This document discusses the nature vs nurture debate regarding the origins of human behavior and psychological characteristics. It covers several key points: 1) Genetic influences on behavior can be seen through selective breeding experiments, twin studies, and estimates of heritability for personality traits. Genes influence brain structure and function. 2) Environmental influences include physical factors like pollution and social factors like culture, parenting styles, and peer groups. Culture can influence behaviors like assertiveness. 3) There is an interplay between nature and nurture, as genes and environments interact and influence each other. Certain genes may correlate with certain environments. Gene expression can depend on the environment. 4) The document also discusses sex,

1. Nature - Nurture
Dr. Irene Karayianni

2. http://www.acneeinstein.com/does-smoking-cause-acne/ http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/29/what-the-yuck-im-seeing-brown-specks/ http://sports-zine.com/bungee-jumping-thrilling-and-safe/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2539857/Obese-people-not-always-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair unhealthy.html http://12kaky.com/2011/11/26/scholarships-for-tall-people/ http://12kaky.com/2011/11/26/scholarships-for-tall-people/ http://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/may/26/alcohol-hospital-admissions-record-high

3. Image sources
http://www.icare4autism.org/news/2012/08/autism-spectrum-disorder-nature-v-nurture/
Nature Nurture

4. Image sources
http://www.icare4autism.org/news/2012/08/autism-spectrum-disorder-nature-v-nurture/
Nature Nurture
Chromosomes
DNA
Genes

5. Nature: Genetic Influences on Behavior
non human
Image sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Mendel http://queenofallthingsgood.blogspot.gr/2012/07/its-time-to-move-when.html http://media.salon.com/2012/11/shutterstock_57341071-458x307.jpg
Selective breedingMendel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_CnR0Ak604
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaH0Ws8RtSc

6. Nature: Genetic Influences on Behavior
human
Natural experiments  to separate genetic and environmental influences on behavior and mental processes
Image sources
http://www.icare4autism.org/news/2012/08/autism-spectrum-disorder-nature-v-nurture/
- studies of twins:
- monozygotic
- dizygotic
- studies of adopted children
Degree of similarity in IQ scores among various types of twins and siblings

7. Estimates of the extent to which certain personality traits
appear to be determined by heredity
• Extroversion: 61 %
• Conformity: 60 %
• Worry: 55 %
• Creativity: 55 %
• Paranoia: 55 %
• Optimism: 54 %
• Cautiousness: 51 %
• Aggressiveness: 48 %
• Ambitiousness: 46 %
• Intimacy: 33 %
Minnesota Center for Twin and Adoption Research
US News & World Report, April 13, 1987

8. Nature: molecular genetic mechanisms of inheritance
Image sources
http://www.pressenza.com/2013/06/us-supreme-court-genes-cannot-be-patented/
Nucleotides
4 chemical
compounds
located on double
helix of DNA
Adenine, thymine,
guanine, cystine
Inheritance operates through genetic materials, called genes, found in nuclei.
= strands of DNA
segments of DNA on chromosomes that contain info
needed to influence some aspect of the body
Takes form of double helix
Human chromosomes are arranged in 23 pairs

9. Nature: molecular genetic mechanisms of inheritance
Image sources
http://writescience.wordpress.com/tag/mendelian-inheritance/ http://perfumesingapore.net/product/chromosomal-love-hugo-boss-xx-edt-women-and-hugo-boss-xy-edt-men/ http://www.washington.edu/news/2012/11/08/extra-chromosome-21-removed-from-down-syndrome-cell-
dominant gene
Reveals trait when present
recessive gene
Chromosome abnormality
Down syndrome

10. Achoo Syndrome: This dominant trait is also called the photo sneeze reflex. If,
when suddenly exposed to light, you sneeze (usually two or three times) you have
the genes for achoo syndrome.
Free Earlobe: The dominant trait is for lobes to hang free, a bit of lobe hanging
down prior to the point where the bottom of the ear attaches to the head. With
the recessive phenotype, the lobes are attached directly to the head.
Hand Clasping: Clasp your hands together (without thinking about it!). Most
people place their left thumb on top of their right and this happens to be the
dominant phenotype. Now, for fun, try clasping your hands so that the opposite
thumb is on top. Feels strange and unnatural, doesn't it?
Tongue Rolling: If you have the ability to roll the sides of your tongue upwards to
form a closed tube, you have the dominant phenotype for this motor skill. Those
who are not dominant for this trait cannot roll their tongue, no matter how hard
they may try.
Image sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_rolling http://www.quirkology.com/USA/Experiment_AnalyseYourself.shtml http://askabiologist.asu.edu/mendelian-traits-humans http://whatisgenetic.com/tag/beeturia/

11. Nature: molecular genetic mechanisms of inheritance
Genes …
influence how neurons function
determine size and function of every area in the brain
influence structure and function of endocrine glands
influence behavior and psychological lives

12. Image sources
http://www.icare4autism.org/news/2012/08/autism-spectrum-disorder-nature-v-nurture/
Nature Nurture
Physical environment
Psychological / social environment

13. Nurture: Physical environments
• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Alcohol during pregnancy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od13ZcQizWQ
Image sources
http://www.healthymummy.com/pregnancy/alcohol-in-pregancy/ http://www.demotix.com/news/2433098/water-pollution-bangladesh#media-2432921

14. Nurture: Social environments
Image sources
http://www.middlebury.edu/giving/priorities/parents/parentsletter http://psychcentral.com/lib/2012/siblings-dont-have-to-be-rivals http://maozblog.com/israel/living-in-israel-blog-why-you-need-to-make-new-friends/
http://www.innovationinpractice.com/.a/6a00e54ef4f376883401156f749d3b970c-popup

