Question 1

The tendency for development to be genetically restricted to a few pathways which can only be deflected by an intense environmental push is a description of

Accepted Answer

Canalization describes the phenomenon where development is guided by genetic pathways that are resistant to environmental influence, and can only be altered by extreme environmental circumstances. This means that development follows a set trajectory that is pre-programmed by genetic factors, making it difficult for the environment alone to change the outcome.

Question 2

A behavior geneticist conducted a study comparing the political values of identical and fraternal twins. He found that both sets of twins were equally similar in their political values. What can the researcher infer?

Accepted Answer

If identical and fraternal twins show equal similarity in political values, it suggests that shared environmental factors, rather than genetic factors, have a stronger influence on these values.

Question 3

Which type of genetic-environmental interaction includes the idea that parents with certain genetic predispositions create a home environment that suits the inherited predispositions of the child?

Accepted Answer

Passive gene-environment interaction occurs when biological parents provide both genes and environment to the child. The child has no control over the environment provided by the parents. For example, parents with a musical talent may create a home environment that encourages the child to learn music. The child inherits the musical talent from the parents and is more likely to excel in music.

Question 4

In Gottlieb's developmental systems view, an individual's genes are part of an overall system and the expression of those genes

Accepted Answer

According to Gottlieb's developmental systems view, an individual's genes are part of an overall system and the expression of those genes is affected by events at other levels of the system. This means that environmental factors, experiences, and interactions with others can also play a role in gene expression and shaping developmental outcomes. Therefore, genes are not the only determinants of development, but rather operate in conjunction with other factors that influence how they are expressed.

Question 5

Which of the following is the focus of behavior geneticists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is the focus...

Question 6

Babbling is an example of a process that is _________, while intelligence is __________ .

Accepted Answer

Babbling is an example of a highly canalized process, meaning it is largely genetically programmed and occurs in a similar way across individuals, regardless of the environment. Intelligence, on the other hand, is not highly canalized, as it can vary significantly based on both genetic and environmental factors.

Question 7

The statement that children influence their parents is most comparable to which type of genetic-environmental interaction?

Accepted Answer

Children who demonstrate certain characteristics or behaviors evoke certain responses from their parents, leading to a bidirectional influence. This type of genetic-environmental interaction is called evocative.

Question 8

The research finding that shows certain behavioral genotypes to be more strongly shown in adolescence than in childhood supports the idea of

Accepted Answer

Niche picking refers to the process by which individuals select environments or experiences that complement their genetic predispositions, which can lead to the stronger expression of certain behaviors or traits during different life stages, such as adolescence.

Question 9

While you were growing up, your parents often preferred staying at home on the weekends, watching television, and reading, over socializing with others outside the family. You had a tendency to be shy and introverted, so you also enjoyed these types of activities and continued these activities even as an adult. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of passive genetic-environmental interaction, where the environment provided by the parents aligns with the child's genetic tendencies, reinforcing those traits.

Question 10

When Robert is placed in an enriched environment, he flourishes and learns very quickly. When he is placed in a deprived environment he shows signs of severe developmental delays. Robert is said to have a wide

Accepted Answer

The concept of range of reaction suggests that individuals have varying levels of potential for development, and their environment plays a role in shaping that potential. Robert's ability to flourish in an enriched environment and struggle in a deprived one suggests that he has a wide range of reaction.

Question 11

Researchers can infer that a trait is largely influenced by genes if

Accepted Answer

Identical twins share 100% of their genetic material, while fraternal twins share only about 50%. Therefore, if identical twins show more resemblance in a trait compared to fraternal twins, it suggests that genetics plays a larger role in the expression of that trait.

Question 12

Niche picking refers to

Accepted Answer

Niche picking refers to the process of actively seeking and creating an environment that matches one's individual preferences, interests, and abilities. This can happen for both children and adults, and involves a degree of agency and autonomy in shaping one's environment.

Question 13

Twins who are created by the separation of the zygote following fertilization of a single egg by a single sperm are known as

Accepted Answer

Twins created by the separation of the zygote following fertilization of a single egg by a single sperm are monozygotic, also known as identical twins. B is incorrect because dizygotic refers to twins that come from two separate eggs that were fertilized by two separate sperm, also known as fraternal twins. C is also incorrect because fraternal refers to the same thing as dizygotic twins. D is incorrect because mutants are not an accurate scientific classification for twins.

Question 14

The process whereby the genetic factors set boundaries on an individual's possible responses to the environment is known as

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is called range of reaction. The genetic factors determine the upper and lower limits (range) of an individual's possible responses to environmental factors.

Question 15

When behavior geneticists conduct adoption studies, they usually compare the characteristics of adopted children to those of

Accepted Answer

Behavior geneticists conducting adoption studies compare the characteristics of adopted children to those of their adopted and biological parents to determine the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to the observed traits. This allows them to separate the influence of genetics from the effects of the shared and non-shared environments.

Question 16

The primary concern for human behavior geneticists is

Accepted Answer

Human behavior geneticists are primarily concerned with understanding the genetic contributions to variations in individual differences found throughout the human lifespan. This includes studying the heritability of traits such as intelligence, personality, and psychopathology, as well as understanding how environmental factors interact with genetics to shape behavior. While identifying single genes that cause changes in behavior and understanding chromosomal errors are important areas of study in genetics, they are not the primary focus of human behavior geneticists. Similarly, while personality characteristics are known to have genetic components, identifying the specific genetic material involved in transmitting these characteristics is not the primary concern of this field.

Question 17

Two infants are adopted by a family. They are the same age and are adopted at the same time but are not biologically related. Research supports which of the following statements?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that while siblings who are not biologically related may have similar characteristics during early and middle childhood due to their shared environment, they may become less similar in adolescence due to niche picking. As they age, they may develop different interests, friendships, and experiences that shape their personalities differently. This is supported by the theory of gene-environment interaction, which suggests that individuals' genes and environments interact to influence their development.

Question 18

Behavior geneticists conducting family resemblance studies most frequently employ

Accepted Answer

Adoption and twin studies are commonly used in family resemblance studies by behavior geneticists because they allow for the examination of how much of a particular trait or behavior is due to genetic factors versus environmental factors. Kinship studies and parent-child studies do not provide as clear of a picture of the role of genetics versus environment, and sibling studies may not account for genetic differences as precisely as twin studies.

Question 19

Which of the following is a misconception about the study of behavior genetics?

Accepted Answer

This is a common misconception about behavior genetics. In reality, evidence of strong genetic influences on a characteristic does not necessarily mean that environmental factors are unimportant. The two factors work together to shape a child's potential and development.

Question 20

A fetus who is exposed to the virus that causes German measles will develop damaged hearing

Accepted Answer

The virus that causes German measles can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in a developing fetus, which can result in a range of birth defects including vision, hearing, and heart problems. However, the timing of exposure is critical for the development of hearing damage. Exposure during the first trimester (up to 11 weeks) of pregnancy carries the greatest risk for CRS-related hearing loss. Exposure later in pregnancy is still a concern but carries a lower risk of hearing damage. Therefore, the fetus who is exposed to the virus that causes German measles will develop damaged hearing, only if exposed at a particular stage during prenatal development.

Quiz 2: The Process of Genetic Transmission