4 behavioral genetics and evolutionary psychology
Post on 17-May-2015
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BEHAVIORAL GENETICS AND EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY
Genetics
We have 23 pairs of chromosomes
Half from genetic mother, half from genetic father
What do genes do?
Function of genes
Chromosome is made of genes
Each gene codes for a protein
Genes can be turned “on” or “off”
How similar are we?
Humans are 99.9% similar
Humans and Chimps are 96% similar
Humans and bananas are 50% similar!
Twin Studies
Twin studies examine similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twins
Identical twins are far more similar than fraternal
Separated at Birth?
Famous example: The Jim Twins
Same name, same wives, same pets, same hobbies, same habits
Could this just be coincidence?
Adoption Studies
Another fantastic way to examine the impact of genes and environment.
Personalities- largely genetic
Then why are siblings so different?
Temperament
Difficult 10%
Easy 40%
Slow to warm up 15%
Identical twins have more similar temperaments
Gene Environment Interactions Environment triggers gene activity
Gene activity influences the environment
Temperament as an example?
Choosing environments
Evolutionary Psychology
What makes us similar?
What is natural selection?
Not just “survival of the fittest”
Grandpa Simpson: I used to be with it, but then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me. It'll happen to you...
Selection
Environmental Pressures
Sexual Pressures
Domestication and Breeding
Why has evolution made us fat?
Gender Differences
It’s all about the sex!
Men are more likely to be sexually liberal
Women are more likely to be sexually conservative
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