Genetic+inheritance

=Learning outcome= toc
 * ** With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent does genetic inheritance influence behaviour? **

=Research= Genetic research is largely carried out through correlational studies Click [|here] for a quick overview of what is involved in correlational studies

=Contexts= The interaction between genes and the environment in the contexts of:
 * learning and development of intellectual potential (//intelligence//)
 * depression (//other levels of analysis plus abnormal psychology//)
 * aggression (//other levels of analysis plus human relationships//)

**Investigations of genetic inheritance of behavior**

Methods

 * twin studies
 * adoption studies
 * animal studies

Twin Studies
As with any area of study, we must focus on the __**evidence**__. Browse the sites below to consolidate your understanding of the research on behavioral genetics


 * The MInnesota Center for Twin and Family research**
 * [|Why we study twins]
 * [|Twin info - FRQs]
 * [|Links to findings on academic achievement] (these are studies - you will need to obtain the study from EBSCO)
 * [|The MInnesota study of twins reared apart (Bouchard et. al.)]

=Class investigation and focus: Intelligence= [|Revealed: how exam results owe more to genes than to teaching] media type="custom" key="24960992"
 * EXPLORATIONS**
 * WATCH**
 * Barbara Arrowsmith - "The woman who changed her brain"**

media type="custom" key="24961012"
 * Ken Robinson - "How schools kill creativity"**


 * FOCUS**
 * So, in the context of intelligence, are nature or nurture more significant? (see task 2 below) **

=The exploratory tasks=

**Task 1**

 * 1) Individually complete the Law et al reading (//see above for page numbers//)
 * 2) In **groups**, design questions that help us understand the key areas involved in this learning outcome
 * 3) Create **group** answers to these questions
 * 4) Give your group questions (**NOT** the answers) to one other group.
 * 5) Once you have answered the set of questions you were given,
 * ask for the answer sheet (the group answers)
 * check these to see if you agree.

**Task 2**
In your groups, you will debate the question: //To what extent does genetic inheritance determine intelligence//. __Step 1__ 1 pair will investigate nature (genes) 1 pair will investigate nurture (environmental factors) __Step 2__ Each pair will present the other with //a spoken position statement// __Step 3__ Each pair will then present //a written rebuttal//


 * ** RESOURCES **


 * READ**
 * Law et al - pages 58 - 61
 * Crane & Hannibal - page 12-13 -The entity theory of intelligence versus the incremental theory of intelligence
 * Crane & Hannibal - pages 52 - 56
 * Scarr and Weinberg (1976) [|Minnesota Transracial Adoption Study]
 * [|Nature versus nurture in intelligence]
 * [|Twins and uncanny likenesses]

Other evidence:
 * DISCUSSION OF EVIDENCE**
 * McDevitt and Omrod [|Effects of heredity and environment] (//this site discusses evidence for hereditary influences, evidence for environmental influences and the interaction between nature and nurture//)
 * [|Nature versus nurture in intelligence] (//discusses much of the evidence we have been talking about in class//)
 * Note - the Wahlstein (1997) study that Crane mentions on page 55 is actually Wahlsten - I cannot access any more details on this specific study, but it is ok to use it as one of your minor discussions of evidence

Click HERE for the scripts that previous groups made of their discussions as to the extent to which genetic inheritance influences the development of __**intelligence**__.
 * Group discussions **

[|Sex linked brain differences] ||
 * Further research on gender**

** Task 3 **
Create your essay answer to this question in outline format (see below for further information)

=**ESSAY TOPIC**= You will need to make use of all class notes and activities on this topic.
 * To what extent does genetic inheritance influence behaviour? **


 * Use this power point to help you think through the question (this is the one from class)**

__**STRUCTURE**__ Your introduction must directly address the question. It should consist of:
 * Introduction**
 * **Statement to set context** - 1 sentence - See comments below on the concept of __**//interaction//**__ when explaining influence and extent
 * **Explanation of statement** - 2/3 sentences
 * **Thesis** - identify behavior, and factors connected - eg a specific gene sequence AND a non-biological factor (the content of the body paragraphs should be easily identifiable - we should know what you will discuss in the essay)


 * Quotes from readings and discussions below concerning the interaction between nature and nurture - you could use these to help you consolidate your stance.**
 * "Genes are the building blocks to behavior which create **genetic predisposition** which might not manifest unless one is exposed to the proper **environmental stimul**i " (Crane page 56)
 * //Genetics influences behavior to the extent that there are genes passed down from parent to offspring. this means that we have a **genetic predisposition** towards developing specific behaviors. However one cannot discount the influence of environmental factors. There are existing theories that indicate that the environment plays a role in influencing behavior.//
 * //"Clearly **both** nature and nurture influence intelligence. What is **less clear** is how much influence each of these factors has. A few theorists have tried to estimate nature’s contribution (the heritability of IQ) from the correlations obtained in twin and adoption studies (e.g., McGue et al., 1993; Plomin et al., 1997). But most psychologists now believe that **it may ultimately be impossible** to separate the relative effects of heredity and environment. They suggest that the two **combine** to influence children’s cognitive development and measured IQ in ways that we can probably **never disentangle** (e.g., W. A. Collins et al., 2000; Flynn, 2003; Rogoff, 2003; Turkheimer, 2000).....Heredity establishes a range rather than a precise figure...Genetic expression is influenced by environmental conditions...."// [|McDevitt and Omrod]


 * ** Below is a possible __//skeleton//__ outline for an essay **

__**Introduction**__ See outline above about thesis

__**Body paragraphs**__ Evidence supporting the role of genes in the manifestation of the behavior (heredity of intelligence) limitations of the evidence - use as a transition into the next paragraph
 * Point #1 = factor 1**
 * identify the factor (eg. genes and the link to deciding intelligence)**
 * Explain the point of view**

Evidence supporting the role of a non-genetic factor in the manifestation of the behavior discussion of interaction between factors - the gene-environment interaction
 * Point #2 - factor 2**
 * identify the factor**
 * Explain the point of view**

Evidence supporting the role of genes in the manifestation of the behavior limitations
 * Point #3 = factor 3**
 * identify the factor (eg gene sequence for aggression)**
 * Explain the point of view**

Evidence supporting the role of SLT in the manifestation of the aggression limitations ||
 * (this next section would be added when you have completed the Sociocultural level of analysis) **
 * Point #4 = factor 4**
 * identify the factor (eg social learning theory for aggression)**
 * Explain the point of view**

Outlining YOUR essay
[|Read an outline of an essay answer to this LO] How would you improve this answer? Do you feel that this answer FULLY addresses the command term consistently throughout each paragraph?

=Behavioral Genetics=

Extended reading
[|An overview of behavioral genetics] (including links to specific behaviors such as stuttering or alcoholism)

=Applications of research=
 * A focus on interactions between genes and the role of the environment in manifestations of behavior**
 * (This includes TOK connections and products for these)**
 * 1) **Create a written proposal for Dr Borden about methods of enhancing learning possibilities here at school(organization of the timetable, organization of classroom, assessment etc)**
 * 2) **Create a presentation for teaching staff at SAS Pudong High School about ways students learn and modifications you believe should take place in teaching practices**
 * 3) ** Write an article for one of the Shanghai magazines on depression, learning or aggression ** [eg. Applying knowledge of the impact of the environment to develop 10 ways to combat teenage depression]
 * 4) **Write an article for the EAGLE on a related topic (individual)**
 * 5) ** Write an article for the TOK blog (individual) **
 * 6) **Debate discussions:**
 * That single-sex schools are more beneficial
 * That aggression is learned, not innate
 * That typical school curricula do not cater to the male brain and the way males learn