Title: Human Behavior
1Human Behavior
- Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity
2Our behavior is often characterized as human
nature.
- What do we mean by human nature?
- How might a psychologist go about identifying the
traits of human nature?
3In a culture that emphasizes our differences, we
sometimes forget just how similar we are
4Brainstorm and list all the universal behaviors
(behaviors shared among all cultures) that you
can think of
- communicate both verbally and nonverbally
- Enforce rules of etiquette
- Avoid incest
- Fear snakes / heights
- Exchange gifts
- Modesty in sexual behavior and bodily functions
- Labor divided by age and sex
- Men- more aggressive than women
- Women provide more child care
- Tools for work
- Belief systems- death, disease
- Plan for the future
- Taboos- crimes and legal punishments
- Marriage
- Laugh / smile / mimic / joke / flirt / sympathize
/ tease / dance / - Music /Myths / folklore / poetry
- Games
- War
5In a world of such diverse cultures, why do so
many universal behaviors exist?
- Genetic similarities / shared DNA
6Just how similar are we?
- (True or False)
- Fraternal twins are no more genetically similar
than normal siblings. - If after a worldwide catastrophe only Icelanders
or Kenyans survived, the human species would
suffer a huge reduction in its genetic diversity. - We share 99.9 of our DNA with our neighbor!
(Near clones!) - We are the leaves of one tree.
7Nature, Nurture and Human Diversity
- Essential Question What ultimately shapes our
behavior? - Topics of Study
- The Influence of genes Behavioral Genetics
- Evolutionary Psychology and Natural Selection
- Nurture and Early Development
8Nature v. Nurture
- Recognizing the difference
- Sugar and spice and everything nice, thats what
little girls are made of - Handsome is as handsome does.
- Like father like son.
- You cant teach an old dog new tricks.
- Boys will be boys.
- You are what you eat.
- Blood will tell.
- All men are created equal.
9Genetics and BehaviorGetting started..
- We know that both nature and nurture weave
together to shape our behavior. - Its easy to prove that nurture influences
behavior, but how could we devise a way to prove
that genetics influences our behavior?
10- Read carefully pages 95-102
- 1. Identify the following and explain how they
collectively influence behavior. - chromosomes, DNA, genes, gene complexes
- Explain specifically how studies contrasting
fraternal and identical twins have helped prove
that genetics influence individual behavior. - The case studies of Jim Lewis / Springer and
Oscar Sohr / Jack Yufe (identical and separated
at birth) provide evidence that genetics
influences behavior. Explain specifically the
strengths and weaknesses of these studies.
11Behavior Genetics(Text Question 1)
- Study individual behavioral differences. (weigh
effects of nature, nurture) - Chromosomes 23 / egg, 23 / sperm (threadlike
structures) - Composed of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- Genes 30,000 each / self-replicating units,
synthesize proteins, (the building blocks of
physical development - Gene complexes many genes acting in concert
- Genes Influence physical make-up, intelligence,
aggressiveness, happiness etc.
12Behavior Genetics
13Fraternal, Identical TwinsWhats the difference?
- Fraternal (dizygotic)
- Separate fertilized eggs (50 shared genes- no
more genetic similarity than normal siblings) - Identical (Monozygotic)
- Single fertilized egg split in two clones
- (100 shared genes)
14Fraternal vs. Identical
15Fraternal v. Identical
16Fraternal vs. Identical (2)
- Fraternal / Identical twin study findings-
provide specifics for the following - Alzheimers
- Identical 60 / Fraternal30
- Extraversion / neuroticism
- Identical more similar than fraternal
- Divorce rates
- Identical x5.5 vs. fraternal x1.6
- Schizophrenia
- 50, 10, 3, 1 (identical, fraternal, sibling,
stranger) - What are the limitations of these studies?
- Genetics or environment? How do we
differentiate?
17Twin StudiesJim Lewis / Springer
- What does the study suggest? (3)
18Jim an Jim
- 37 days after birth
- Romantic- love notes to wife
- Son James, dog Toy, wife Linda
- Woodworking (same bench in front yard)
- Chevy, stock car racing, Miller Lite
- Vasectomy, high blood pressure, chain smoker
- migraines
19The Bouchard Minnesota Twin Study
- Are You a Natural- (handout questions)
20Gerald Levy and Mark NewmanSeparated at Birth
21Levy and Newman
- Bouchards Minnesota Twin Study
- Reunited by shared acquaintance
- Upon meeting for first time
- Same mustache, sideburns, glasses
- Levey college degree in forestry- Newman planned
to but worked for city trimming trees - Levey worked installing sprinker systems, Newman
installed fire alarms - Both were bachelors, same taste in women
- Both only drank Budweiser (pinky wrapped
underneath can, crushed can afterwards) - Hunting, fishing, beach, John Wayne movies,
pro-wrestling, Chinese food in wee hours - Volunteer firefighters
- Both raised Jewish, neither particularly
religious - When met- same remarks, at same time, same
gestures- spooky - He is he and I am I, and we are one
22Genetics and Behavior
- Why has genetics not been given more
consideration as a determiner of personality and
behavior? - 2nd ½ of 20th century behaviorisms dominance
- Experience as primary architect of human
behavior - Invisible genetics- cant see, touch or
remember the influence - Determinism- compromises free will
- Nurture gives parents measure of confidence- can
control outcome - Bad, ineffective behavior can be unlearned
- Why bother? Genetic argument reduces free will,
cornered by determinism - That boy was born to act that way!
