Nature vs Nurture Psychology Notes PDF
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Uploaded by UserFriendlyLapSteelGuitar9305
Fanshawe College
2023
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Summary
This document provides lecture notes on the nature vs nurture debate in psychology. It covers biological aspects of heredity and evolution, and examines the influence of environmental factors on genes, behavior, and psychological traits. The notes include discussion of relevant studies, such as the Dutch Hunger Winter.
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Nature vs Nurture Nature vs Nurture Nature Nurture the inborn, innate character of an environmental influences that organism shape behaviours Images...
Nature vs Nurture Nature vs Nurture Nature Nurture the inborn, innate character of an environmental influences that organism shape behaviours Images CC0 from Pixabay Review: The Biopsychosocial Model Image Source: Wikimedia Commons Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Evolution and Heredity Charles Darwin (1871): proposed a theory of evolution. Natural selection: adaptive genetic variations among members of a species enable individuals with those variations to survive and reproduce. Humans, like other species, evolved and adapted. Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Evolutionary Psychology Evolutionary psychology is the branch of psychology that studies the ways in which adaptation and natural selection are connected with mental processes and behaviour. Psychological traits might undergo a similar process of natural selection as Darwin described for physical traits. Adaptive psychological traits could be passed on genetically from generation to generation. It emphasizes instinctive behaviour in species. E.g., infant reflexes Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Heredity and Genetics Heredity: biological transmission of character and biological traits from parents to children via genes https://images.nagwa.com/figures/explainers/402189501015/2.svg Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Genes and Genetics Genes are the basic unit (building block) of heredity found at a specific point on chromosomes Genetics: subfield of biology that studies heredity Behavioural genetics: the study of genetic transmission of traits that govern behaviour patterns or psychological traits Key Terms Gene basic unit (building block) of heredity found at a specific point on chromosomes Chromosomes structures within cell nucleus that carry genes humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) substance that forms chromosomes takes form of double helix contains the genetic code 2-14 Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Genotypes and Phenotypes Polygenic - refers to traits that are influenced by combinations of genes. Most psychological traits (e.g., mental health, general intelligence) are influenced by many genes. Genotype is a person’s genetic makeup, as determined by the sequencing of chemicals in their DNA. A genetic trait may be present in the DNA, but may or may not be expressed. Phenotype is the manifestation of a person’s genetic code; one’s actual development and appearance based on one’s genotype and environment Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. https://geneticeducation.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Genotype-vs-phenoty.003.jpeg Epigenetics Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene function because of environmental influences. E.g., Heijmans et al (2008) Dutch Hunger Winter E.g., Yehuda and Lehrner (2018) intergenerational trauma E.g., Nannini et al. (2023) cannabis use Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Kinship Studies Kinship studies compare biologically related and biologically unrelated people; they study genetic influence on behavioural or psychological traits. Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Twin Studies Twin studies compare the presence of traits and behaviour patterns in twins. Monozygotic (MZ) twins: twins that develop from a single fertilized ovum divides in two early in prenatal development thus share the same genetic code; also called identical twins Dizygotic (DZ) twins: twins that develop from two fertilized ova as closely related as brothers and sisters in general; also called fraternal twins Copyright © 2023 Cengage Learning Canada, Inc. Watch: Twin Studies