3.

1 Biological Research
Evolutionary Perspective
how psychological traits and behaviors have
evolved to enhance survival and
reproductive success.

From an evolutionary perspective, psychologists propose that humans

have evolved mechanisms to detect and respond to threats rapidly. For
example, the fight-or-flight response, where the body prepares to
either confront a threat or flee from it, is thought to have evolved as a
survival mechanism. Research has shown that certain fears, such
as fear of snakes or spiders, may be innate and more easily
acquired than other fears. This is believed to be because these
creatures posed significant threats to our ancestors and those who
quickly learned to fear them were more likely to survive and pass on
their genes.
Natural Selection
organisms with traits that are better suited
to their environment are more likely to
survive and reproduce, passing on those
advantageous traits to future generations.
Natural Selection and Social Intelligence

Evolutionary Advantage: Individuals with better social intelligence

had advantages in forming alliances, gaining social status, and accessing
resources crucial for survival and reproduction.

Natural Selection: Favored the development of cognitive abilities

like empathy, theory of mind, emotional regulation, and social
communication, enhancing reproductive success and trait transmission.
 ● Traits inherited from parents (like eye
Genes are the inherent biological and
color)
genetic factors that influence an individual's
● How our brain is structured
psychological development, traits, behaviors,
● Our natural temperament (like being
and cognitive abilities.
shy or outgoing)
● How smart we are
● Our chances of having certain mental
health conditions
● Basic instincts we're born with (like
crying when we're hungry)
● Genetic disorders that affect our
behavior or thinking
 Twin Studies Adoption Studies Family Studies

Examines similarities and differences

between identical (monozygotic)
and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to
assess the relative influence of
genetics and environment on traits
and behaviors.
 Twin Studies Adoption Studies Family Studies

Examines similarities and differences Investigates similarities between

between identical (monozygotic) adopted children and their
and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to biological and adoptive families
assess the relative influence of to assess the impact of genetics
genetics and environment on traits versus environment on various traits
and behaviors. and behaviors.
 Twin Studies Adoption Studies Family Studies

Examines similarities and differences Investigates similarities between Analyzes similarities and differences
between identical (monozygotic) adopted children and their among family members, including
and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to biological and adoptive families parents and siblings, to understand
assess the relative influence of to assess the impact of genetics the interplay of genetics and
genetics and environment on traits versus environment on various traits environment in shaping traits and
and behaviors. and behaviors. behaviors within a family unit.
Heredity the transmission of genetic
information from biological parents to
offspring.

Heritability—how much (%) of our traits

come from our genes as opposed to Research has consistently shown that intelligence has a hereditary
environment component, meaning that a significant portion of individual differences in
intelligence can be attributed to genetic factors passed down from
● Does not apply to an individual but a parents to their offspring. Twin studies, for instance, have demonstrated
that identical twins, who share 100% of their genetic material, tend to
population as a whole have more similar IQ scores than fraternal twins, who share
approximately 50% of their genetic material on average. Adoption studies
also provide evidence for the heritability of intelligence, as adopted
children typically show greater similarity in intelligence to their biological
parents than to their adoptive parents.
Genetic Predisposition the inherited
likelihood of developing specific traits or
conditions due to genetic factors from
biological parents.

Research has shown that individuals with a family history of anxiety

disorders are more likely to develop similar conditions themselves
compared to those without such a family history. This suggests that
genetic predispositions play a significant role in determining an individual's
vulnerability to anxiety disorders. For example, if a person's parent or
sibling has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, they may have a
higher likelihood of experiencing similar symptoms themselves, even if
they have not experienced the same environmental stressors. This
highlights the influence of genetic factors in shaping psychological traits
and susceptibility to certain mental health conditions.
Here's a list of some traits and behaviors that research suggests people may have a
genetic predisposition for:

● Anxiety disorders ● Personality traits (e.g.,

● Depression introversion/extroversion)
● Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ● Aggression or impulsivity
(ADHD) ● Obesity and body weight regulation
● Bipolar disorder ● Risk-taking behavior
● Schizophrenia ● Chronic pain conditions
● Alcoholism and substance use disorders ● Sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia)
● Autism spectrum disorders ● Sensory processing sensitivity (e.g.,
● Intelligence sensitivity to sounds or textures)
Eugenics the belief in improving the genetic
quality of a human population by controlling
reproduction to increase desirable traits and
decrease undesirable ones.

