PSYC 4010 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Evolutionary Developmental Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Epigenetics

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 4010
• Professor: Tifrah Warner

Document Summary

From darwin to dna: biologically based theories of development. Individual differences, the adaptation of organisms to the environment and a broadening of investigative methodologies. Natural selection missing in developmental psychology. Weak influence of darwinian theory on developmental psychology: phylogeny and ontogeny (differences, methodology, moral values. Researched based on observation, focus on proximate behaviour than ultimate factors. 3 tenets: interspecies comparisons and notion of homology, notion of heritability, adaptation outcomes of evolution. Essence of the approach human is subtenant of genes, selfish gene, homology and hereditary estimates, adaptation and any criticisms in the approach. Criticisms: hereditary estimates problems with this not enough research. Epigenetics interplay between genetic and ecological conditions to determine the phenotype. Reading is a cultural expression of language. Behaviour genetics = a focus on today"s nature/nurture debate. Scarr: genotype-environment correlations rather than gene-environment interactions. Wahlsten importance of the interaction between genes and environment. Too much importance on genetic influences on behaviour (behaviour genetics)