15. Nurture: culture, ethnicity
Culture: patterns of behavior,
beliefs and values shared by a
group of people
Ethnic identity: sense of belonging
to a particular ethnic group
(=group of people who are descendants of
a common group of ancestors)
Image sources
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/hanoi/culture/ http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/wellness/specialpops.cfm

16. Nurture: culture & parenting
Image sources
http://joannagoddard.blogspot.gr/2013/07/10-surprising-things-about-parenting-in.html http://www.ivillage.com/how-raise-assertive-child/6-a-143469
Well behaved
Collectivist cultures
Shyness, inhibition
Individualistic cultures
Assertiveness

17. Image sources
http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/Real-Life-Physics-Vol-3-Biology-Vol-1/Heredity-Real-life-applications.html http://www.virtualmedicalcentre.com/healthandlifestyle/parenting-the-social-environment-and-its-effects-on-child-development/321
http://favim.com/image/106857/
+
Nature Nurture
Also: interplay of nature and nurture: genes & environments working
together to influence psychological characteristics

18. Interplay of Nature and Nurture
Gene – environment correlation
Gene – environment correlation: certain genes and certain environments
occur together more often than would be expected by chance. People who
have a gene that influences a Ψ characteristic also tend to have experiences
that influence the same trait.
• Passive correlation: the person does not have to do anything
to cause genes and environment to correlate.
• Active correlation: genes and environments become
correlated through the actions of the individual, e.g. antisocial
behavior
Image sources
http://alexlesterspersonalblog.blogspot.gr/2012/06/possibly-armchair.html http://housing.appstate.edu/index.php?module=pagesmith&uop=view_page&id=163

19. Interplay of Nature and Nurture
Gene – environment interaction
• Genes influence how experiences work and experiences influence how
genes work. The expression of genes can depend on the environment
– Two people with different genes often respond differently to the same
environment (e.g. maltreated children turn out to be antisocial depending on a gene version.
This gene version is activated if the children are maltreated)
– Gene expression can be variable, depending on the environment
Image sources
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/gene-env/ http://coloradolinkproject.com/assessment-and-intervention/signs-and-symptoms/child-maltreatment/
genesexperiences

20. Sex, gender and human diversity
Image sources
http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/376250012?view_mode=2

21. Sex, gender and human diversity
Image sources
http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/1564550 http://shop.mattel.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=4213484 http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/gba-acs/course-cours/eng/mod01/mod01_04_01.php
• Sex: distinction between males and females based on biological characteristics
• Gender: psychological experience of being male or female
• Gender identity: one’s view of oneself as male or female
• Gender role: all behaviors that are typically masculine or feminine in our
culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hktffOK28c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbt2hnHE_80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NZMJBMUHU8,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG0N13GK8Z4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VqsbvG40Ww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUyfD1F7k1I
masculinity
femininity

22. Gender differences
Image sources
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer769/section16&17/author/clanc051/2011/12/
Language
Verbal memory
Perceptual speed
Fine motor skills
Higher grades in math
Science
Social studies
Spatial reasoning
Mechanical reasoning
cognitive
ability
Emotion
socialbehavior
Nurturing, Friendly
Helpful, Open
Cooperative, Trusting
Anxious
Depressed
Low self esteem
Competitive
Dominant
Assertive
Aggression
Risky behavior
Mating
Prefer older mate
With high earning potential
Of good character
Threatened by emotional infidelity
Restrict sex to potential long term partners
Prefer younger mate
Physically attractive
With good housekeeping skills
Threatened by sexual infidelity
Comfortable with the idea of casual sex for themselves
Sexually jealous and controlling

23. Origins of gender differences
• biological differences that have evolved over thousands of years
• social learning experiences associated with gender roles
• structural differences in the brain
Image sources
http://alfin2100.blogspot.gr/2006/03/peeping- toms-of-neuroscience-no-more.html

24. Sex differences in the brain
Image sources
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer769/section16&17/author/clanc051/2011/12/ http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/02/a-new-push-to-explore-the-brain/
Larger cerebral cortex
Larger right hemisphere than left  spatial
abilities
Larger amygdala  aggression
Larger corpus callosum  greater integration
of 2 hemispheres, higher language skills
Larger hippocampus  everyday memory,
inhibition
the cause of gender differences in cognition and emotion
OR
the result of gender differences in behavior and experience
Sex differences in the brain could be

25. Evolutionary theory
• Are you more likely to fear snakes or potatoes? Why?
• Evolutionary theory of gender differences: Gender differences
became coded in our genes in the distant past because ancestral women
and men faced different pressures
Image sources
http://www.changeinwinnipeg.com/phobia-parties.php http://wildlife-photographs.blogspot.gr/2013/04/Black-Cobra-Snake.html http://home.howstuffworks.com/potatoes.htm

26. Evolutionary theory of gender differences
• pressures created by child care: women were more successful in raising children
when they formed groups, to scare off predators  cooperative, social women
were more likely to be accepted in groups  their children were more likely to
survive and pass their genes
• Can you think of any “pressures” created by hunting? Who had to go hunting?
Why? What skills were important in hunting so they would survive?
• Any critique of evolutionary theory?

27. Social role theory of gender differences
• Each society’s division of labor, and the different social roles that it
creates for men and women, is a force that creates psychological
gender differences
• Expectations of gender differences can create gender differences