Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is altruism in the context of evolutionary psychology?
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?
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?
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?
Which example illustrates the impact of environmental context on adaptability?
What typically happens to individual differences in a population if one allele is consistently favored by natural selection?
What typically happens to individual differences in a population if one allele is consistently favored by natural selection?
How does the concept of adaptive value depend on the context?
How does the concept of adaptive value depend on the context?
What is a primary reason for the existence of individual differences in traits within a population?
What is a primary reason for the existence of individual differences in traits within a population?
What does the term 'universal adaptation' refer to in a population?
What does the term 'universal adaptation' refer to in a population?
What is stabilizing selection primarily responsible for in a population?
What is stabilizing selection primarily responsible for in a population?
How do intermediate values of traits contribute to adaptability in traits like sociability?
How do intermediate values of traits contribute to adaptability in traits like sociability?
What does the concept of inclusive fitness help explain in evolutionary biology?
What does the concept of inclusive fitness help explain in evolutionary biology?
What phenomenon describes the support of genetic traits being passed on through altruistic behaviors towards relatives?
What phenomenon describes the support of genetic traits being passed on through altruistic behaviors towards relatives?
Why is genetic variation important for the survival of a population in changing environments?
Why is genetic variation important for the survival of a population in changing environments?
Which of the following statements about personality traits is correct?
Which of the following statements about personality traits is correct?
In the context of evolution, what role does altruism play according to the concept of kin selection?
In the context of evolution, what role does altruism play according to the concept of kin selection?
What is the main advantage of having an intermediate level of sociability in humans?
What is the main advantage of having an intermediate level of sociability in humans?
Which of the following best describes the impact of genetics on personality traits?
Which of the following best describes the impact of genetics on personality traits?
What is meant by the term 'nonshared environmental effect'?
What is meant by the term 'nonshared environmental effect'?
How do the heritability of supertraits relate to the heritability of facet traits?
How do the heritability of supertraits relate to the heritability of facet traits?
Which factor is most likely to contribute to personality differences in twins who share the same home environment?
Which factor is most likely to contribute to personality differences in twins who share the same home environment?
What concept questions the idea that superordinate traits solely derive from their associated facets?
What concept questions the idea that superordinate traits solely derive from their associated facets?
What is a potential source of nonshared environmental influence on personality?
What is a potential source of nonshared environmental influence on personality?
What do findings about the heritability of happiness suggest?
What do findings about the heritability of happiness suggest?
Which of the following best captures the relationship between temperament and genetically influenced behaviors?
Which of the following best captures the relationship between temperament and genetically influenced behaviors?
Flashcards
Altruism
Altruism
Acting for the well-being of others, even at the cost of one's own well-being.
Evolutionary disadvantage of altruism
Evolutionary disadvantage of altruism
Altruistic acts might decrease chances of survival and passing on genes, making the trait less common over time.
Natural selection
Natural selection
The process where characteristics that improve survival and reproduction become more common in a population.
Population genetics
Population genetics
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Allele
Allele
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Directional selection
Directional selection
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Individual differences
Individual differences
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Adaptive trait
Adaptive trait
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Context-dependent adaptation
Context-dependent adaptation
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Genetic Influence on Attitudes
Genetic Influence on Attitudes
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Distinct Genetic Effects
Distinct Genetic Effects
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Supertraits and Facet Traits
Supertraits and Facet Traits
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Nonshared Environmental Effect
Nonshared Environmental Effect
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Unique Experiences
Unique Experiences
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Shared Environment vs. Nonshared Environment
Shared Environment vs. Nonshared Environment
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Heritability of Happiness
Heritability of Happiness
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Stabilizing selection
Stabilizing selection
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Genetic variability
Genetic variability
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Inclusive fitness
Inclusive fitness
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Kin selection
Kin selection
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Intermediate sociability
Intermediate sociability
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Disease prevalence & openness
Disease prevalence & openness
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Gene pool
Gene pool
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Altruism
Altruism
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Personality traits
Personality traits
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Study Notes
Chapter 6: Genetics, Evolution, and Personality
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Twin studies and adoption studies are used to determine genetic influence on personality.
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Some personality qualities are genetically influenced.
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Two issues in behavioral genetics complicate drawing conclusions: confounding effects of environment and the variability of what is measured.
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Molecular genetics and genomics examine specific genes and their roles in human behavior.
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Evolutionary processes influenced present-day human behavior in four ways:
- physical adaptations
- social interactions
- mating strategies
- violence
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Researchers have found evidence of genetic influences in behavioral problems.
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Criticisms of using evolutionary ideas to understand personality include potential bias and lacking clear predictions.
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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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