REVIEWER IN PSYCHOLOGY Made by: Bea Ponce

GENES AND BEHAVIOR

Behavior, whether abnormal or normal, has heredity basis.
Genes play a significant role in everyones life

Coles Study (2007)

Gene activity can be altered by chronic loneliness which can lead to illness.

Respondents high on the UCLA Loneliness Scale showed increase in gene activity which
was linked to inflammation.

Reduced gene activity was associated with anti body production and anti -viral
responses.

Le- Nicolescu (2007)

Depression and mania have biomarkers in the blood.

There are 10 genes that manifest different patterns of activity when a person is
bipolar (having episodes of depression and mania)- (BIPOLAR SYNDROME)

Location of the genes

In the 20th Century

Genes were found to be located on chromosomes

It is the threadllike structures in the nucleus of each cell.

As a human being, you received from your parents 46 pairs of chromosomes.

Within chromosomes are the carriers of hereditary traits, the genes.

Genes act as blueprints for cells. They enable cells to reproduce and manufacture the
proteins needed to sustain life.

Genes can be dominant or recessive.

Dominant genes do not need recessive genes for expression.

A recessive gene finds expression if it pairs with another recessive gene.

Physical traits e.g. having brown or blue eyes, baldness, straight or kinky hair, fair
complexion are determined by a persons genes.
 Complex human characteristics such as personality and intelligence are likely to be
influenced by many different genes.

Polygenic Inheritance is used to describe the influence of multiple genes on behavior.

INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS

Genetics- Branch of biology that deals with patterns of inheritance

Heredity- is the biological process by which parents pass on genetic information to their
offspring through their gametes.

Gregor Mendel- Austrian monk, started the science of genetics by experimenting with pea
plants between 1856- 1868.

Biological Inheritance or Relatedness- probability of sharing characteristics among

relatives

Polygenic Inheritance- occurs when one characteristic is controlled by two or more genes.

Development of an organism is controlled by the action both of heredity and

environment
Heredity (genes) X Environment (where you are born) X Time= Developmental Level
( where you are in)

Up to the time of birth, the organisms development is mainly biological growth process
by heredity.

After birth, learning begins to play in determining new behavior patterns.

Maturation- changes or development are a result of bodily changes determined by heredity

Physiological structures essential for maturity and are functioning at birth or even
earlier.

ENDURING ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY

The longstanding controversy over whether biological inheritance experiential upbringing

plays a greater role in an individuals environment.

NATURE- genetics (who you are) ; NURTURE- environment (how the environment treats you)

Nurture works on what nature endows..

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
- study of physical, emotional,motor, cognitive, and social changes experienced by an
individual all throughout his life span.

PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT

Prenatal period

Development happens quickly during this period

This is the time between conceptual and birth
This period is divided into three stages:
1. Germinal stage
Conception is also the beginning of this period of prenatal
development
Occurs during the first 2 weeks of development (2-3 weeks
pregnancy)
Zygote- the union of the sperm and egg cell
- Moves along the fallopian tube down to the uterus

2. Embryonic stage
This stage of gestation is the period after implantation, during which
all of the major organs and structures within the growing being are
formed.
Gestation- the process of carrying or being carried in the womb
between conception and birth
3. Fetal stage
This stage of development tends to be taken as the beginning at the
gestational age of 11 weeks (9 weeks after fertilization)
9 weeks- genitals are formed
13 weeks- accurate determination of gender and the facial features
are defined
16 weeks- the fetus begins to move since muscles have developed
(most of its bones are cartilage soft connective tissue) ; digestive
system begins to secrete enzymes
 Longitudinal Design- involves examining the developmental changes in relation to
age. Group of people is monitored over a period of time.

- Birth to death (life span)

- Expensive and timely

Cross Sectional Design observing different groups with different developmental

stages.

- Gather different samples from different people

- More practical
38 weeks- full time pregnancy

HEREDITY vs. ENVIRONMENT

Heredity- refers to the inherited physiological, emotional,

intellectual, and social characteristics that make up and individual
Environment- external force that influences the individual

Causes of giving early birth

1. Hypertension
2. Stress
3. Pre-mature Labor
Crowning- release of the head of the baby first during giving of
birth
Sepsis- blood infection
Neonatal ICU- babies are watched here for 24 hours (7 days for a
premature baby)
Breech- when the feet of the baby is on the vaginal canal instead
of the head
Eclampsia (Gestational Diabetes)- a condition in which one or
more convulsions occur in a pregnant woman suffering from high
blood pressure or sugar
Placenta Previa- Placenta is first released rather than the baby
Dry labor- when amniotic fluid dries up
Fonatanel- soft part in the skull of a baby
Proximodistal- from the inside going outside
 Age of reason- 6 or 7

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

Cephalocaudal- motor skills are developed from the head

downward
Proximodistal- development of motor skills from the inside (center
of the body) to the outside

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Rooting Reflex- involuntary movement of the muscles

-Helps to ensure successful breastfeeding on infants

2. Sucking putting something on the infants mouth; latch on the mothers nipples
3. Grasping- to hold onto something
4. Startle- hands shaking
5. Babinski- occurs after the sole of the foot has been firmly stroked

New born baby or infant

Infant- Latin word: Infans meaning unable to speak or

speechless
- Age 1 to 12 months
Newborn- Latin word: Neonate or neonatus
- Refers to infants 28 days after birth

Toddler Age

1 -3 years old
A year of firsts
Great cognitive, emotion and social development
From the word to toddle which means to walk unsteady