lesson 3

• Evolutionary Developmental Psychology (EDP)


  A field of study that integrates principles of evolutionary biology with developmental psychology to understand how human psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time
• In evolutionary theory, what matters is that individuals live long enough to reproduce and pass on their characteristics
• Evolution may have favored longevity


  Because having older people around improves the survival rates of babies
• Evolution may have favored longevity


  Possibly having grandparents alive to care for the young while parents were out hunting and gathering food created an evolutionary advantage
• Psychological traits and behaviors


  Adaptations that have evolved because they serve functional purposes in promoting survival and reproduction
• Specific traits that have evolved


  • Attachment
  • Altruism
  • Aggression
  • Language acquisition
• Chromosomes


  Threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, with one member of each pair coming from each parent. Chromosomes contain the genetic substance DNA
• DNA


  A complex molecule that contains genetic information
• Genes


  Segments of DNA that code for specific traits or characteristics
• Genotype


  Genetic constitution of an organism, set of genes it inherits from its parents. It determines the potential range of traits that an organism can develop under specific environmental conditions. It is not directly observable and may include variations in DNA sequences that do not necessarily manifest as visible traits
• Phenotype


  The observable traits or characteristics of an organism, which result from the interaction between its genotype and the environment (height, eye color, hair texture, and physiological functions like blood type, metabolism, and susceptibility to diseases)
• Behavioral genetics


  Field of study that investigates the role of genetics in shaping individual differences in behavior, personality, and psychological traits
• Genetic factors


  Interact with environmental influences to contribute to various behavioral phenotypes
• Gene-environment interactions


  The complex interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental experiences in determining behavioral outcomes
• Environmental factors


  • Parenting style, socioeconomic status, peer relationships, and cultural influences can moderate the expression of genetic predispositions
• Identical Twins (monozygotic twins)


  Develop from a single zygote that splits into two genetically identical replicas, each of which becomes a person. They share 100% of their genetic makeup
• Fraternal twins (dizygotic twins)


  Develop when two eggs are fertilized by different sperm, creating two zygotes that are genetically no more similar than ordinary siblings. They share approximately 50% of their genetic makeup
• Heredity-environment correlations


  Highlight how genetic predispositions interact with environmental experiences to produce observable outcomes
• Types of hereditary-environment correlations


  • Passive correlation
  • Evocative correlation
  • Active correlation (niche-picking)
• Passive correlation


  Occurs when parents provide both genes and environments that are correlated with their own genetic predispositions
• Evocative correlation


  Occurs when an individual's genetically influenced traits produce certain responses or reactions from others in their environment
• Active correlation (niche-picking)


  Occurs when individuals seek out environments that are compatible with their genetic predispositions or interests. Thus, the individual's genetic predisposition guides their selection of environments and experiences, which further influences their development