- Reality Both play critical role in who you are!
23Adoption Studies (5)
24What insight has adoption studies provided
regarding the influence of genetics on
personality? (5)
- Environmental relatives / biological Relatives
- Finding subjects personality reflected
biological relatives, even when adopted at birth - Conclusion people who grow up together dont
resemble each other in personality - Why are two people raised together so
different??? - Confirmation of genes impact on personality
25Environmental Influence
- So what traits does nurture influence?
- Values
- Manners
- Faith / religion
- Politics
- Social views
26Heritability (6)
- Extent to which difference between individuals
can be attributed to genes - As environments become more similar, heredity as
a source of difference becomes more important
(and vice versa) - Heritable differences dont often translate to
group differences
27Temperament (7)
- Our emotional excitability
- Temperament traits tend to remain consistent
through life - Studies confirm
- Genetic temperament helps form enduring
personality - Think of two examples of those you know.
28Nature and Nurture
- Genes are self-regulating (respond and adapt to
environment) - Individual differences almost always the result
of both nature and nurture - Gene and scene dance together
- Or, nurture works on what nature endows
29Molecular Genetics (8)
- Identify specific genes influence on behavior
- Weight, extraversion, sexual orientation
- LD, depression, schizophrenia, alcoholism
- Designer babies?!?!
30Human Nature?
- Why do infants start to fear strangers about the
time they become mobile? - Why are most parents so passionately devoted to
their children? - Why do so many more people have phobias about
spiders and snakes than guns and electricity? - Why are men quicker to perceive friendliness as
sexual interest?
31Evolutionary Psychology
- Premise
- (Darwins ) natural selection shapes our
behavior, thinking (over time) - Certain traits, behaviors that enhance survival
are passed on over generations
32Dmitry Belyaev Domestication of Foxes
33Belyaevs Experiment
- 30 males, 100 females
- Tamest 5 M, 20 F
- 30 generations
- Complete domestication
- Now sold as house pets
- Implications?
- When certain traits are selected that give a
reproductive advantage, those traits will prevail
34Evolutionary Psychology
- For the most part, evolutionary psychology helps
to explain our similarities. (Universal
behaviors) - But it also helps explain some key differences.
35Gender and Sexuality
- On the issue of sex, would you characterize the
attitudes and behaviors of men and women to be
generally the same, or different? Explain and
provide examples.
36Gender and Sexual Attitudes / Behavior
- Studies
- 1978, FSU- research assistants / proposals for
casual sex with strangers - 75 of men- yes 0 of women- yes
- Questionnaire casual sex with different partners
- 48 of men- yes 12 of women- yes
- How can we explain this radical difference in
sexual attitudes between the genders?
37Gender Differences and SexualityNatural
selection would suggest that each gender pursued
attitudes and behaviors that perpetuated their
survival, and thus became part of our DNA over
time.
- Women- relational
- Incubates, nurses one infant
- Wants protection, assistance to ensure childs
survival - Chooses wisely
- Men- recreational
- Perpetuate his genes (spread his genes through
other females) - Chooses widely
38Gender and AttractionStudy spanned 37 cultures
- Men (attracted to)
- Youthful, healthy, fertile
- Waists 1/3 size of hips
- Many children- genes to future
- Women (attracted to..)
- Mature, dominant, bold, affluent
- Support and protect
- Long- term mating, investment in joint-offspring
39Gender Differences and Sexuality
- Significance?
- Nature selects behaviors that increase the
likelihood of sending ones genes into the
future.
40In Conclusion
- 4 important gender differences in human sexuality
(Comprehensive Study Letitia Anne Peplau) - 1. Men show greater sexual desire than women
- 2. Women tend to emphasize committed
relationships as a context for sexuality (more
so than men) - 3. Aggression is more closely linked to sexuality
for men than women (powerful, domineering,
experienced, individualistic) - 4. Womens sexuality shows greater plasticity
(attitudes, behaviors about sex more easily
shaped by cultural, social factors) - Example college (liberalizes womens attitude
towards sex more than mens) - Chance of men identifying as gay or bisexual x2
- Chance of women identifying as lesbian or
bisexual x900!
41Evolutionary Psychology
- From an evolutionary psychology perspective, how
might we explain marriage?
42Nature, Nurture and Gender
- Gender Development
- Male, Female- What determines the gender?
