 | Term | Definition |
| |
Chromosomes |
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes |
| |
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) |
A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes |
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Genes |
The biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosoms; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein |
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Genome |
The complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes |
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Natural Selection |
The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed of to succeeding generations |
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Mutations |
Random errors in gene replication that lead to a change in the sequence of nucleotides; the source of all genetic diversity |
| |
Evolutionary Psychology |
The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection |
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Gender |
The characteristics, whether biologically or socially influenced, by which people define male and female |
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Behavior Genetics |
The study of the relative power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior |
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Environment |
Every nongenetic influence, from prenatal nutrition to the people and things around us |
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Identical Twins |
Twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, genetically identical organisms |
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Fraternal Twins |
Twins who develop from separate eggs, but are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters |
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Temperament |
A person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity |
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Heritability |
The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes |
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Interaction |
The effect of one factor depends on another factor |
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Molecular Genetics |
The subfield of biology that studies the molecular structure and function of genes |
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Culture |
The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next |
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Norm |
An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior and are considered "proper" behavior |
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Personal Space |
The buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies |
| |
Memes |
Self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from person to person |
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X Chromosome |
The sex chromosome found in men and women; females have two x chromosomes, males have one |
| |
Y Chromosome |
The sex chromosome found only in males, when paired with and X sex chromosome from the mother it produces a male child |
| |
Testosterone |
The most important of the male sex hormones, both males and females have it, but the additional amount in males enables the growth of the male sex organs |
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Role |
A set of expectations about a social position, defining how those in the position out to behave |
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Gender Role |
A set of expected behaviors for males and for females |
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Gender Identity |
One's sense of being male or female |
| |
Gender-typing |
The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role |
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Social Learning Theory |
The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished |
| |
Gender Schema Theory |
The theory that children learn from their cultures a concept of what it means to be male and female and that they adjust their behavior accordingly |
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