Researchers measure genetic contributions to personality in three ways: by studying personality traits in other species, by studying the temperaments of human infants and children, and by doing heritability studies of twins and adopted individuals
Briefly summarize the evidence from each type of study that personality is, at least in part, biologically determined.
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: A good answer will include the following key points.
• Even in the first weeks after birth, human babies differ in activity level, mood, responsiveness, heart rate, and attention span.
• Extreme shyness and fear of new situations tend to be biologically based, stable aspects of temperament, both in human beings and in monkeys.
• Findings from adoption and twin studies have provided compelling support for a genetic contribution to personality.
• Identical twins reared apart often have unnerving similarities in gestures, mannerisms, and mood.
• Overall, heritability estimates for many personality traits are about .50.
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Which of the following students provides the best summary of the relationship between experience and cognitive ability?
a. Ada: "Although boys may spend more time playing math and spatial games outside of school, girls actually have more experience with computers in the classroom.". b. Emmy: "Even though boys and girls complete the same number of math courses, girls are shown more often in the textbooks.". c. Hypatia: "Boys take more math courses than girls, but girls play more games involving numbers and spatial skills.". d. Sofia: "Parents spend more time explaining science and math to boys than to girls.".
All of the following situations have been associated with lowered immune system functioning EXCEPT a. marital conflict or relationship difficulties. b. job loss
c. death of a loved one. d. pregnancy.
Chapter 12 Refer to the research study described on pages 344 - 345 of your textbook to answer the following question. What are the dependent variables in this study?
What will be an ideal response?
The secondary somatosensory cortex receives its inputs from:
a. The same-side primary somatosensory cortex b. The opposite-side primary somatosensory cortex c. Both same-side and opposite-side primary somatosensory cortex d. Primarily from the thalamus but to a lesser degree, the contralateral primary somatosensory area