PSYC1011 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Sickle-Cell Disease
Document Summary
Lecture 3: evolution & genetic influence on psychological phenomena. Retention: phenotype traits passed on from generation to generation. Selection: environment exert pressure that favors some phenotypic traits that result in reproductive success. Variation: differences in phenotypic traits: applies to all species, including humans. Just as human/non-human anatomy overlap, human/non- human psychology overlap. We aren"t special, just one of many theories. Life is a natural process; no supreme being or purpose to life. Human capacities & institutions rest on biological differences (doesn"t seem fair) Evolution by natural selection implies gradual change & small differences between closely related species. Dna: deoxyribonucleic acid: blue print for synthesizing proteins & other biological building blocks. How does experience play a role in gene expression: epigenetic modification: chemical signatures are written on top of the gene without altering the genetic code. Attract/repel other chemicals that help genes produce the proteins the brain & body need to develop.
