Nature and Nurture in Psychology

1. Nature and Nurture in Psychology Module 03

2. Introductionthe Nature Nurture Debate in Psychology(10) Module 3: Nature and Nurture in Psychology

3. Behavior Genetics • The study of the relative effects of genes and environmental influences our behavior

4. Genes • The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes • Many genes together make up chromosomes

5. Environment • Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us • Any influence, other than genetic, on an individual’s behavior • Include: • The culture someone is raised in • One’s family • Socioeconomic group

6. Nature and Nurture Issue • Nature side entails the genetic code passed from parent to child. • Nurture side involves all environmental influences from prenatal development on. • Which parts of human behavior can we attribute to nature and which can be attributed to nurture?

7. Genetics in Brief Module 3: Nature and Nurture in Psychology

8. Chromosomes • Threadlike structures made up of DNA that contain the genes • 46 pairs in each cell • 23 received from each parent

9. Chromosomes

10. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) • A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes • 99% of your DNA sequences match that of every other human. You are genetically nearly identical to everyone else in the world. • Similarities and Differences Activity

11. Predisposition • The possibility of something happening through the genetic code • Genetics creates the potential for something • The environment may or may not trigger the predisposition

12. We are far more similar than we are different, but we do differ from one another. How does this happen? 1. Scientists have found snips, or sites throughout our DNA that naturally differ between two unrelated individuals.

13. 2. Other variations exist where they shouldn’t. DNA mutations are random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in an individual’s genetic code. Mutation is the source of all genetic diversity. Some mutations are desirable, for example a mutation leading to superior eyesight. Other mutations, like those that predispose someone to cancer, are undesirable and feared. Predispositions are passed through the DNA to future generations.

14. Mutation • Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the individual’s genetic code; • The source of genetic diversity • Can be desirable or undesirable changes

15. Nature and Individual Differences Module 3: Nature and Nurture in Psychology

16. Heritability • The degree to which traits are inherited • The proportion of an individual’s characteristics that can be attributed to genetics (heredity)

17. Identical Twins • Twins who developed from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms • Called monozygotic twins

21. Fraternal Twins • Twins who developed from separate eggs; the are genetically no more similar than other siblings, but they share a fetal environment • Called dizygotic twins

24. Twin Studies • Used to determine the heritability of a given trait • Data is collected from both identical and fraternal twins on the trait • Compare the data between the two groups • Important not to conclude that a specific behavior is inherited

25. Twin Studies • What are Twin Studies? • Identical Twins separated at birth

26. Adoption Studies • Compare adopted children’s traits with those of their biological parents and their adopted parents • Trait similarities with biological parents: attribute the trait to heredity • Trait similarities with the adopted parents: attribute the trait to the environment

27. Adoption Studies • Personality traits tend to be similar to our biological parents (Nature!) • Values, attitudes, manners, political views, etc tend to be similar to our adoptive parents (Nurture!)

28. Environment Matters • The following are research findings related to the environmental influences of early brain development, parent, peer and culture:

29. 1. Early Brain Development • Early experience is critical in brain development. • In later life continued use is necessary to maintain neural connections in the brain.

30. As you get older, your brain tissue will continue to change. The brain’s pathways that are maintained through practice or experience will remain strong. • Neglected pathways will fade with disuse. Use them or lose them!

31. 2. Parent influence • Parents are more influential when it comes to education, discipline, responsibility, orderliness, charitableness, and ways of interacting with authority figures.

32. 3. Peer Influences • Peer influence in adolescence is very powerful. • Many studies suggest a peer group is correlated with school performance, smoking, and other behaviors.

33. 4.Culture • The shared attitudes, beliefs, norms and behaviors of a group communicated from one generation to the next

34. Norms • Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior • Consist of the “proper behavior” within a group

35. Individualism in Cultures • Giving priority to one’s goals over the goals of the group, • Defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than the group’s identification • Tend to see people as separate and independent

36. Collectivism in cultures • Giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often the extended family or work group) and defining one’s personal identity accordingly • See people as connected to others • Individual needs are sacrificed for the good of the group.

37. Asians and Africans typically raise their children in a collectivist environment. • Europeans and North Americans are usually raised as individualists.

38. End of Module Reflections • Our families, friends and culture in which we live all affect us. Choose one of those factors and discuss how this has influenced who you are as a person right now. • Which do you think has played more of a role in influencing the person you are right now, nature or nurture? Explain. • At this point in your life, who has more influence over your morals and values – parents or peers? Explain. • Discuss what you learned in the documentary TEDS(Twins Early Development Study). What were some of their main findings?

39. The End

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