A topical approach to life span development, 6e chapter 2

Genetic Foundations of Development • Genetic influences on behavior evolved over time and across many species.. Genetic Foundations of Development • Chromosomes- structures made up of DN

Biological Beginnings

• Chapter 2

The Evolutionary

Perspective

• Natural selection

• Those individuals of a species that are a best adapted are the ones that survive and

reproduce.

• They pass on their characteristics to the next generation

• They are better adapted to their world than non-survivors

• Charles Darwin

The Evolutionary

Perspective

• Evolutionary Psychology

• Emphasizes the importance of adaptation,

reproduction, and "survival of the fittest" in shaping behavior

• Behaviors that increase reproductive

success

• How we make decisions, how aggressive

we are, our fears, and our mating patterns

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Genetic influences on behavior evolved over

time and across many species

• DNA - not just inherited from parents, but

what we inherited as a species from other

species, that were our ancestors

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Chromosomes- structures made up of DNA

• The nucleus of each human cell contains

chromosomes

• DNA- Complex molecule that contains genetic

information

• Genes- The units of hereditary information,

short segments of DNA

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Genes are passed on through 3 processes

• Mitosis- cell reproduction, cells nucleus

duplicates and the cell divides

• Meiosis- cell division that occurs to form

eggs and sperm (Gametes)

• Fertilization-egg and sperm fuse to create a

single cell, call a zygote

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Genotype-A persons genetic heritage; the

actual genetic material

• Phenotype-The way an individual genotype is

expressed in observed and measurable

characteristics

• Physical characteristics and psychological

characteristics

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Chromosomal Abnormalities (see chart in text)

• Down Syndrome - Mild to severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities

• Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)- physical abnormalities

• Fragile X syndrome- intellectual disability, learning

disability, short term attention span

• Turner Syndrome (XO)-intellectual disability and sexual underdevelopment

• XYY syndrome- above average height

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Gene-linked abnormalities (Mental concerns) -

see chart in text

• Huntington disease - problems with muscle

coordination and mental deterioration

• Phenylketonuria (PKU) - intellectual disability

• Spina Bifida - brain and spine abnormalities

• Tay-Sachs disease- deceleration of mental and physical development

Genetic Foundations of

Development

• Genetic Counselor

• Identify and analyze inheritance patterns

and explore options with the family

• Understand the kinds of problems, the odds

of encountering them, and helpful strategies for offsetting some of their effects

• Increased Diversity

• No income requirements

• Wide range of backgrounds

• Single adults, gay and lesbian adults, other

family members

• 50% of US adoptions occur through the

foster care system

Adoption Outcomes

• Higher risk for:

• Externalizing (aggression and conduct

problems)

• Internalizing (anxiety and depression)

• Attention problems (ADHD)

• But majority adjust effectively

Adoption Outcomes

foster care

adopted

of birth parents)

children and birth mothers

Parenting Adopted

Children

• Parents need to recognize the unique

differences in adoptive family life

• Communicate about these differences

• Show respect for the birth family

• Support the child's search for self and

identity

Parenting Adopted

Children

parents develop realistic expectations

begin to talk in simple ways to children about heir adoption status

ambivalence is normal (mixed feelings and

questions)

adolescents identity exploration and be patient

with their lengthy identity search

Behavior Genetics

heredity and environment on individual difference

in human traits and development.

twins compared with fraternal twins (identical

twins with more conduct problems)

characteristics of adopted children are more like those of their adoptive parents, or more like those

of the biological parents