Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Twin, Twin Study, Environmental Factor

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Our physical development, including the development of the nervous system, is in large part directed by an elaborate genetic blueprint passed on to us by our parents. These biological characteristics set limits on our behavioural capabilities but, our genetic endowment combines with environmental forces to determine our behaviour. Psychologists working in the field of behaviour genetics study the ways in which favourable or unfavourable environmental conditions can affect the genetically inherited potential of an organism. Genotype: the specific genetic makeup of an individual present from conception and never change. Phenotype: the observable characteristics produced by that genetic endowment can be affected by other genes and by the environment. For example, geneticists have discovered that chickens have retained the genetic code for teeth. Yet, because the code is prevented from being expressed, hens" teeth remains an expression for scarcity. Genes: the dna portion of the chromosome carries the hereditary blueprint in units.