Nature vs. Nurture

Nature vs. Nurture QuizAnswer True or False for the following questions 1. Even complex human traits are determined

by a single gene 2. People’s divorce risks are about 50%

attributable to genetic factors 3. Adoptees’ traits bear more similar to their

adoptive parents than to their biological parents 4. Two different children in the same family are

on average as different from one another as are pairs of children selected from the general population

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz cont5. If after a worldwide catastrophe only

Icelanders and Kenyans survived, the human species would soon be just as mixed and diverse as it is now

6. A child who hears English spoken with one accent at home and another in the neighborhood or at school adopts the accent of their peers, not their parents

7. Compared with Westerners, people in Japan exhibit greater concern for social harmony and loyalty

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz cont

8. Seven weeks after conception, males and females remain anatomically identical

9. Even when families discourage gender typing, children still organize themselves into “boy worlds” and “girl worlds”

Nature vs. Nurture Quiz Answers

1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. False 6. True 7. True 8. True 9. True

Heredity vs. Environment

Heredity- characteristics obtained directly from the genes

Environment- person’s surroundings (which influence a person’s characteristics)

Question: Which do you think has the greatest influence? Nature? Nurture? Why?

Heredity

Genes- basic units of heredity Ex eye color, hair color, body build, etc.

Chromosomes- structures containing genesAll human cells contain 46 chromosomes

(23 pairs), except for reproductive cells which contain 23 chromosomes (1/2 of a pair, so they can attach to the other half to make a person)

Gender

X Chromosome In both men and women (men have 1,

women have 2)X Chromosome from each parent produces a

female childY Chromosome

Only in men (men have 1)Y Chromosome when paired with the X

Chromosome from the mother produces a male child

Gender Roles

Gender Role- set of expected behaviors for men and women

Gender Identity- one’s sense of being male or female

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology- the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using the principles of natural selection

Natural Selection- the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increase reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Evolutionary Psychology

World wide, men preferred attractive physical features suggesting youth and health and women preferred resources and social status

Twin Studies

Used to debate “nature vs. nurture”Identical twins- one egg that splits

the most alike any 2 people can beFraternal twins- 2 eggs

as different as regular

siblings or 2 random people Read about Minnesota

Twin Study

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Individualism- giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications

Collectivism- giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work group) and defining one’s identity accordingly

Western cultures (America/Europe) tend to be more individualist than Eastern cultures (Asia/Africa)

Morality Defined by individuals Defined by social networks (self-based) (duty-based)

Attributing Behavior reflects one’s personality Behavior reflects socialbehaviors and attitudes and roles

Value Contrasts Between Individualism and Collectivism

Concept Individualism Collectivism

Self Independent Interdependent (identity from individual traits) identity from belonging)

Life task Discover and express one’s Maintain connections, fit in uniqueness

What matters Me--personal achievement and We-group goals and solidarity; fulfillment; rights and liberties social responsibilities and

relationships

Coping method Change reality Accommodate to reality

Relationships Many, often temporary or casual; Few, close and enduring;confrontation acceptable harmony valued