PSYC Life Span Development Psychology
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Chapter Two Biological Foundations: Heredity, Prenatal Development,
and Birth
Mechanisms of Heredity: Genotype and Phenotype
▷ Genotype: complete set of genes one has inherited
▷ Phenotype: combination of genotype and environmental influences resulting in the actual expression of traits
○ Physical ○ Behavioral ○ Psychological
Environmental Influences
▷ What/Who has influenced your development?
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Family Influences
1
Bid ire
cti on
al
Inf lue
nc es
2
Dir ec
t In flu
en ce
s
3
Ind ire
ct Inf
lue nc
es
4
Ad ap
tat ion
to Ch
an ge
Socioeconomic Status (SES)
▷ Social Status ○ Years of education ○ Prestige of job and
skill it requires
▷ Economic status: income
How would SES impact family functioning?
Paths from Genes to Behavior
▷ Gene x Environment Interaction
▷ Gene-Environment Correlations
○ Passive ○ Evocative ○ Active (Niche-Picking)
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Gene X Environment Interaction
▷ Individuals respond differently to the same environment because of genetic makeup
▷ Similar response can result from different gene- environment combinations
Example: Stress and Depression
Gene-Environment Correlation
▷ Passive correlation ○ Parents provide
their children with environments influenced by their own heredity
▷ Evocative correlation ○ Children evoke
responses influenced by their own heredity
▷ Active correlation: niche-picking
○ Tendency to actively choose environments that complement heredity
Epigenesis
▷ Development results from bidirectional exchanges between heredity and all levels of environment ○ Genes affect behavior/experiences ○ Experiences/behavior affect gene
expression
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The Epigenetic Framework
Figure 2.7 (Adapted from Gottlieb, 2007.)
Influences on Prenatal Development: General Risk Factors
▷ What are some general risk factors that can effect prenatal development?
▷ What are pregnant women told to avoid? ○ Teratogens can influence prenatal
development