Key Terms*Chromosomes - threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes.
DNA - a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes. *Genes - the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein. Genome - the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes. *Natural Selection - the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations. Mutation - a random error in gene replication that leads to a change. *Evolutionary Psychology - the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection. *Gender - in psychology, the biologically and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female. *Behavior Genetics - the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Environment - every non-genetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us. *Identical Twins - twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms. *Fraternal Twins - twins who develop from separate eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment. *Temperament - a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity. *Heritability - the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. Interaction - the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity). Molecular Genetics - the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes. Culture - the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next. *Norm - an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Personal Space - the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies. Memes - self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person. X Chromosome - the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Y Chromosome - the sex chromosome found only in males. Testosterone - the most important of the male sex hormones. *Role - a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave. *Gender Role - a set of expected behaviors for males and for females. *Gender Identity - one's sense of being male or female. *Gender Typing - the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role. *Social Learning Theory - the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished. *Gender Schema Theory - the theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly. Study Tips
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Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity
This controversy still has psychologists fighting today: what has more influence over us? Nature or nurture? Do we have a right to point the finger at the parents' parenting or should we point it towards their genes? And finally, how does culture and environment actually affect us?