Chapter 3

Nature – genes Nurture – environment Our biological make-up and our

experiences combine to make us who we are.

It’s complicating …

•Cells in the human body have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total)

•Half from your mother half from your father

•Chromosomes include DNA

•DNA includes genes

•Genes are the building blocks for our physical development.

•Humane Genome project suggests that every other human on this planet is close to being your twin sharing 99.9% of your DNA. We tend to focus on the .1% that makes us different.

Behavior geneticists use twin and adoption studies to learn the influences of genes and environment. Identical Twins

Single fertilized egg that splits into two Genetically identical

Fraternal Twins Develop from two separate eggs No more similar than a brother and sister

An example of a twins study and cancer

Can indicate the heritability of a trait. Heritability - The extent to which

differences among people are attributable to genes.

Does NOT mean that we can imply a certain trait is ___ % inherited.

Twin studies may be complicated by the fact that twins typically grow up in the same environment. So detecting if results are due to genes or environment may be difficult. Adoption studies can shed light on this

issue. Video: Value in Adoption Studies Video: Gerry and Mark

You can also see the interaction between nature and nurture when studying adopted children. Adoptee’s personality traits bear more

similarities to that of the biological parents. However, studies do show that the adoptive

family environment can plan impact the adoptee’s attitudes, values, manners, faith and politics.

Evolutionary Psychologists - Study the behaviors, emotions, and thinking that have allowed us to survive.

Natural Selection: The principle that among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to future generations.

Ex- giraffes necks, white rabbits living in polar regions.

Applied to humans- Fear developed in humans as a positive gene to be passed down- those too daring died .

Ex- Food preferences Q What food color is considered least desirable and Why?

Ex-Intelligence -Those that deemed leopards nice to pet rather than dangerous did not pass on genes.

Ex- Why do women prefer more muscular men. Ex- Why do men think about sex more than

women? Re: bottom of p. 104 Ex. Men prefer youthful look..waists roughly one

third of hips. Q. Can environment influence tastes?

John Locke’s blank slate theory- everybody is born clean then socialization, experience writes on that blank slate and you become who you are. Nature Vs. Nurture

Examples of how nature vs. nature ideology has influenced brutal dictatorships or moral atrocities.

Social Darwinism in US (Mexican War and state sterilization programs)

Ex. China- “On a white sheet of paper can be printed the most beautiful words”

- Mao Zedong

Ex. Cambodia- “ Only the new born baby is spotless” - Pol Pot

Stephen Pinker Video-Video Tools Kit

Temperament – a person’s characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity. (emotional excitability) Identical twins have more similar

temperaments than fraternal twins. This is evidence that our temperament is

biologically rooted. (so there may be a biological basis to our personality)

Pair up with a neighbor that you do not know well at all. Discuss these topics take note in the ways that you are similar… Politics Music Religion Clothes Jobs held Job goals Sports Hobbies Favorite subject Subjects you dislike Favorite foods Food

Climate preferences Automobile preferences Sleeping habits Reading tastes Talents What bugs you? Chewing gum brand? Toothpaste brand Coffee brand Favorite magazines Pets owned Family members TV programs Personality traits Vacation spots Handedness

The biological and social characteristics to which people define male or female.

Overall, males and females are very similar genetically – but we cannot ignore some observable differences that are influenced by biological factors and culture.

Women can do anything except.mp4 -

Gender Identity – one’s sense of being male or female.

Video Gender Identity- Is the nature vs. nurture issue dead. Start at 1:00

Are more concerned with “making connections” and building relationships

More open to spirituality Are usually the one both

sexes turn to to share worries and hurts

Hold phone conversations longer when talking to the same sex (avg. 7.2 min vs. males 4.6 min.)

The Myers text mentions that…

WOMEN Posses more body fat Enter puberty earlier Express emotions

more Are more likely to be

offered helped On average 5” shorter

Place less emphasis on religion

Are more skeptical Believe their

friendships with women are more intimate than friendships with men.

Difference between men and women - YouTube

The Myers text mentions that…

MEN Admit to being more

aggressive Are more interesting

in fighting and hunting Perceived as more

dominant Use communication to

find solutions rather then build relationships

Gender Roles – a set of expectations for males and females.

Gender Roles in the Media by (Isabel S Leone) – YouTube

Gender Roles in Disney Movies – YouTube Gender Roles-Interviews with Kids -

YouTube Activity – Divide into groups of males and

females… make a list of gender roles for your gender and for the opposite gender.

1. When you go out, who drives?2. Who fills out the tax forms?3. Who writes “thank you” notes for gifts received?4. Who is more likely to ask “where are my shoes?”5. When the car needs repair, who takes it to the garage?6. Who does the laundry?7. Who dusts and vacuums?8. Who know where to find the thermometer?9. Who knows where to find a wrench?10. When guests are over for dinner who makes the drinks?11. Who waters the house plants?12. Who mows the lawn?13. When you go on a trip, who packs the suitcase?14. When you go on a trip, who packs the car?

Gender Schema Theory – Children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and they adjust their behavior accordingly. Through language, dress, toys, and songs

children begin to shape their schema (mental view for gender.

Gender stereotypes in children's movies – YouTube

Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising's Image of Women

Gender Typing – the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role. Ex Baby X studies where 20-24 yr olds where told a

3 month old baby was male (1/3rd ), female (1/3rd ) or not told (1/3rd ). Psychologists analyzed:

A) How they were talked to

B) whether they were held

C) which toy they played with football, doll or bellring 9 month old baby X’s were given a jack in the box

and subjects explained the infants emotional reactions. Subjects interpreted the reactions as fear or anger (based on what they thought the baby’s gender was.