Genetic influences

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Genetic influences

• Which is more important, heredity or
  environment?

• Do the observed differences between people
  depend more on heredity or the environment?

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Kalat (1998)
2

• How do we work out the extent to which a
  psychological or behavioural trait is influenced
  by heredity?

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3
Genetic influences

• Heritability is an estimate of how much of the
  variability in a trait is due to genetic factors
  (0 to 1)
• NB. heritability varies between populations
• If everyone is genetically similar, differences
  probably environmental
• If everyone is genetically different,
  similarities probably genetic

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4
Genetic influences
Gene
psychlotron.org.uk
Behaviour
5
Genetic influences
Gene
psychlotron.org.uk
Behaviour
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Genetic influences
Gene
psychlotron.org.uk
Behaviour