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Lecture 1, 2 & 3 introduction to psychology
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Lecture 1, 2 & 3 introduction to psychology Lecture 1: genes and evolution Lecture 2: The brain and the nervous system Lecture 3: Consciousness
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Lectures Introduction to psychologyLecture 1: genes and evolution
Is it correct to claim that a violent person has violent genes?
- 70th no, environment produced violent behavior
- 90th yes, genes produced violent behavior
- today interaction between genes and environment
MAOA allele for low MAO activity – in combination with severe maltreatment – higher
probability of being convicted of violent crimes
Every human cell nucleus 23 chromosomes made up of DNA double helix shape
A, T, G, C (T and A, G and C)
Genes = meaningful sections of the DNA molecule. They are important because they govern
the cell’s functioning by providing instructions for making proteins
Gene expression gene is turned on or turn off turn on, they produce protein. If it is
turned off, they will not produce protein specific cell
In each cell, some genes are expressed at any point in time and others are not. This is
controlled by the biochemical environment inside the cell. The biochemical environment
inside the cell is influenced by the environment outside the cell, timing of development,
behavior
Genotype = an organism’s specific set of genes
Phenotype = the overt traits and behaviors of an organism. Is determined by genotype x
environment
Identical twin: 100% the same genotype, but mostly not the same Phenotype
Each gene is paired with another gene. The pairs are located at corresponding positions on
pairs of chromosomes. Allele is one specific variant of a gene:
- dominant
- Recessive
- homo
- hetero 2 different alleles
A specific trait of behavior is determined by the interaction between the environment and
one gene pair, multiple gene pairs: polygenetic inheritance (= overerving)
The genome = complete set of genes, is shaped by evolution over the years Darwin
But he didn’t know about the genes
Darwin (England, voyaged Galapagos) modern organism is descended from a small set of
shared ancestors and have merged over time through the process of evolution
natural selection is the key mechanism of evolution
1. Variation
, 2. Survive and reproduce at higher rates than others
3. The trait associated with this advantage is passed from parents to offspring (=
nakomeling)
specific traits will be better represented in the next generation
what matters is the survival of the genes
the organisms best suited to their environment are more likely to reproduce and pass on
the characteristics which helped them survive the species changed over time
Modern evolutionary theory many sources
- the fossil record (transitions forms) as predicted by Darwin
- The resemblance (=overeenkomst) between genomes of various organisms
humans have 23 chromosomes
other organisms have 24 chromosomes
- Pseudogenes = inactive gene, non-function now, but maybe a few years ago, inactivation by
mutation
- Distribution of species across the world continental islands was once connected with
the large continent versus oceanic island was never connected with the large continent
Despite the evidence, many people remain skeptical about the theory of evolution
It does not follow that evolution
- somehow improves organism but adapting
- can only lead to rigid behavioral patterns
Nature (genes) versus Nurture (environment)
now, there is an interaction
Who we are is determined by how our genes are expressed in distinct environments?
results of studies
If you want to be happy, you can change it (environment)
Intelligent Design theory: There are aspects of life, like the biochemistry of living cells and
the interactions between genes that are so complex that it is unimaginable that these
systems have emerged solely through variation and natural selection. Evolutionary theory is
unable to account for such crucial moments in the development of life (e.g., the first
emergence of life or the emergence of new species). At those moments, an intelligent power
has intervened, steering life in the right direction (paraphrased from Dembski, 1999).
Lecture 2: The brain and the nerves system
Phenotype is the product of the interaction to genes and environment
- body shape, and inside the body (what is not visible), nerves systems
Nerves system = brain and all the other nerves
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