(See related pages)
Below are the key terms featured in this chapter. The textbook's full glossary is also available for online searching.
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| Active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations | Correlations that exist when children seek out environments that they find compatible and stimulating |
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| Adoption study | A study to discover whether adoptive children are more like their adoptive parents or their biological parents |
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| Behaviour genetics | The study of the degree and nature of behaviour’s basis in heredity |
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| Canalization | The process by which characteristics take a narrow path or developmental course |
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| Chromosomes | They are threadlike structures that come in 23 pairs, one member of each pair coming from each parent; they contain the genetic substance DNA |
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| DNA | A complex molecule that contains genetic information |
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| Down syndrome | A chromosomally transmitted form of mental retardation caused by an extra chromosome |
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| Evocative genotype-environment correlations | Correlations that exist when the child’s genotype elicits certain types of physical and social environments |
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| Evolutionary psychology | Emphasizes that behaviour is related to survival and reproduction |
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| Fragile X syndrome | A genetic disorder involving an abnormality in the X chromosome, which often breaks |
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| Genes | Units of hereditary information composed of DNA |
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| Genotype | A person’s genetic heritage; the actual genetic material |
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| Klinefelter syndrome | A chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra X chromosome |
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| Meiosis | The process by which cells divide into gametes |
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| Mitosis | The process by which each chromosome in the cell's nucleus duplicates itself |
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| Nonshared environmental experiences | The child’s own unique experiences that are not shared by another sibling |
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| Passive genotype-environment correlations | Correlations that exist when the natural parents provide a rearing environment for the child |
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| Phenotype | The way in which an individual's genotype is expressed |
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| Phenylketonuria (PKU) | A genetic disorder in which an individual cannot properly metabolize an amino acid; if left untreated, results in mental retardation |
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| Reaction range | The range of possible phenotypes for each genotype |
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| Reproduction | The process that begins when a female ovum is fertilized by a male sperm |
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| Shared environmental experiences | Children’s common environmental experiences that are shared with their siblings |
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| Sickle-cell anemia | A genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells; occurs most often in people of African descent |
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| Tay-Sachs disease | A fatal genetic disorder that starts in the fetus and causes death, usually by age five |
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| Turner syndrome | A chromosome disorder in which females are missing an X chromosome |
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| Twin study | The behavioural similarity of identical twins is compared with fraternal twins |
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| XYY syndrome | A chromosomal disorder in which males have an extra Y chromosome |
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| Zygote | A single cell formed when an ovum is fertilized by a sperm |