PSY 140 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Human Genome Project, Behavioural Genetics, Dysfunctional Family
Document Summary
Behavior genetics: a section on the nature / nurture controversy of today: evolutionary theory focuses on human race traits in general. Evolution (at least by natural selection) does, however, rely on the presence of individual differences. Imprinting again offers an example, with chicks, for example, being imprinted on objects only if they exhibit those characteristics in terms of size and activity, a function that the mother will perform under normal circumstances. Nonetheless, genes have come to be seen more recently as taking a much more active part in development. She has advocated the notion of the "ordinary expectable environment," whereby genes convey their potential if they presume a "normal" environment. Biological differences within normal range are functionally identical. If the atmosphere is still "natural," there would be no impact on environmental changes such as extra stimulation. These environmental changes can only substantially alter behavioral results if the climate is beyond the context of normality (for example, in dysfunctional families)
