Nature Vs. Nurture


  1. Describe the composition and physical location of genes.

  2. Discuss the impact of evolutionary history on genetically predisposed behavior tendencies.

  3. Identify gender differences in sexual behavior, and describe and evaluate evolutionary explanations for these differences.

  4. Describe how twin and adoption studies help us differentiate heredity and environmental influences on human traits.

  5. Discuss how differences in human temperament illustrate the effect of heredity on development.

  6. Discuss the potential promise and perils of molecular genetics.

  7. Explain why we should be cautious about attributing children's success and failures to parental influence.

  8. Explain how twins may experience different prenatal environments, and describe the effect of experience on brain development.

  9. Describe how development is influenced by the individual's peer group and culture.

  10. Explain how biological sex is determined and describe the role of sex hormones in biological development and gender differences.

  11. Discuss the importance of gender roles, and explain how social and cognitive factors contribute to gender identity and gender typing.


Key Vocabulary: chromosomes, DNA, genes, genome, natural selection, mutations, evolutionary psychology, gender, behavior genetics, environment, identical twins, fraternal twins, temperament, heritability, interaction, molecular genetics, culture, norm, personal space, x chromosome, y chromosome, testosterone, role, gender role, gender identity, gender-typing, social learning theory, gender schema theory.