PSYCO104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Psychopathy, Twinkie Defense, Diminished Responsibility

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCO104
• Professor: Michele Moscicki

Document Summary

The nervous system is the first major bodily system to form in the embryo. At 4 weeks, the 3 major levels of the brain are visible. At 7 weeks, the cerebral hemispheres form. The simplest animals have sensory and motor neurons. The first neurons appeared in simple invertebrates. Tracts forming a spinal cord emerge from these head neurons. First 22 pairs = development of body and brain. Genes that led to human brains evolved faster than other species. 50% identical to each parents (and each sibling) Genes set the range for a trait, the environment sets the level within that range (you can run fast, but not fly - daz outta da range) Heritability: the variability of behavioural traits accounted for by genetic factors. 0 (no genetic contribution) to 1 (genes explain everything) Genetics matter in psychopathology for two reasons: Many genes contribute to increased vulnerability to some disorders. Some genes may be directly related to some disorders.