Nature vs Nurture HSP3U PDF

Nature vs. Nurture HSP3U Genetics Behaviour Genetics The school of thought that focuses on how much our genes and our environmental influences our individual differences. Genes  The biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes. Many genes together make up chromosomes Environment...

Nature vs. Nurture HSP3U Genetics Behaviour Genetics The school of thought that focuses on how much our genes and our environmental influences our individual differences. Genes  The biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes. Many genes together make up chromosomes Environment Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. Any influence, other than genetic, on an individual’s behaviour. Include: The culture someone is raised in One’s family Socioeconomic group Nature vs. Nurture Nature side entails the genetic code passed from parent to child. Nurture side involves all environmental influences from prenatal development on. Which parts of human behavior can we attribute to nature and which can be attributed to nurture? Chromosomes  Threadlike structures made up of DNA that contain genes.  46 chromosomes in each cell  23 received from each parent Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up chromosomes.  Mutation  Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the individual’s genetic code.  The source of all genetic diversity.  Can be desirable or undesirable changes Predisposition 1 2 3 The possibility of Genetics creates The environment something the potential for may or may not happening something trigger the through the predisposition genetic code Nature and Individual Differences: Twin Studies IDENTICAL TWINS  Twins who developed from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms.  Called monozygotic twins  Must be of the same sex  Twins who developed from two different fertilized eggs; they are genetically no more similar than any other two siblings, but they Fraternal share a fetal environment. Twins Called dizygotic twins. Can be different sexes  Heritability The degree to which traits are inherited. The proportion of an individual’s characteristics that can be attributed to genetics (heredity)  Used to determine the heritability of a given trait Twin Data is collected from both Studies identical and fraternal twins on the trait Compare the data between the two groups Important not to conclude that a specific behavior is inherited Nature and Individual Differences: Adoption Studies Compare Attribute Attribute Compare adopted Trait similarities with Trait similarities with children’s traits with biological parents: the adopted parents: those of their attribute the trait to attribute the trait to biological parents and heredity the environment their adopted parents Environment Matters: Early Learning and Brain Development Early experience is critical in brain development. In later life continued use is necessary to maintain neural connections in the brain. Nature vs. Nurture Nature Nurture  Heredity is the transmission of genetic  Social environment can imprint characteristics from parents to children characteristics on a child  Instinct is an unchanging biologically  Pavlov’s experiments showed that inherited behavior behavior could be taught  Sociobiology searches for the biological  Most social scientists believe personality basis of all social behavior arises from a mixture of both nature and nurture A personality is the sum total of behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and values that are characteristic of an individual. Factors in Heredity Birth Order Personality Developme nt Parental The Cultural Characteristic Environment s Heredity  Characteristics present at birth include hair type, eye color, and certain aptitudes.  Biological needs include hunger and thirst.  Culture decides how you will use or satisfy hereditary characteristics. Birth Order Early-born Personalities are siblings have influenced by different traits brothers and than later-born sisters. siblings.   Age, level of education, religious Parental orientation, economic status, cultural Characteristi heritage, and occupation of parents can shape personalities of children. cs The Cultural Environment Each culture has set “model personalities.” Individuals experience a culture in different ways.  Environment Matters! Peer and Parent Influence PEER INFLUENCE o Peer influence in adolescence is very powerful. o Many studies suggest a peer group is correlated with school performance, smoking, and other behaviors. PARENTAL INFLUENCE o Parental influence is important in areas of: o Education o Discipline o Responsibility o Orderliness o Charitableness o Ways of interacting with authority figures. Environment Matters! Cultural Influences  The shared attitudes, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group communicated from one generation to the next.  Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior.  Consist of the “proper behavior” within a group  Norms are developed by our society and environment, which are perpetuated by mass media