Question 1

Which of the following was NOT mentioned in your text as an aspect of behavior for which genes have been identified among knockout mice

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D) novelty-seeking. This is because the text mentions genes identified among knockout mice related to learning, aggression, and socialization patterns, but does not mention novelty-seeking as an aspect of behavior for which genes have been identified.

Question 2

Which of the following components of a twin study is correctly described

Accepted Answer

Each option correctly describes a component of a twin study: A) non-shared environment refers to influences not shared between twins, affecting them differently; B) shared environment encompasses influences that twins share, such as family and home environment; C) heritability estimates the genetic contribution to individual differences in traits or behaviors.

Question 3

Cells in the human body contain ______ chromosomes.

Accepted Answer

Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes. Each pair consists of one chromosome from each parent.

Question 4

Suppose a researcher finds a correlation coefficient of .40 between identical twins' scores on a measure of a personality trait. She additionally finds a correlation coefficient of .40 between fraternal twins' scores on the same measure. What might she conclude regarding the genetic and environmental bases of the trait

Accepted Answer

The similarity in correlation coefficients for both identical and fraternal twins suggests that shared environmental factors, rather than genetic factors, play a significant role in the trait, as identical twins share more genetic material than fraternal twins but show similar correlation in traits.

Question 5

Dr. Ivanov conducts family and adoption studies. Dr. Jefferson conducts twin studies. Dr. Ivanov is a ________. Dr. Jefferson is a ___________.

Accepted Answer

Both Dr. Ivanov and Dr. Jefferson are conducting research that falls under the umbrella of behavioral genetics. Family, adoption, and twin studies are all methods used to understand how genetics and environment contribute to behavior, making both researchers behavioral geneticists.

Question 6

Molecular geneticists investigate behavior at a _____ level of analysis than behavioral geneticists.

Accepted Answer

Molecular geneticists focus on the specific genes and their functions, which is a more detailed and fundamental level of analysis compared to behavioral geneticists who study the inheritance of behaviors and traits, making it a "lower" level in terms of specificity and scale.

Question 7

Dr. Kellman finds a near-zero correlation between identical twins' scores on a measure of a personality trait. Dr. Kellman will probably attribute variability in the trait to:

Accepted Answer

Given that the correlation between identical twins (who share nearly identical genetics) on a personality trait is near-zero, it suggests that the variability in the trait is not due to genetic factors but rather to environmental factors that are not shared between the twins. Nonshared environmental factors refer to experiences that are unique to each individual, even among identical twins, and can lead to differences in personality traits.

Question 8

Which sequence best arranges genetic and environmental influences on personality and behavior in order of importance, from least important to most important

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which sequence best arranges genetic and environmental...

Question 9

__________ are composed of __________, which in turn are made of ________.

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes are composed of genes, which are sections of DNA that code for specific traits. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer as it lists the components in the correct order.

Question 10

Behavioral geneticists:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Behavioral geneticists:
...

Question 11

Your text reports that the correlation between identical twins' scores on aggression measures is about .43; the correlation between fraternal twins' scores on aggression measures is around .14. Most immediately, these coefficients indicate:

Accepted Answer

The higher correlation in identical twins (who share 100% of their genes) compared to fraternal twins (who share about 50% of their genes) suggests a significant genetic contribution to aggression (A). The much lower correlation in fraternal twins also suggests that shared environmental factors play a minimal role, as both types of twins share their environments similarly (C).

Question 12

Approximately how many genes are in a human cell

Accepted Answer

The human genome contains approximately 25,000 genes. This number has been refined from earlier estimates of about 100,000 genes, thanks to advances in genomic sequencing technologies.

Question 13

Your text suggests that at most, the correlation coefficients for identical twins' scores on behavioral and personality measures are around:

Accepted Answer

Correlation coefficients for identical twins' scores on behavioral and personality measures typically fall in the range of .40 to .50, indicating a moderate genetic influence on these traits.

Question 14

The genes of _______ twins are 100% identical, while those of _______ twins are 50% identical.

Accepted Answer

Monozygotic twins are developed from a single fertilized egg that splits and forms two embryos, sharing 100% of their genes, while dizygotic twins are developed from two separate fertilized eggs, sharing 50% of their genes, similar to siblings born at different times.

Question 15

John's therapist strives to provide an atmosphere of acceptance and respect, no matter what comes up during the sessions. John's therapist is providing __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of John's therapist strives to provide an atmosphere...

Question 16

Which of the following sequences correctly orders the units of genetics, from the smallest and most specific to the largest and most inclusive

Accepted Answer

A gene is a segment of DNA, and multiple genes are organized into structures called chromosomes.

Question 17

While there appears to be a substantial genetic component to homosexuality, your text suggests that about ______ % of the total influence on homosexuality reflects the environment. The environmental influence on homosexuality is best attributed to _________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While there appears to be a substantial...

Question 18

For which of the following have molecular geneticists found associated genes using human DNA

Accepted Answer

Molecular geneticists have identified genes associated with a variety of behaviors and conditions, including ADHD, smoking, and novelty-seeking, through studies of human DNA. These findings suggest a genetic component to these behaviors, although environmental factors also play a significant role.

Question 19

If one male identical twin is gay, the likelihood that the other is also gay is about 50%. By comparison, the likelihood that a gay male's fraternal twin is also gay is closer to 20%. How might a behavioral geneticist interpret these figures

Accepted Answer

The higher concordance rate of homosexuality in identical twins (who share 100% of their genes) compared to fraternal twins (who share about 50% of their genes) suggests a genetic contribution to male homosexuality. This is interpreted as evidence of heritability, where heritability refers to the proportion of variation in a trait among individuals that can be attributed to genetic differences.

Question 20

Dr. Schilling is investigating the potential genetic basis of antisocial personality disorder by examining the relative prevalence of the disorder among either identical or fraternal twins, raised either together or in different families. Her colleague, Dr. Figueroa, is investigating potential genetic markers of the disorder. Dr. Schilling is best described as a ________. Dr. Figueroa, as a ________.

Accepted Answer

Dr. Schilling, who is studying the prevalence of antisocial personality disorder in twins to understand the role of genetics and environment, is conducting research typical of a behavioral geneticist. Dr. Figueroa, looking for specific genetic markers, is doing work characteristic of a molecular psychologist.

Quiz 12: Personality