11.3 Is Personality More Nature or More Nurture? Behavioral and Molecular Genetics

Question 1

gene

Answer 1

• the basic biological unit that transmits characteristics from one generation to the next

Question 2

instincs

Answer 2

• complex inborn patterns of behaviors that help ensure survival and reproduction

Question 3

behavioral genetics

Answer 3

• a variety of research techniques that scientists use to learn about the genetic and environmental influences on human behavior by comparing the traits of biologically and nonbiologically related family members

Question 4

family study

Answer 4

• starts with one person who has a trait of interest—for instance, a developmental disorder such as autism—and examines the individual’s family tree to determine the extent to which other members of the family also have the trait

Question 5

twin study

Answer 5

• the data from many pairs of twins are collected and the rates of similarity for identical and fraternal pairs are compared

Question 6

adoption study

Answer 6

• compares biologically related people, including twins, who have been reared either separately or apart

Question 7

molecular genetics

Answer 7

• the study of which genes are associated with which personality traits

Question 8

knockout study

Answer 8

• researchers use specialized techniques to remove or modify the influence of a gene in a line of “ knockout‖ mice