PSYC 300 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism, Brain Structure And Function, Autonomic Nervous System
Document Summary
Behavioral genetics: studies the degree to which genes & environmental factors influence behavior, e. g. 40% of variability in iq is due to genetic variations, e. g. being poor is bad on iq but being rich doesn"t affect iq. Sequence of genes: single nucleotide polymorphism (snp): difference between people in a single nucleotide, most common polymorphism, studied for schizophrenia, autism & mood disorders. Knockout studies: taking specific genes out of animals. Reciprocal gene-environment interaction: genes predispose us to seek out certain environments that in turn influence expression of genes, e. g. teen girls with genetic vulnerability for depression more likely to experience events that can trigger depression. Neuroscience paradigm: psychopathology is linked to aberrant processes in the brain, depression: neurotransmitter problems, anxiety disorders: autonomic nervous system problems, dementia: impairments in brain structures. 5 components: neurons & neurotransmitters, brain structure & function, neuroendocrine system, immune system, autonomic nervous system.