Heredity, Environment, And Human Behavior

Heredity, Environment, And Human Behavior 1. Heredity Factors - Answer: Heredity is when parents pass on certain traits to their offspring. 2. Genes and Traits - Genome: Contains DNA; sequences of DNA called genes control traits in an individual. - RNA: Responsible for coding, decoding, regulating, and performing other functions in a cell, influencing the development of traits. 3. Definitions of Key Terms: - Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual. - Phenotype: The expressed traits in an individual, which can be influenced by multiple genes. 4. Inheritance: - Answer: Traits are inherited from parents, exemplified by dominant and recessive traits (e.g., brown eyes vs. blue eyes). 5. Genetic Influence: - Some diseases (e.g., Huntington's disease, sickle cell anemia) are inherited. Genetic factors may influence personality traits, but the role of the environment in shaping traits like aggression is debated. 6. Environmental Influences: - Physical traits are generally predetermined at birth, but behavioral aspects develop during early childhood, influenced by: - Nutrition: Essential for brain and physical development. - Caregiving and Parenting: Stable environments contribute to healthy development. - Culture: Community and societal values shape behavior and personality. - Education: Early education fosters emotional and cognitive growth. 7. Interaction of Heredity and Environment: - Environmental factors can impact inherent traits; for example, good nutrition influences physical development regardless of genetics. 8. The Heredity vs. Environment Debate: - Both heredity and environment play significant roles in the development of physical, behavioral, and personality traits, shaping an individual during various stages of growth. --- Research and studies have showed that genetics could affect certain behavioral traits and environmental factors influence certain physical traits. Heredity and environment may encroach on each other's domain of dominance. Psychologists who say that heredity plays the dominant role in an individuals development take the side of nature. Others who say that nature/ nurture plays a bigger part in a persons overall growth. The Arguments ️Some psychologists in the nature v. nurture arguement say that all traits are hardwired in our DNA. These psychologists are called Eugenicists. Eugenicists say that some traits arent evident at birth, but they appear later on in life. But the genes for such traits must exist within a person's genome. Eugenicists think that environment and nurture doesn't matter. Other side of the Arguement ️The other side of the argument are called euthenists. These psychologists think that genetics somehow play a role in a person's physical traits, other traits do not depend on the persons genetics. These traits include behavioral traits, personality, and intellect. Certain physical traits are determined to a certain extent after conception. Euthenists think that given a positive environment, everyone has the potential to grow in terms of IQ, behavior, and personality. ALso, kids with certain positive genetic traits may not do so well in adverse conditions.