REVIEW Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and Behavior

Learning Objectives

77

Test Yourself by taking a moment to answer each of these Learning Objective Questions (repeated here from within the module). Research suggests that trying to answer these questions on your own will improve your long-term memory of the concepts (McDaniel et al., 2009).

Question

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ANSWER: Genes are the biochemical units of heredity that make up chromosomes, the threadlike coils of DNA. When genes are “turned on” (expressed), they provide the code for creating the proteins that form our body's building blocks. Most human traits are influenced by many genes acting together. The human genome is the shared genetic profile that distinguishes humans from other species, consisting at an individual level of all the genetic material in an organism's chromosomes. Behavior geneticists study the relative power and limits of genetic (our heredity) and environmental influences on behavior.

Question

KiZhxmMqpzVTRbVL6IIlcyK98Q/QCZPgPLH0QujXC3K99+q6TZniaOFPzaslLi31qODXEjBMHT8xWBo/pMrJQteg5s7V86teaQ8ZfuN312scod6mK+6CbkzhkgK/Ieqyuk6wtxBrJAp3lSNuDy7muMs8e69530ynqePdieQuOdNVoIGW6Q2B4e09PEMJYbjdMWjkRND5AIe8ku6t76ngcN+T6uauWoTyUeNwFsD98mQ=
ANSWER: Studies of identical (monozygotic) twins versus fraternal (dizygotic) twins, separated twins, and biological versus adoptive relatives allow researchers to tease apart the influences of heredity and environment. Research studies on separated identical twins maintain the same genes while testing the effects of different home environments. Studies of adoptive families let researchers maintain the same home environment while studying the effects of genetic differences. Heritable individual differences (in traits such as height and weight) do not necessarily explain gender or ethnic group differences. Shared family environments have little effect on personality, though parenting does influence other factors (such as attitudes).

Question

CEj4/KOAoCUtGXiEZq8wGV64GjmppqTynjbCA1tziFP/drY+ZibMFhO4hn+VsBoIpE3NoIq74tn9KqrZZ/frtwQO7IbIgx2Chnzn6DAdJJ0+85sc4GB3s5oAUUY0OyBQZuqxL6y3pru5ao/f3k09LsQLUoxOAxRi
ANSWER: Our genetic predispositions and our specific environments interact. Environments can trigger or block genetic expression, and genetically influenced traits can evoke responses from others. The field of epigenetics studies the influences on gene expression that occur without changes in DNA.

Question

MRGx66GpZ3YTEnjKDXhWXzbDLxqcFupE6XsTCySvqhqAdHODkXUeBRLbdvOysUrRa5rXjvzSCc5yu/UebJNslo29mh745XbUWK4T0Jn1cSNu8ccpJFUzWwuRnBiVeec6czinbUB4ZOGA8AiCix2aSFEzyzcphDMh3rItoWzbXEo1fV1CwxSYqVgqA6H0SeAl02+8C7U+D8J+I5tTPShc6Q==
ANSWER: Evolutionary psychologists seek to understand how our traits and behavior tendencies are shaped by natural selection, as genetic variations increasing the odds of reproducing and surviving in their particular environment are most likely to be passed on to future generations. Some variations arise from mutations (random errors in gene replication), others from new gene combinations at conception. Humans share a genetic legacy and are predisposed to behave in ways that promoted our ancestors' surviving and reproducing. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is an organizing principle in biology. He anticipated today's application of evolutionary principles in psychology.

Terms and Concepts to Remember

Test yourself on these terms.

Question

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Experience the Testing Effect

Test yourself repeatedly throughout your studies. This will not only help you figure out what you know and don’t know; the testing itself will help you learn and remember the information more effectively thanks to the testing effect.

Question 2.29

1. The threadlike structures made largely of DNA molecules are called k+kCsNZvTDPH8xN4sVObJA== .

Question 2.30

2. A small segment of DNA that codes for particular proteins is referred to as a ySbd0F5DbnhSSNjW .

Question 2.31

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Question 2.32

jVIROTX0YlZi+YArk5Arw3amENMjHZ3ofH+YP7QFc9o0soOuDjQES/tn8EHpUkZEuNIxXI4V4I9jHPaBJ2a1bOvur7+4Zj7cAgsRCtXHpBLmloeFC+RN73T7UpAQlf9XhVJnqyR9B2uMsu7NS8r8Oe7oeL9vvtOUQLIu3AEo9Y+v1fvYaTjLrdO2qnadYOEIBlylM4ULPRjdsJtcLZqr7eg/oIl7YzdZHR3FGlkjBBTNCDdLpKs4WizFL76YtqWk+3JXYDDXq6PEQzgLUxadjzeTFOmaqpe9JisYsT6rMOvZ39bDbL3HcFwQVHFwGsBekERJJhWsJfl7b6LuAjhwGo4h5Ncipq+EfTJMrFn6/Hs8jtDHLwd60kpAbshWa5B0B1COPA==

Question 2.33

5. qIVZBRW53dCT6tKFEmGgpXXUk2i+CfR0QLWkJQ== twins share the same DNA.

Question 2.34

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Question 2.35

7. Epigenetics is the study of the molecular mechanisms by which wUiXDhRRr42iQ0bHEiezXKPKNa8= trigger or block genetic expression.

Question 2.36

8. Behavior geneticists are most interested in exploring hHFeOFcoHAArLLKejBbhdQ== (commonalities/differences) in our behaviors. Evolutionary psychologists are most interested in exploring /07LoXO8TyTDFXJ4qaYExixuhnY= (commonalities/differences).

Question 2.37

6Pn1P+mAeT/fHpvO5TLPB20JQ1Bvw/Y3jHnHmLQDRTgUnBqI+CqFEzy3NS5nxt2RI/DOCBo5HSfY95zlTOPi63ALKtDrecHE97nzOWOxNuSFob2UcdTseFxWpeA2Wv6Yl1x87a2nQEnpCgsy95OdYrx1QfmP6HscPBcYaVCEZGhljquxyqCJJpeK0GyMx4pUlbiNDLq+g9kk+GoCqEjA3rwwtIXe1S2n6cJ3ll+R6D+KpQ/+wL93ez4fC5SCwcSPrbudS7WQSnB47tNNWIf4oeVlgqFSBJwa0pi5/6osu/8gwPXOfeuP0/wXizASYRlANVWCvvFEVXLouT4+WK6JKTi9RPNnfxLt+feJidztLRraqCJb

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