Week 4: Chapter 6 Genetics, Evolution, and Personality

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Questions and Answers

What is altruism in the context of evolutionary psychology?

Helping others at the expense of one's own well-being. (correct)

Acting in one's own self-interest regardless of others.

Suppressing one's own desires to conform to social norms.

Competing with others for resources.

Why might altruism be considered a biological disadvantage?

It allows selfish genes to dominate the population.

It increases competition between group members.

It can lead to a decrease in reproductive success. (correct)

It promotes individualism over collectivism.

What process describes a shift toward a higher proportion of adaptive alleles in a population?

Gene flow

Genetic drift

Mutation

Directional selection (correct)

Which example illustrates the impact of environmental context on adaptability?

Openness to experience when facing numerous diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens to individual differences in a population if one allele is consistently favored by natural selection?

Differences decrease over generations. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of adaptive value depend on the context?

Environmental shifts can change what traits are considered adaptive. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for the existence of individual differences in traits within a population?

Mutations that create new alleles. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'universal adaptation' refer to in a population?

A characteristic that becomes common due to survival advantages. Signup and view all the answers

What is stabilizing selection primarily responsible for in a population?

Maintaining genetic variability Signup and view all the answers

How do intermediate values of traits contribute to adaptability in traits like sociability?

They balance the extremes of sociability for optimal functioning. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of inclusive fitness help explain in evolutionary biology?

How genetic traits can persist through the survival of relatives. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the support of genetic traits being passed on through altruistic behaviors towards relatives?

Kin selection Signup and view all the answers

Why is genetic variation important for the survival of a population in changing environments?

It provides a broader range of adaptive responses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about personality traits is correct?

Genetic diversity leads to variation in personality traits. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of evolution, what role does altruism play according to the concept of kin selection?

It helps individual genes to be passed on through relatives' survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of having an intermediate level of sociability in humans?

Better adaptation to various social circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of genetics on personality traits?

Genetics and environment both play a role, with genetics influencing broad traits and environment influencing specific behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'nonshared environmental effect'?

Differences in environment that contribute to personality divergence among twins. Signup and view all the answers

How do the heritability of supertraits relate to the heritability of facet traits?

Many facet traits have genetic influences that are separate from their superordinate traits. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to contribute to personality differences in twins who share the same home environment?

Differing roles they develop within their household and social groups. Signup and view all the answers

What concept questions the idea that superordinate traits solely derive from their associated facets?

The exploration of genetic influences on distinct personality qualities. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential source of nonshared environmental influence on personality?

Differing peer groups that may shape individual preferences and traits. Signup and view all the answers

What do findings about the heritability of happiness suggest?

Happiness is influenced by genetic factors related to neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the relationship between temperament and genetically influenced behaviors?

Behaviors that are genetically influenced can often overlap with temperamental characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 6: Genetics, Evolution, and Personality

Twin studies and adoption studies are used to determine genetic influence on personality.
Some personality qualities are genetically influenced.
Two issues in behavioral genetics complicate drawing conclusions: confounding effects of environment and the variability of what is measured.
Molecular genetics and genomics examine specific genes and their roles in human behavior.
Evolutionary processes influenced present-day human behavior in four ways:
- physical adaptations
- social interactions
- mating strategies
- violence
Researchers have found evidence of genetic influences in behavioral problems.
Criticisms of using evolutionary ideas to understand personality include potential bias and lacking clear predictions.
Twin study method involves comparing identical and fraternal twins raised together to assess heritability of traits.

Early Biological Views: Physique and Personality

Hippocrates and Galen proposed four personality types linked to bodily fluids (endomorphy, mesomorphy & ectomorphy).
Kretschmer classified people by body type and linked them to personality disorders.
Sheldon expanded this idea to dimensions related to embryonic layers (endomorphy, mesomorphy & ectomorphy).
These views are reflected in popluar stereotypes, but no longer influential in personality psychology.

Determining Genetic Influence on Personality

Family resemblance is one starting point in determining the importance of heredity.
Behavioral genetics examines the genetic influences of behavioral qualities.
Twin studies enable researchers to assess the heritability of personality characteristics by comparing identical twins with fraternal twins.

Temperaments

Buss and Plomin (1984) defined temperament as an inherited personality trait in early childhood.
Temperaments include activity, sociability, and emotionality.
Later views included approach and avoidance temperaments.

Inheritance of Traits

Twin and adoption studies explored genetic influence on personality traits.
Traits in the five-factor model (such as extraversion and neuroticism) and temperaments have substantial genetic influences.

Environmental Influences

Environment's role is not to make twins alike, but rather to make them different.
Nonshared environments affect individuals in different ways which influences personality

Complications in Behavioral Genetics

Heritability varies with environment.
Genetic and environmental influences are correlated, not independent.

Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Advances in identifying and sequencing gene sequences has led to more detailed understanding of genetic influence on human behavior.
Genotypes that appear at different locations are called alleles.
Variations in gene location are called polymorphisms.
The study attempt to relate gene locations with measurable characteristics is called molecular genetics.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are used to pinpoint gene locations implicated in particular qualities

Evolutionary Influences

Human evolution shaped present-day human behaviors in many ways including in mating strategies and violence.
Genetic variations relate to personality and behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology emphasizes the impact of reproduction and survival on human behavior.

Ethical Issues

Genetic knowledge raises ethical questions for insurance and treatment.
Possible discrimination and bias toward those with certain characteristics.

Behavior Problems

Researchers have found evidence of genetic influence on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Some behaviors are more likely linked to genetics than others.

Mate Choice

Some traits are influenced by genetic similarity.
Men's and women's mating preferences are impacted by evolution.
Men may look for cues of fertility, youth, and resources while women may look for cues of parental care and support.
Assortative mating means people are attracted to those who are similar.

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Description

Explore the connections between genetics, evolution, and personality in this quiz focused on Chapter 6. Discover how twin studies and molecular genetics provide insights into the hereditary influences on behavior. Gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary processes that shape human interactions and personality traits.