Lesson Notes

Lesson 2.4a  Behavioral Genetics: Is It Nature or Nurture?

One of the best ways psychologists have to study the effects of heredity vs. environment is through the use of twins – both fraternal and identical. Researchers are able to determine if some of our traits are recessive or dominant. For example, are you able to curl your tongue? If you can, you have a dominant gene that allows you to do this. If you don’t believe it, ask some of your friends to try, it’s either easier or more difficult than you think.

Lesson 2.4b  Evolutionary Psychology: Darwin Explains Behaviour and Mental Processes

In this lesson you will learn about the work of Charles Darwin. Charles Darwin is famous for his work, “The Origin of the Species.” While traveling the world as a young adult, Charles came to believe that species in this world evolve through natural selection. By adapting our traits to the environment, we become able to survive. Those species that are unable to adapt, perish. One of Darwin’s famous quotes states, “The strong will survive, while the weak shall perish.” This quote simplifies some of the beliefs behind evolutionary psychology.