b1 ch6 narrative

differnt levels of explanation
often are complementary

Psychological

Evolutionary Psychologists

What is the fuction of a behavour

Gentical

Behaviour Genetics

How do genes contribute to behaviour

Interaction

Individual variation

Genes

similarities

Environment

Differneces

Epigenessis

environmental factors influence which genes are switched on

Phenotype is the effect of environment on the genotype

Functions of Genes

buiding blocks

producing protetins

Regulation of function

neurotransmitters

hormones

Traits

influenced by single genes

PKU

many are polygenic

Schitzo

Heritabilty (statistics)

The proportaion of phenotypical variation that can be attributed to genetic influences

only for groups

intelligence for white middle class more attriubtable to genetic differnces (similar environment)

changes accross lifespan

increase: likely becaue of selectiviy of environment

Family Studies

Similar Environmments

Varying Gentetic similarity

Mother vs. Uncle

Twin Studies

concordance between MZ vs. DZ

MZ

100%

But: Twins also treated the same

Schitzophrenia

4x higher

75% heritabilty for overactiviy and Attention problems

But: also treated the same

DZ

50%

Adoption studies

What can be attributed to similar environment

sim with adopt

sim with natural

What is evolution

Heredity

Selection

Variation

EEA

We are adapted to Hunter Gatherer Enviromnemt

Evolved Modules (psychological processes)

that brought advantages

language

facec recogn

Evolutionary dev. psychology

What is the function of aspects of behav.

Bowlby

Attachment: to bond with carer for protection and learning

But:

Cannot be tested

Recognizes environment as important

but goals and individual cog. processes

Function of Extended Childhood?

unclear why humand need longer development (not prepared for immediate survival after birth)

Some of the functions are hard to assotiate with adult survival

indirect

Immediate effects
(beneficial to survival of child )

sucking relex

survival of baby

Play

but serves the process of development itself

muscle dev. to get to the next stage

Greary + Bjorklund

cog and soci. traits lead to survival at all stages of developement

Immaturity beneficial to development itself

Memory dev.

Short WM

Better langauage learning in short chunks

Ratner: Egocentrical behviour

Leads to better event memory

Bandura: Overestimation

leads to trying out more and perseverance

Preparation of adutlhood

Play

doll play

prep for motherhood

Increased agressiveness in males

protect family

promotes social skills

Als

Speeding up development can result in impairment

Function of Modules

social interaction

TOM

Built in 4 stages

humand as intentional

Eyemovement detector

not: shared attention ...

... leading to TOM

Expetation: Mechanisms to engage in and learn social interaction

reciprocity

symmetire

Berndt+Ladd

Close friends are more similar

critique overestimation of envriornment / underestimation of culture

Pinker

Evolution brought about abilities for cultural transmission (i.e. learingn and teaching)

example

how genetic prefs for baby featurs drive evolution of teddybears

Rat studies

Tyron: Maze Dull / maze bright studie

Cooper

Maze dull raised in rich environment performed as well as maze bright

Genes

Single Gene

PKU

amnio acid can not be metabolized and lead to cogntive impairment

But: Env: Diet can prevent this

Polygenic

Williams Sydrome

distinct facial features

psychological features

cognitive impairment

weak semantics

But: Karmilloff-Smitt

Take other developmental route

different cognitive processing is used to arrive at similar outcome

i.e. face processing module

developmental plasiticty

Genes contribute to the likelyness of a certain developmental path

complex and progressive

early defects: less specific outcomes

specific defects: can come from subtle genetic influences

hearing problem because of a gene coding for fibre rigidity.

Envrionment (i.e. Peers) more important for individual differndes

Interaction

Gentotgype/ Phenotype interaction (PKU)

Temperament creates environment

Testing embrios for genetical disposotion

Creating embrios for treating a sick brother

Gene therapy leading to death