Question 1

A heritability estimate of .3 for activity level would indicate that differences in __________ could explain _____ percent of the variation in activity level.

Accepted Answer

A heritability estimate of .3 means that 30% of the variation in activity level can be explained by genetic factors.

Question 2

Marcus, a cooperative, attentive child, receives more patient and sensitive interactions from his parents than they give to Erica, his distractible, inattentive sister. This is an example of a(n) __________ gene-environment correlation.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an evocative gene-environment correlation, where an individual's (Marcus's) inherited characteristics evoke certain responses from others (his parents) in the environment, leading to a reinforcement of those characteristics.

Question 3

Because the environments of most twin pairs are less diverse than those of the general population,

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates are likely to exaggerate the role of heredity because the less diverse environment of most twin pairs makes it difficult to rule out the influence of shared environmental factors. This can lead to an overestimation of the role of genetics in determining a particular trait or behavior.

Question 4

According to the concept of gene-environment correlation,

Accepted Answer

Gene-environment correlation refers to the concept that our genes can influence the kinds of environments we are exposed to. This can happen through various mechanisms, such as parents providing environments correlated with their own genetic tendencies, or individuals seeking out environments that are compatible with their genetic predispositions.

Question 5

Identical twins Jada and Olivia were very similar in personality throughout childhood. After high school, Jada majored in music and became an elementary school teacher, while Olivia earned a medical degree and joined Doctors Without Borders, traveling to countries gripped by war and epidemics. Later in life, Olivia was more prone to risk-taking than Jada. This difference in personality is a result of

Accepted Answer

The difference in personality between Jada and Olivia is likely due to epigenetic factors such as methylation, which can alter gene expression without changing DNA sequence. Factors such as Olivia's experiences and environment may have led to differences in methylation patterns, leading to differences in personality traits. Niche-picking, alterations to a specific gene, or mutations in Olivia's genetic makeup are unlikely to be the main cause of the personality differences between the twins.

Question 6

Heritability estimates

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates are controversial measures because they can easily be misapplied. They provide information on the extent to which individual differences in a trait are due to genetic factors, but they do not provide precise information on how personality traits develop or the extent to which environmental factors can modify genetic influences. The fact that twin pairs share similar environments can actually increase the role of heredity in these estimates, rather than diminishing it.

Question 7

Dr. Dimera is interested in measuring the extent to which individual differences in complex traits in a specific population are due to genetic factors. When conducting research, Dr. Dimera will most likely rely on

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates are used to determine the extent to which individual differences in a trait are due to genetic factors. This can help researchers like Dr. Dimera understand the genetic basis of complex traits in specific populations. Epigenesis, methylation, and gene-environment correlation are also important factors in understanding the influence of genes on behavior, but they are not as directly related to measuring heritability.

Question 8

Denyse and David are both actors and have enrolled their children in acting classes. This is an example of a(n) __________ gene-environment correlation.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a passive gene-environment correlation because the children are placed in an environment (acting classes) by their parents that correlates with their own interests and potentially genetic predispositions, without the children actively choosing this environment.

Question 9

Niche-picking sheds light on why __________ report similar stressful life events influenced by personal decisions and actions more often than ordinary siblings.

Accepted Answer

Identical twin pairs share the same genetic makeup, which can influence their tendencies to make similar decisions and react similarly to life events, leading to reporting similar stressful life events influenced by personal decisions and actions more often than siblings who do not share identical genetics.

Question 10

Which of the following age groups does the most niche-picking?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are the age group that tends to do the most niche-picking. As they are trying to establish their identity and sense of self, they may gravitate towards specific hobbies, interests, or subcultures. This can be seen in the way that teens often identify strongly with certain music genres, fashion styles, or online communities. While younger children may have interests and preferences, they are less likely to actively seek out and commit to a niche in the same way that adolescents do.

Question 11

The relationship between heredity and environment is

Accepted Answer

The relationship between heredity and environment is bidirectional, meaning both influence each other in shaping an individual's behavior and characteristics. While genes provide the blueprint for traits, their expression can be altered by environmental factors such as diet or stress. Similarly, an individual's environment can impact the expression and activity of genes. Therefore, it is best to consider the interplay between heredity and environment rather than viewing it as a one-way street. Heritability estimates can help quantify the degree to which genes contribute to a particular trait or behavior, but they do not provide a complete picture of the complex interaction between genes and environment.

Question 12

Twin studies of __________ generally yield high heritabilities, whereas the role of heredity in __________ is less strong.

Accepted Answer

Twin studies have consistently shown that genetics play a strong role in the development of autism, with heritability estimates ranging from 60-90%. On the other hand, major depression has a lower heritability estimate of around 40-50%.

Question 13

Grace, a musically talented youngster, joins the school orchestra and practices her violin. This is an example of a(n) __________ gene-environment correlation.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of active gene-environment correlation, in which an individual seeks out environments that fit with their genetic predispositions or talents.

Question 14

Development is best understood as

Accepted Answer

Development is determined by both genetic and environmental factors, making it a complex interplay between nature and nurture. It is not solely determined by genetics (choice A) or the environment (choice B), nor is it an unsolvable puzzle (choice D).

Question 15

Gene-environment interaction shows that

Accepted Answer

Gene-environment interaction refers to the fact that the expression of a trait can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This means that two people with different genetic backgrounds may respond differently in the same environment, and conversely, two people with the same genetic background may respond differently in different environments. Therefore, different gene-environment combinations can lead to similar or different outcomes, and heredity does not necessarily restrict the development of characteristics to just a few outcomes.

Question 16

Which of the following individuals is the most likely to score high in impulsivity, according to research on smoking?

Accepted Answer

According to research on smoking, individuals with a DD genetic makeup and exposure to prenatal smoking are more likely to score high in impulsivity. Daniel has both of these factors, making him the most likely to score high in impulsivity.

Question 17

In a kinship study of intelligence, which of the following sibling pairs will likely share a high correlation?

Accepted Answer

Identical twins have 100% genetic similarity, which means they share the same DNA. Therefore, they are likely to share a high correlation in intelligence. Non-twin siblings (choice A and D) have about 50% genetic similarity, while fraternal twins (choice C) have about 50% genetic similarity on average like other siblings.

Question 18

According to the concept of epigenesis,

Accepted Answer

The concept of epigenesis emphasizes that development results from ongoing exchanges between heredity and all levels of the environment. It is a bidirectional process that involves both genetic and environmental factors in shaping an individual's development. This view emphasizes the importance of both nature and nurture in understanding how we develop over time.

Question 19

Today, most researchers view development as

Accepted Answer

Most researchers view development as the result of a dynamic interplay between heredity and environment, also known as nature and nurture. It is widely accepted that both factors play crucial roles in shaping human development.

Question 20

Niche-picking is an example of a(n) __________ gene-environment correlation.

Accepted Answer

Niche-picking is an example of an active gene-environment correlation because individuals choose environments that are compatible with their genetically influenced preferences, abilities, and dispositions. This means that the individual's genetic makeup is influencing their behavior to actively seek out certain environments that are a good fit for their traits. Passive gene-environment correlation is when parents provide both genes and environment to their offspring, and evocative gene-environment correlation is when an individual's particular traits evoke certain reactions or responses from the environment. Dynamic gene-environment correlation emphasizes the bidirectional interaction between genes and environment over time.

Quiz 2: Genetic and Environmental Foundations

A heritability estimate of .3 for activity level would indicate that differences in ______ could explain _ percent of the variation in activity level.