In Chapter 1, the importance of critical thinking was noted. In particular, a critical thinker knows that after a general question is raised, the next step is to define one's terms in a clear and concrete way
Chapter 2 provided even more detail in the discussion of operational definitions. How do behavioral geneticists define the meaning of heritability? What does it mean when a trait is said to be "highly heritable"?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: A good answer will include the following key points.
? Heritability can be defined by geneticists as a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group.
? Estimates of heritability apply only to a particular group living in a particular environment and apply only to the group and not to individuals.
? High heritability means that a high percentage of the variability of a particular trait within the group is due to genetic factors.
? High heritability does not mean that the environment is not a factor. Even highly heritable traits can be modified by the environment.
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Which of these has been shown to improve intellectual performance for low-performing children?
a. Television watching b. Extra sleep c. Individual psychotherapy d. Dietary supplements
Stereotaxic procedures:
A. cause a great deal of brain damage B. are used for brain tissue transplants C. have been shown to be ineffective in treating Parkinson's disease D. have only been performed on animals
What role do friends and family play in encouraging a person to seek medical care?
a. If they view the symptoms as serious, the person is more likely to seek medical care. b. If they consistently insist, the person is more likely to seek medical care. c. People who care about their friends will do what they say. d. People who love their family will do what they say.
Greta is a birdwatcher of many years. When she sees a white sea bird, she doesn't think
of it as just a gull; instead, she identifies it as a herring gull. Her conceptualization of birds is at the __________ level. a. formal b. natural c. subordinate d. superordinate e. basic