- 23rd pair of chromosomes determine sex
- FemaleX, Male X or Y
43Glad to be your gender?
- Men
- X4 to commit suicide, alcoholism
- Autism, color blindness, hyperactivity,
antisocial personality disorder
- Women
- 70 more fat
- 40 less muscle
- 5 inches shorter
- Puberty 2 years earlier
- Live 5 years longer
- X2 for depression, anxiety
- X10 for eating disorders
44Gender and Aggression
- Males tend to be more physically aggressive
- Male-female arrest rate for murder
- U.S. 9-1
- Canada 7-1
45Gender and Social Power
- Universal pattern Men are more socially dominant
- Men as leaders- more direct, autocratic, express
opinions - Women as leaders- more open, democratic, offer
support
46Gender and Social Behavior
- Males
- Individualists
- Boys larger play groups (activity focus)
- Male Answer Syndrome
- Freedom, self-reliance
- Females
- Interdependent (relationships)
- Girls smaller groups (often one friend) less
competitive, imitate social relationships - 85 of greeting cards!
- More religiously oriented
47Boys, girls and toysNature or Nurture?
- Why do genders choose what they do?
48Nature and Gender
- Prenatal Months
- 7th week develop male, female anatomical
distinctions - 4th, 5th month Ovarian hormones, testosterone
influence different brain development - Studies
- Hines and Alexander Texas AM- Velvet monkeys
- 1 day old infants video friendly face or
mechanical mobile - 1 yr. old infants films faces or cars
- Evidence suggests cognitive differences upon birth
49Gender Differences and the Brain
- New evidence structural, chemical and functional
differences between genders and brains - Females thicker frontal lobe (verbal fluency)
- Males thicker parietal Cortex (space perception)
- Potential need for sex-specific treatments for
addictions, depression, schizophrenia etc.
50Nurture and Gender
- Nurture influences our sense of gender by
- Gender identity (cultures sense of being male or
female) - Gender-typing casting, assigning traditional
gender roles - Gender-Schema theory mental associations we make
influence how we perceive gender in other issues - Social learning theory (Observation, imitation)
51Genes rule??
- In terms of personality, environmental factors
typically account for less than 10 of childrens
differences. (Key is how parents and peers
influence those traits.)
52Parenting the Genetic Code
- Explain how one might address the following
genetic traits for productive outcomes - sluggish, unresponsive, temperament as 3 month
old - Imaginative, slightly hyperactive, ADD high
school student
53What / Who has shaped you?
- List the eight behavioral traits that most
reflect your personality. For each, indicate
which of the following has been most influential
in shaping that trait. - Parents
- Peers
- Genes
- Results? Which factor do you think most
influential?
54Prenatal Environment
- Studies indicate that identical twins who share
the same placenta are more similar in
psychological traits than those twins that dont.
55Nurture and Early Neural Development
- Early experience matters!
- Fosters neural connections
- Experience preserves activated neural connections
- Unused ones degenerate (pruning)
- Excess connectors in youth make kids more
capable of mastering certain tasks. - Example?
- Foreign language, (Accent and grammar) visual
perception, musical instruments
56Rat Studies
- Rosenzweig and Krech
- Isolated, impoverished vs. social, enriched
environment - Young rats
- Findings
- Obvious differences in behavioral activity and
curiosity - Heavier, thicker brain cortex (brain weight
increased 7-10 percent and of synapses
increased 20!)
57Premature Babies
- Neonatal units
- Massage therapy stimulates growth
- Speeds departure from hospital
58Parents Influence
- Genes determine human traits (personality)
- Parents influence helps determine how those
traits are expressed! - Genome gives the basic plot, the parent gives it
its tone, accent and emphasis. - IOW- It starts with the kid, and the parents
pick up on it. - Implications are huge for parenting (shaping
genetic traits to be productive ones)
59Peer Influence
- True or False
- Preschoolers who disdain a certain food despite
parents efforts will often eat the food at a
table of peers who like it. - A child who hears English spoken with one accent
at home and another in the neighborhood and at
school will invariably adopt the accent of his
peers and not his parents.
60Parents vs. Peers
- Parents
- Education
- Discipline
- Responsibility
- Orderliness
- Charitableness
- Dealing with authority
- Peers
- Cooperation
- Popularity
- Styles of interaction
61Nurtures SwayCultural Influences
- Individualism
- Self Independent
- Life Task Discover, express ones uniqueness
- What matters Me, personal achievement, rights,
freedoms, self-esteem - Coping method change reality
- Relationships Many, often temporary,
confrontation acceptable - Behavior Reflects ones personality, attitude
- Collectivism
- Self Interdependent
- Life Task fit in, perform role, obligations
- What matters Us, group goals, family duty,
social responsibility - Coping method Accommodate to reality
- Relationships Few, close and long term, harmony
valued - Behavior social norms and roles
62Cultural Influences