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Flip to reveal answersWhat is genetic inheritance (in behaviour)?
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All 12 Flashcards — Genetic inheritance
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Question
What is genetic inheritance (in behaviour)?
Answer
The idea that some behaviour is passed down in our genes, not only learned from the environment.
Question
What is a gene?
Answer
A section of DNA that carries instructions passed from parents to children.
Question
What is a genetic predisposition?
Answer
An inherited tendency that makes a behaviour or condition more likely — not certain.
Question
What is concordance?
Answer
How often both twins share a trait — used to compare identical and non-identical twins.
Question
How do twin studies suggest a genetic influence?
Answer
If identical twins (who share ~all genes) share a trait more than non-identical twins (~half), genes probably matter.
Question
What is heritability?
Answer
How much of the difference in a trait across people is linked to genes. It is almost never 100%.
Question
What is gene-environment interaction?
Answer
Genes and environment working together — an inherited tendency may only appear if life events trigger it.
Question
Which concept do genetics most raise?
Answer
Causality — a trait can run in families, but genes, shared environment, or both could cause it.
Question
Why is a family pattern only a correlation?
Answer
Families share both genes AND an environment, so the pattern does not prove genes are the cause.
Question
One strength of the genetic explanation?
Answer
Twin and family studies give a clear way to estimate a genetic influence and explain traits that run in families.
Question
One limitation of the genetic explanation?
Answer
Identical twins usually share an environment too, so genes and environment are hard to separate; a link is not proof of cause.
Question
How do adoption studies help?
Answer
They compare children with their biological and adoptive families, helping separate genes from upbringing.
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Full study notes for Genetic inheritance
Topic 2.1 hub
Biological approach
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Psychology exam skills
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