UNIT REVIEW: Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and Behavior

CHAPTER 3C

GENETICS, EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY, AND BEHAVIOR

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UNIT REVIEW: Genetics, Evolutionary Psychology, and Behavior Behavior Genetics: Predicting Individual Differences 1: What are genes, and how do behavior geneticists explain our individual differences? Chromosomes are coils of DNA containing gene segments that, when “turned on" (expressed), code for the proteins that form our body's building blocks. Most human traits are inuenced by many genes acting together. Behavior geneticists seek to quantify genetic and environmental inuences on our traits. Studies of identical twins, fraternal twins, and adoptive families help specify the inuence of genetic nature and of environmental nurture, and the interaction between them (meaning that the effect of each depends on the other).

2: What is heritability, and how does it relate to individuals and groups? Heritability describes the extent to which variation among members of a group can be attributed to genes. I-Ieritable individual differences in traits such as height or intelligence need 1'10]; explain group diffe1'en¢e5_ Genes mggtly explain why some are taller than others, but not why people today are taller than a century ago. 3: What is the promise of molecular genetics research? Molecular geneticists study the molecular structure and function of genes. Psychologists and molecular geneticists are cooperating to identify specific genes—or more often, teams of genes—that put people at risk for disorders.

Evolutionary Psychology: Understanding Human Nature 4: How do evolutionary psychologists use natural selection to explain behavior tendencies? Evolutionary psychologists seek to understand how natural selection has shaped our traits and behavior tendencies. The

principle of natural selection states that variations increasing the odds of reproducing and surviving 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. Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution has for a long time been an organizing principle in biology, anticipated the contemporary application of evolutionary principles in psychology.

5: How might an evolutionary psychologist explain gender differences in sexuality and mating preferences? Men more than women think about sex and misinterpret friendliness as sexual interest. Women more than men do not approve of casual sex and have a relational view of sexual activity. Applying principles of natural selection, evolutionary psychologists reason that men’s attraction to multiple healthy, fertile-appearing partners increases their chances of spreading their genes widely. Because women incubate and nurse babies, they increase their own and their ChllClI‘CI1'S chances Of survival by searching fO1' XIIQTICS with the resources and the potential for long-term investment in their joint offspring.

6: What are the key criticisms of evolutionary psychology? Critics argue that evolutionary psychologists start with an effect and work backward to an explanation, that the evolutionary perspective gives too little emphasis to social inuences, and that the evolutionary viewpoint absolves people from taking responsibility for their sexual behavior. Evolutionary psychologists respond that understanding our pre-

dispositions can help us overcome them. They also cite the value of testable predictions based on evolutionary principles, as well as the coherence and explanatory power of those principles.

Terms and Concepts to Remember behavior genetics, p. 95

genome, p. 96

environment, p. 95

identical twins, p. 96 fraternal twins, p. 97 heritability, p. 100 interaction, p. 101

chromosomes, p. 95

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), p. 95 genes, p. 95

molecular genetics, p. 102 evolutionary psychology, p. 103 natural selection, p. 103 mutation, p. 104

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I12

GENETICS, EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY, AND BEHAVIOR

UNI

OAP* Pradlce Tegt |\/|u|tip|e-C|-mice Questions

4. Thomas Bouchard's study of twins is notable, because a_ it elemeusttatetl that peer lhfluehee is more important than parental inuence in the development of personality traits. b. it proved that the inuence of parental environment becomes more and more important as children grow into adults. c. he discovered almost unbelievable similarities between adult identical twins who had been separated near

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socialization. This explanation does not consider the importance of individual choices in any given situation.

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