PSYCH 115 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Eric Kandel, Phenylketonuria, Psychopathology
Document Summary
Dominant genes that only require one of the genes to be expressed in the. Recessive genes require both pairs of genes in order to express a certain trait. Both parents must pass the genes to their offspring. Genes determine parts of physical and mental characteristic offspring. Phenotype: how the gene is physically expressed. Genotype: genetic status and particular alleles that dictate what is expressed in an individual. Development and behavior is almost always polygenetic. Generally speaking, genes account for less than 50% of variations in psychopathology. Other things are affecting behaviors that are not accounted for by genetic make up. New developments in the study of genes and behavior. One study: heritability estimates ranged from ~30 to 60% for cognitive traits. Adverse life events can trump the influence of genes. Example: if only one identical twin experiences a traumatic life event, the twins; cognitive abilities may be more discrepant later.
