 | Term | Definition |
| |
chromosomes |
threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes |
| |
DNA |
a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes. (A DNA molecule has two strands--forming a "double helix"--held together by bonds between pairs of nucleotides |
| |
genes |
the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein |
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genome |
the complete instructions of making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in its chromosomes. The human genome has 3 billion weakly bonded pairs of nucleotides organized as coiled chains of DNA |
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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 on to succeeding generations |
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mutations |
random errors in gene replication that leads to a change in the sequence of nucleotides; the source of all genetic diversity |
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evolutionary psychology |
the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection. Natural selection is presumed to have favored genes that predisposed behavior tendencies and information-processing systems that solved adaptive problems faced by our ancestors, thus contributing to the survival and spread of their genes |
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gender |
in psychology, 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, creating two genetically identical organisms. |
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fraternal twins |
twins who develop from separate eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment |
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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. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied |
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interaction |
the effect of one factor (such as environment) depends on another factor (such as heredity) |
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molecular genetics |
the subfields 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 behaviors. Nor prescribed "proper " behavior |
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personal gaze |
the buffer zone we like to maintain around our bodies |
| |
memes |
self-replicating ideas, fashions, and innovations passed from one person to person |
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X chromosome |
the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two X chromosomes; males have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female |
| |
Y chromosome |
the sex chromosome found only in males. When paired with an X sex chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child |
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testosterone |
the most important of male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone it males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty |
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role |
a set of expectations(norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought 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 |
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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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