● This concept has historically been associated

with discriminatory practices, including
forced sterilization and selective breeding,
based on flawed ideas of racial superiority
The tree image associated with eugenics often symbolizes the concept
and genetic determinism. of a "family tree" or lineage, representing the hereditary transmission
of traits and characteristics from one generation to the next. In the
context of eugenics, this imagery was used to promote the idea of
selective breeding to "improve" the genetic quality of the human
population.
Epigenetics
investigates how the environment may affect genetic expression.

nature via nurture

 UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN

Scanning Techniques
Show Structure Only Show Function Only Show BOTH Structure
& Function
CT/CAT – X-ray of the EEG – monitors the PET – shows which parts
brain’s anatomy brain’s electrical activity of the brain are consuming
MRI – uses magnetic fields Lesion (sort of) – the most (radioactive)
to create an image of the damages the brain to see sugar
brain what happens fMRI – uses magnetic
fields to show how the
brain is operating in real
time
1. Which of the following research designs would be
most effective in disentangling the effects of nature
and nurture in the development of intelligence?
A) Case studies
B) Surveys
C) Twin studies
D) Experimental designs
1. Which of the following research designs would be
most effective in disentangling the effects of nature
and nurture in the development of intelligence?
A) Case studies
B) Surveys
C) Twin studies
D) Experimental designs
2. Which of the following scenarios is an application of the
evolutionary perspective to understanding human
behavior?
A) Analyzing how fear responses may have offered survival
advantages.
B) Observing the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive
functions.
C) Studying the impact of reward systems on student
performance.
D) All of the above.
2. Which of the following scenarios is an application of the
evolutionary perspective to understanding human
behavior?
A) Analyzing how fear responses may have offered
survival advantages.
B) Observing the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive
functions.
C) Studying the impact of reward systems on student
performance.
D) All of the above.
3. Anna and Beth are identical twins who were separated at
birth and raised in very different environments. Anna grew up
in a suburban, middle-class family, while Beth was raised in a
rural, low-income area. Despite these differences, both excel
in athletics and have similar temperaments. This scenario
best demonstrates the influence of:
(A) Nurture
(B) Nature
(C) Adoption studies
(D) Family studies
3. Anna and Beth are identical twins who were separated at
birth and raised in very different environments. Anna grew up
in a suburban, middle-class family, while Beth was raised in a
rural, low-income area. Despite these differences, both excel
in athletics and have similar temperaments. This scenario
best demonstrates the influence of:
(A) Nurture
(B) Nature
(C) Adoption studies
(D) Family studies
4. In a study of siblings, one sibling develops a mental
health disorder while the other does not, despite
similar upbringings. This differential susceptibility is
most likely due to:
(A) Family studies
(B) Natural selection
(C) Nurture
(D) Genetic predisposition
4. In a study of siblings, one sibling develops a mental
health disorder while the other does not, despite
similar upbringings. This differential susceptibility is
most likely due to:
(A) Family studies
(B) Natural selection
(C) Nurture
(D) Genetic predisposition
5. Considering the evolutionary perspective, which
trait would most likely have been favored by natural
selection in early human societies?
(A) Aggression, as it increases chances of survival
and resource acquisition
(B) Passivity, as it promotes group harmony
(C) Dependence on others, as it could lead to neglect
(D) Inability to feel pain, as it could lead to severe
injuries
5. Considering the evolutionary perspective, which
trait would most likely have been favored by natural
selection in early human societies?
(A) Aggression, as it increases chances of survival
and resource acquisition
(B) Passivity, as it promotes group harmony
(C) Dependence on others, as it could lead to neglect
(D) Inability to feel pain, as it could lead to severe
injuries