Molecular Behaviour Genetics Notes PDF

Molecular Behaviour Genetics Molecular genetics-- study of molecular structure and genes -- what they are comprised of and how they express themselves Genetic testing -- can reveal predisposition to certain illnesses and mental health such as asd, adhd, bipolar, schizophrenia 80% of childs risk o...

Molecular Behaviour Genetics Molecular genetics-- study of molecular structure and genes -- what they are comprised of and how they express themselves Genetic testing -- can reveal predisposition to certain illnesses and mental health such as asd, adhd, bipolar, schizophrenia 80% of childs risk of develpping autism is genetic Theory of mind -- "I think you know what I think/know" concept -- there is a test to determine theory of mind, in the process there are two dolls and the child is asked to name the dolls, a short skit is enacted and sally takes a marble and leaves it in the basket. Anne takes the marble while sally is away on a walk and moves it to a box. Sally is reintroduced and asked where the marble will be. Theory of mind is thinking that sally would know the marble is in the box because Anne knows its in the box TEST \*\* Epigenetics -- what is in our environment that causes our genes to express in a certain way -- genes can be active (expressed) or inactive - studies when the environmental influences on a gene without changing DNA -- environmental, drugs, diet can affect expression -- life experiences beginning in the womb lay down epigenetic marks Epigenome -- different experiences children have can impact gene expression (this is why twins can have differences) Epigenetic Influences -- drugs, diet, nutrition, social impact, exercise, cognitive impact etc Nature/Nurture -- it is considered both affect development Evolution of Behaviour -- behaviour adjusts based on needs Natural selection -- survival of the fittest -- in order to survive our genes need to work in such a way to survive -- as a species generally we are better at some things than we used to be because we need those skills in order to survive -- our offspring compete for survival -- biological and behavioural variations increase an organisms reproductive and survival chances Russian Fox experiment -- chose the tamest foxes and mated them and from their offspring mated the tamest -- process repeated for 57 generations and after 40 years and 45000 foxes they believe they created a new breed -does natural selection explain human tendencies --( Montessori -- movement, curiosity, independence, communication etc description of human tendencies) - Male Female Differences in Sexuality Evolutionary psychology -- Men are more likely to think casual sex is acceptable -- men with the trait of promiscuity are more likely to have their genes continue with little cost to spreading genes -- Women the trait of promiscuity would not greatly increase the number of babies born and would have greater survival costs as pregnancy was often life threatening Men are much more likely to think of sex and be interested in sex than women Straight women prefer men who are tall, broad shoulders and slim waists -- these men are viewed at being reproductively successful Men prefer women with smooth skin, youthful shape, convey health and vitality Some geographical areas prefer affluent men These relate back to evolutionary psychology -- women look at whether he will be able to provide for the family Experience and Brain Development -- nature and nurture work together to shape synapses, unused are pruned away. If certain abilities are not used it will fade away -Brain development does not end with childhood - plasticity allows brain tissue to change and reorganize in response to new experiences -if someone has had a stroke on left side destroying neural pathways this might result in lack of speech but with brain plasticity even as a adult we can relearn and add new synapses to effectively communicate -- once its gone you can make a new route -an enriched environment creates an enriched brain cell (rat experiment) -- think back to first language experiments (relates to impoverished environment with lack of brain cell development) -when we talk about how people behave who gets the blame and who gets the credit -at all ages we seek to fit in with their peer groups -preschoolers at home if they don't like a food and won't eat it will eat it at school -children will adopt peers' accent even if parents don't have it -parents and peers are complimentary influences -peer influence is difficult to trace, can teach new social skills -parents have more influence on education, religion, self-discipline etc (slide 12) -peers have more influence on good and bad habits, path to popularity, cooperation skills, good and bad habits etc (slide 13) Culture Influences -nature of culture -- each culture has norms -- -influx of foreign students -- prof noticed that some had differing expectations of behaviour -culture is shared by a group of people passed on to future generations -each culture has standards of acceptable behaviour -as an individualist culture personal ideals are promoted -collectivist culture -- celebrates team victory over individual success -- tend to avoid blunt conflict, value humility -- can be reflected in the family dynamic -- collective societies offer a sense of familiarity some crave Gender Development -- body defines your sex and your mind defines your gender -gender is socially constructed -rigid gender norms can result in discrimination, violence and stigma -brain scans show no sex differences -our gender role is the expected behaviours for males or females -gender identity is your personal sense of being male or female Learning to be male or female -- Social learning theory - -- we acquire our identity in childhood by imitating and observing others -- without a strong gender example in life where does it come from Gender typing -- children gravitate toward what feels right Slide 21 -- Biopsychosocial approach Human