Biological Beginnings Chapter 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 nonsurvivors • 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 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 Adoption • 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 • Do better than children raised in long-term foster care • Very early adopted better than later adopted • Open adoption (sharing identifying information of birth parents) • • Yields positive results in many studies for children and birth mothers Closed adoption (non sharing of info) 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 • Infancy: Counselors can help prospective adoptive parents develop realistic expectations • Early childhood: 4-6 years is a natural time to begin to talk in simple ways to children about heir adoption status • Middle and late childhood: Recognize that ambivalence is normal (mixed feelings and questions) • Adolescence: Understand the complexity of the adolescents identity exploration and be patient with their lengthy identity search Behavior Genetics • The field that seeks to discover the influence of heredity and environment on individual difference in human traits and development • Twin Studies- behavioral similarity of identical twins compared with fraternal twins (identical twins with more conduct problems) • Adoption studies- the behavior and psychological characteristics of adopted children are more like those of their adoptive parents, or more like those of the biological parents ... childhood: 4-6 years is a natural time to begin to talk in simple ways to children about heir adoption status • Middle and late childhood: Recognize that ambivalence is normal (mixed feelings and questions)... 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... Bifida - brain and spine abnormalities • Tay-Sachs disease- deceleration of mental and physical development Genetic Foundations of Development • Genetic Counselor • Identify and analyze inheritance