All Flashcards
Explain the interaction of nature and nurture.
Nature (genes) and nurture (environment) constantly interact to shape individual traits; it's not one versus the other.
What is the core principle of evolutionary psychology?
Behaviors and mental processes have evolved through natural selection to enhance survival and reproduction.
Describe the concept of 'adaptive behaviors' from an evolutionary perspective.
Behaviors that increased survival or reproductive success in ancestral environments are more likely to be passed down.
Explain how twin studies help researchers understand genetic influence.
Comparing identical (100% shared genes) and fraternal twins helps determine if traits are more similar due to genetics.
How do adoption studies help differentiate between genetic and environmental influences?
Similarities to biological parents suggest genetic influence, while similarities to adoptive parents suggest environmental influence.
What is the main focus of family studies?
Family studies look at how traits are shared among genetically related individuals to determine genetic basis.
Explain the danger of misusing evolutionary principles.
Misusing evolutionary principles can lead to harmful ideologies like eugenics, justifying discrimination and oppression.
What does it mean to say 'it's nature via nurture'?
Genes provide a blueprint, but the environment influences how those genes are expressed and developed.
How does natural selection relate to behavior?
Behaviors that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce were more likely to be passed down through natural selection.
What is the main goal of studying genetic effects on behavior?
To untangle genetic and environmental influences on behavior and mental processes.
Give an example of how a fear can be explained through evolutionary psychology.
A fear of snakes may have evolved because it helped early humans avoid venomous bites, increasing survival.
How can twin studies be used to understand the heritability of schizophrenia?
If identical twins are more likely to both have schizophrenia than fraternal twins, it points to a genetic component to the disorder.
How can adoption studies be used to understand the heritability of intelligence?
If adopted children's IQ scores are more similar to their biological parents' scores, it suggests a genetic component to intelligence.
How might altruism be explained from an evolutionary perspective?
Altruism may have evolved because helping others in a group could increase the group's survival and thus the individual's genes being passed on.
How does the concept of nature vs. nurture apply to the development of musical talent?
A child might have a genetic predisposition for musical talent (nature), but without exposure to instruments and lessons (nurture), that potential may go unrealized.
How can understanding evolutionary psychology help us understand mate selection?
Mate selection preferences may have evolved to maximize reproductive success, such as preferring partners with traits indicating health and fertility.
How can evolutionary psychology explain aggression?
Aggression may have evolved as a way to compete for resources, protect territory, or defend oneself and offspring.
How can family studies help understand the genetic basis of depression?
If depression runs in families more than would be expected by chance, it may have a genetic basis.
How can eugenics be applied in real life?
Eugenics has been used to discriminate against marginalized groups and justify atrocities like forced sterilization.
How can the understanding of nature vs. nurture be applied to education?
Understanding that both genes and environment play a role in learning can help educators tailor instruction to individual needs and provide enriching experiences.
Define 'Nature' in the context of psychology.
Innate qualities, including genetic predispositions, inherited from parents.
Define 'Nurture' in the context of psychology.
Environmental factors that influence development, including family, culture, and experiences.
Define 'Natural Selection'.
The process where traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on to future generations.
Define 'Adaptive Behaviors'.
Behaviors that increase chances of survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
Define 'Eugenics'.
A flawed and unethical idea that selective breeding can 'improve' the human race.
Define 'Heritability'.
The proportion of variation among individuals in a group that we can attribute to genes.
Define 'Twin Studies'.
Research that compares traits and behaviors of identical and fraternal twins.
Define 'Family Studies'.
Research that examines how traits are shared among genetically related individuals.
Define 'Adoption Studies'.
Research that compares adopted children to their biological and adoptive families.
Define 'Evolutionary Psychology'.
A branch of psychology that studies the evolutionary roots of behavior and mental processes.