Shared Flashcard Set

Details

PS-201 Chapter 4
Psychology by David Myers, 9th edition
44
Psychology
Undergraduate 2
02/16/2012

Additional Psychology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
What is behavior genetics?
Definition
the study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior
Term
How do psychologists define environment?
Definition
every nongenetic invluence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us
Term
What are chromosomes?
Definition
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
Term
What is DNA?
Definition
a complex moleule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes
Term
What are genes?
Definition
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chormosmes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein
Term
What is the genome?
Definition
the complete instructions for makign an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes
Term
How are identical twins and fraternal twins different?
Definition
identical - twins hwo develop from a single fertilized egg taht splits in two creating two genetically identical organisms.
fraternal - ftwins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. they are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment
Term
You should understand the logic behind twin studies (E.g., if an effect is all genetics- who should have a higher correlation- identical twins or fraternal twins?)
Definition
Term
Why are separated twins studied? (hint- removes shared environment). You should also understand the logic behind adoption studies.
Definition
Term
What is temperament?
Definition
a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity
Term
What are easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up infants like?
Definition
easy - cheerful, relaxedm adn predictable in feeding and sleeping
difficult - are more irritable, intense, and unpredictable
slow to warm up - tend to resist or withdraw from new people and situations
Term
What is heritability?
Definition
the proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied
Term
What is an interaction?
Definition
the interplay that occurs when the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity)
Term
Explain how genes and environment can interact.
Definition
it's not nature versus nurture; its nature via nurture
Term
How can genes influence the environment?
Definition
Our genetically influnced traits evoke significant responses in others. Environments trigger gene activity
Term
What is molecular genetics?
Definition
the subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes
Term
What is evolutionary psychology?
Definition
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection
Term
The idea of natural selection?
Definition
the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead t oincreased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed onto succeeding generations
Term
What are mutations
Definition
a random error in gene replication that leads to a change.
Term
What are some gender differences in sexuality?
Definition
Term
According to evolutionary psychology, what do women look for in a mate? What do men look for? Why?
Definition
Men more than women preferred physical features suggesting youth and health - and reproductive potential. Women more than men preferred mates with resources and social status.
Term
What are some critiques of the evolutionary approach?
Definition
Term
Be familiar with the study by Rosenweig and Krech on how environment can influence rat’s cortexes Figure 4.4 p. 149-150. Review other example of how experience impacts brain development
Definition
Term
How much influence do parents and peers have on our lives? P. 170 has a good summary for this
Definition
Term
What is culture?
Definition
the enduring behaviors, ideas, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
Term
What is a norm?
Definition
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Nroms prescribe 'proper' behavior
Term
What is personal space and how does the norm for personal space differ across cultures?
Definition
the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies
Term
How does the pace of life differ across cultures?
Definition
it differs
Term
What is the difference between collectivism and individualism? Review Table 4.1
Definition
self, life task, what matters, coping method, morality, relationships, attributing behavior
Term
What is gender (p. 147)?
Definition
in psychology, the biological and socially influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
Term
Review the gender differences discussed on pages 159-162.
Definition
Term
Specifically who tends to be more physically aggressive?
Definition
Men tend to be more aggressive
Term
Who tends to be more socially dominant?
Definition
Men are more socially dominant
Term
Who is more concerned with social connectedness?
Definition
women are more concerned with making connections
Term
What is an X chromosome?
Definition
the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.
Term
Y chromosome?
Definition
the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child
Term
What is testosterone and how does it play a role in sexual differentiation?
Definition
the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additoinal testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty
Term
What evidence is there that gender differences are biological? e.g., testosterone exposure to female embryos.
Definition
Term
What evidence is there that gender is the result of nurture?
Definition
Term
What is a role?
Definition
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.
Term
Gender role?
Definition
a set of expected behaviors for males or for females
Term
What is a gender identity?
Definition
our sense of being male or female
Term
Gender typing?
Definition
the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
Term
How does social learning theory explain gender differences?
Definition
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
Supporting users have an ad free experience!