PSYC 330 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Hot Sauce, Parenting Styles, Dopamine Receptor D4
28 Jun 2018
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Genome: Complete set of genes an organism possesses
Genotype: Genetic code, makeup or composition. Particular alleles that people are carrying
Phenotype: Traits that are expressed, observable characteristics
Polygeny: Many genes influence a trait, few are causal
Eugenics - designing the future by fostering reproduction of persons with certain traits and discouraging
reproduction of persons with undesirable traits
Molecular vs Behavioral Genetics
Molecular genetics is concerned with the structure of the genome and their function. Taking a look at
the "novelty seeking" gene, candidate gene studies -- "warrior gene" (MAOA). More commonly seen in
the medical world
Behavioral genetics starts at phenotype level. Genetics and environment both affect ones
intro/extraversion
Nature vs nurture - debate exists only at group level. For individuals - inseparable intertwining of genes
& environment.
Heritability:
Proportion of phenotypic variance across individuals that's explained by genetic variance - people differ
a lot in the traits that are expressed by them and it is due to their genetic make up. Variability in height -
how much variability in the heights of people in the room is due to their genes. Other factors could be -
athletic pursuit, nutrition
Falconer's formula = 2(rmz - rdz)
R for correlation
Mz,dz - monozygotic and dizygotic
We use this formula because monozygotic twins share the most genes
If those who are more genetically related are showing much stronger relationships than those
that are less genetically related, it will show a bigger role of genes
Doubling the difference between MZ and DZ correlation suggests substantial heritability
Heritability cannot be applied to a single individual
It is not constant across time/population - because if the environment changes, then its contribution to
our outcome changes and takes away from the genetic contribution
It is not a precise statistic, it can be distorted by error or unreliability
Behavioral Genetics Methods:
Selective breeding - identifying the dogs that possess the desired characteristic and having them
mate with only other dogs that also possess that characteristic
oUnethical for humans
Twin Studies: Are MZ more similar than DZ? If it is true, then we get an evidence of heritability.
Equal environments assumption (EEA) - "environments for MZ and DZ twins are equally similar" -
to keep things constant but it is not necessarily right because MZ twins are treated differently
(cannot always be recognized, dressed the same way)
Adoption Studies: Resembles adoptive parents (shows environment) and resembles biological
parents (shows genes). Some difficulties might be the child might have difficulty adapting to
adoptive parents that are different from him.
oAssumption of representativeness - adopted kids might not be representative of the
population
oSelective placement - place adopted children with parents that are similar to biological
parents
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Genome: complete set of genes an organism possesses. Polygeny: many genes influence a trait, few are causal. Eugenics - designing the future by fostering reproduction of persons with certain traits and discouraging reproduction of persons with undesirable traits. Molecular genetics is concerned with the structure of the genome and their function. Taking a look at the "novelty seeking" gene, candidate gene studies -- "warrior gene" (maoa). Nature vs nurture - debate exists only at group level. Proportion of phenotypic variance across individuals that"s explained by genetic variance - people differ a lot in the traits that are expressed by them and it is due to their genetic make up. Variability in height - how much variability in the heights of people in the room is due to their genes. Other factors could be - athletic pursuit, nutrition. We use this formula because monozygotic twins share the most genes.
