These differences are determined in part by the small amount (in humans, the 0.1%) of the differences in genes among the members of the species. Rabbits are naturally fearful, but some are more fearful than others some dogs are more loyal than others to their caretakers and some humans learn to speak and write better than others do. Birds naturally build nests, dogs are naturally loyal to their human caretakers, and humans instinctively learn to walk and to speak and understand language.īut the strength of different traits and behaviours also varies within species. These abilities and characteristics are known as instincts - complex inborn patterns of behaviours that help ensure survival and reproduction (Tinbergen, 1951). Different animals have different instincts. These common genetic structures lead members of the same species to be born with a variety of behaviours that come naturally to them and that define the characteristics of the species. The DNA in your genes, for instance, is about 99.9% the same as the DNA in my genes and in the DNA of every other human being. The genes of different members of the same species are almost identical. A gene is the basic biological unit that transmits characteristics from one generation to the next.
The chromosomes are made up of strands of the molecule DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), and the DNA is grouped into segments known as genes. One of each pair comes from your father, and the other comes from your mother. In the nucleus of each cell in your body are 23 pairs of chromosomes.
But we will also see that genetics does not determine everything. In this section we will see that the personality traits of humans and animals are determined in large part by their genetic makeup, and thus it is no surprise that identical twins Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein turned out to be very similar even though they had been raised separately. If nurture is more important, however, then our experiences are likely to be particularly important, and we may be able to flexibly alter our personalities over time. If nature is more important, then our personalities will form early in our lives and will be difficult to change later. One question that is exceedingly important for the study of personality concerns the extent to which it is the result of nature or nurture. Explain how molecular genetics research helps us understand the role of genetics in personality.Outline the methods of behavioural genetics studies and the conclusions that we can draw from them about the determinants of personality.Explain how genes transmit personality from one generation to the next.
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