Factor Model (FFM), which personality trait demonstrates the highest average heritability?
- Openness to experience (correct)
- Agreeableness
- Neuroticism
- Conscientiousness
Which of the following temperaments is most closely associated with the personality trait of neuroticism?
Which of the following temperaments is most closely associated with the personality trait of neuroticism?
Which personality disorder has been found to have the lowest heritability?
Which personality disorder has been found to have the lowest heritability?
Which characteristic of psychopathy demonstrates high heritability, indicating a significant genetic component?
Which characteristic of psychopathy demonstrates high heritability, indicating a significant genetic component?
What is a potential pitfall of interpreting high heritability estimates for certain personality traits and disorders?
What is a potential pitfall of interpreting high heritability estimates for certain personality traits and disorders?
If a twin study finds that monozygotic twins are significantly more similar in a personality trait than dizygotic twins, what conclusion can be drawn, assuming equal environments?
If a twin study finds that monozygotic twins are significantly more similar in a personality trait than dizygotic twins, what conclusion can be drawn, assuming equal environments?
What is the fundamental distinction that behavioral genetics seeks to determine regarding individual differences in personality?
What is the fundamental distinction that behavioral genetics seeks to determine regarding individual differences in personality?
Which of the following scenarios exemplifies a passive genotype-environment correlation?
Which of the following scenarios exemplifies a passive genotype-environment correlation?
A child who is genetically predisposed to aggression elicits hostile reactions from peers, which in turn reinforces their aggressive tendencies. This is an example of what type of genotype-environment correlation?
A child who is genetically predisposed to aggression elicits hostile reactions from peers, which in turn reinforces their aggressive tendencies. This is an example of what type of genotype-environment correlation?
An individual with a genetic predisposition for thrill-seeking behavior actively pursues extreme sports and high-risk activities. What type of genotype-environment correlation does this represent?
An individual with a genetic predisposition for thrill-seeking behavior actively pursues extreme sports and high-risk activities. What type of genotype-environment correlation does this represent?
The D4DR gene on chromosome 11 has been associated with sensation-seeking behavior. According to the information, what is the proposed mechanism by which this gene influences such behavior?
The D4DR gene on chromosome 11 has been associated with sensation-seeking behavior. According to the information, what is the proposed mechanism by which this gene influences such behavior?
What does 'heritability' specifically measure in the context of behavioral genetics?
What does 'heritability' specifically measure in the context of behavioral genetics?
In behavioral genetics, what does 'environmentality' refer to?
In behavioral genetics, what does 'environmentality' refer to?
Why is it inappropriate to apply behavioral genetics to individuals?
Why is it inappropriate to apply behavioral genetics to individuals?
Flashcards
Behavioral Genetics
Behavioral Genetics
The study of genetic and environmental influences on behavior.
Genotype-Environment Correlation
Genotype-Environment Correlation
The relationship between individual genetic predispositions and their environments.
Heritability
Heritability
The proportion of phenotypic variance in a population attributable to genetic variance.
Environmentality
Environmentality
Signup and view all the flashcards
Twin Studies
Twin Studies
Signup and view all the flashcards
Adoption Studies
Adoption Studies
Signup and view all the flashcards
Passive Genotype-Environment Correlation
Passive Genotype-Environment Correlation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Active Genotype-Environment Correlation
Active Genotype-Environment Correlation
Signup and view all the flashcards
Selective Placement
Selective Placement
Signup and view all the flashcards
Equal Environment Assumption
Equal Environment Assumption
Signup and view all the flashcards
Five Factor Taxonomy (FFT)
Five Factor Taxonomy (FFT)
Signup and view all the flashcards
Heritability of Personality
Heritability of Personality
Signup and view all the flashcards
Temperaments
Temperaments
Signup and view all the flashcards
Heritability of Personality Disorders
Heritability of Personality Disorders
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Evolutionary and Genetic Theories on Personality
- Behavioral Genetics Goals: Reviewing goals, discussing genotype-environment correlations, defining heritability and environmentality, contrasting adoption and twin studies, calculating heritability and environmentality from twin studies, discussing criticisms of adoption and twin studies, and examining the heritability of diverse personality characteristics, temperaments, and disorders.
- Behavioral Influences: Immediate influences examine internal factors like genes and neurochemicals. Goals include determining individual differences due to genetics versus environment. Equations like VP = VG + VE (Variation in personality = Variation in genetics + Variation in environment) are used. Crucially, note that behavioral genetics can only apply to populations, not individuals, due to genotype-environment correlations.
Types of Correlations
- Passive: Parents provide environments that support their children's genetic predispositions.
- Reactive: Children's genetically predisposed behaviors evoke responses from others and create environments.
- Active: Individuals actively seek out environments that support their genetic tendencies (niche picking).
Heritability and Environmentality
- Heritability: Proportion of phenotypic variance (observable characteristic differences) attributable to genotypic variance (genetic makeup). Example: The heritability of aggression is 67%.
- Environmentality: Proportion of phenotypic variance attributable to environmental factors. Example: 62% of observed variance in ambition is due to environmental factors.
Assessing Heritability/Environmentality
- Adoption Studies: Compare adopted children's scores to both their biological and adopted families. Results reflect that biological parents have more influence on personality traits than adoptive parents.
- Twin Studies: Monozygotic (identical) twins share 100% of genes, while dizygotic (fraternal) twins share 50%. Twins are used for heritability calculations.
Criticisms
- Selective placement: Adoption studies don't always account for similarities between adoptive parents and biological parents.
- Equal environment assumption: Twin studies may overestimate heritability if identical twins are treated more similarly than fraternal twins.
Personality Characteristics & Heritability
- High Heritability: Activity level, emotionality, and sociability (temperaments) show high heritability. Personality disorders like antisocial, avoidant, borderline, narcissistic, and obsessive-compulsive also show varying and often high heritability, with figures ranging from ~0.5 to greater than 0.69.
- Personality Domains (e.g., Big Five): Traits like agreeableness, conscientiousness, extroversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience also show significant heritability (with values approximately 0.40 to 0.50).
Psychopathy Heritability
- Psychopathy traits like carefree, coldheartedness, fearlessness, impulsivity, Machiavellianism, and stress immunity, demonstrate a varying degree of heritability.
Conclusion
- Most traits have a heritability in the 0.4-0.6 range, with some traits having higher estimates. Heritability estimates are population-based. It's important to remember that no personality trait is purely genetic or environmental; both factors contribute.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
