Interaction of Heredity and Environment Chapter Notes | AP Psychology - Grade 11 PDF Download

Introduction

The study of heredity and environment explores how our genes and surroundings work together to shape our behaviors, traits, and abilities. This chapter examines the interplay of nature (genetics) and nurture (experiences) in determining who we are. It covers how evolutionary psychology explains behaviors shaped by natural selection and discusses research methods like twin, family, and adoption studies that help separate genetic and environmental influences. The chapter emphasizes that nature and nurture interact constantly, influencing aspects like personality, intelligence, and mental health, while avoiding specific genetic terms like DNA or chromosomes, as they are not tested on the AP Psychology exam.

Heredity and Environment: The Core Interaction

• Genes and environment interact to shape traits, abilities, and behaviors.
• Genes provide the biological blueprint for development.
• Experiences and surroundings modify how genes are expressed.
• Evolutionary psychology studies how natural selection shapes human behavior over time.
• Twin, family, and adoption studies help separate genetic and environmental influences.

Heredity and Environment Interaction

Nature vs Nurture Factors

Development is shaped by both genetic inheritance and environmental influences. Genes determine basic characteristics, while environment shapes their expression.

Key Genetic Influences

• Physical traits like eye color, height, and facial features.
• Predispositions to specific abilities and behaviors.
• Aspects of intelligence and personality.

Environmental Influences

• Family dynamics and parenting styles impact development.
• Educational experiences shape learning and growth.
• Cultural context and social interactions influence behavior.
• Life events and personal experiences contribute to who we become.

Nature and Nurture Interplay

• Genes and environment constantly interact during development.
• Each influences how the other is expressed, creating a dynamic relationship.
• AP Psych exam does not test specific genetic concepts like genotypes, phenotypes, DNA, chromosomes, or dominant/recessive genes.

Evolutionary Perspective on Behavior

Evolutionary psychology examines how natural selection shapes behavior for survival and reproduction. Explains persistent behavioral tendencies in humans.

Key behaviors influenced include:

• Basic survival instincts and fears.
• Mate selection preferences.
• Social bonding behaviors.
• Aggressive and competitive tendencies.

Misuses of evolutionary concepts:

• Eugenics movements used evolution to justify discrimination.
• Social Darwinism supported inequality and oppression.
• Some evolutionary arguments have been misused to promote harmful stereotypes.

Research Methods for Genetic Effects

Twin Studies

• Compare identical twins (100% shared genes) and fraternal twins (about 50% shared genes).
• Analyze environmental similarities and differences between twin pairs.
• Help determine genetic contributions to behavior and mental processes.

Family Studies

• Track traits across generations to identify inheritance patterns.
• Compare relatives with varying degrees of genetic similarity.
• Provide insights into how traits are passed down in families.

Adoption Studies

• Compare adopted children to biological and adoptive families.
• Help separate genetic influences from environmental ones.
• Valuable for studying the inheritance of traits like intelligence and personality.