Behavioural Genetics

• What does 'individual differences' refer to in behavioural genetics?

  Variations in traits among individuals
• What is the quote by Masters about intelligence attributed to?

  Nature for children, nurture for students
• What does behavioural genetics link?

  Genotype to phenotype
• What is the method used in behavioural genetics?

  Correlational method
• What does a correlation measure in behavioural genetics?

  The extent to which two measures co-relate
• What is the range of the correlation coefficient?

  0 to 1
• What does heritability refer to?

  Variation in a trait explained by genetic factors
• What does environmentality refer to?

  Variation in a trait explained by environmental factors
• How is environmentality calculated?

  1 minus heritability
• What can affect heritability estimates?

  Environmental variation
• What are gene-environment correlations?

  How genes influence environmental interactions
• What is an example of gene-environment interaction?

  Gene sensitivity to environmental pathogens
• What do familial studies measure in behavioural genetics?

  The correlation between genes and behaviour
• What is the challenge with measuring environmental similarity?

  It is very difficult to quantify
• What do twin studies aim to do?

  Maximise or minimise environmental similarity
• Who is associated with twin studies in behavioural genetics?

  Francis Galton
• What is the heritability estimate of IQ based on MZ and DZ twins?

  Approximately 0.52
• What do adoption studies aim to do?

  Minimise environmental overlap
• What was significant about the Jim twins study?

  They shared remarkably similar lives
• What concerns arose from Sir Cyril Burt's work?

  Issues with data integrity and sample size
• What did Bouchard estimate for MZ twins reared apart?

  Heritability of IQ at 0.75
• What is the main criticism of the Cyril Burt affair?

  Concerns about data manipulation
• What does heritability measure in populations?

  Proportion of phenotypic variation due to genetics
• What does the statement about heritability of 0.50 imply?

  50% of variation is due to genetic influences
• What are the limitations of heritability estimates?

  • Affected by environmental factors
  • Cannot determine causation
  • Not applicable to individuals