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The Role of Genes in Psychology

Genetics studies the influence of genes on both physical and psychological traits, highlighting the complex interaction between inherited genes and environmental factors. Research indicates that genetic factors may play a more significant role in behaviors and mental health than previously thought, often challenging common beliefs about upbringing. Understanding genes, genomes, and chromosomes is essential for exploring the genetic basis of behavior and psychological differences among individuals.

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Sanmara de Andrade
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21 views1 page

The Role of Genes in Psychology

Genetics studies the influence of genes on both physical and psychological traits, highlighting the complex interaction between inherited genes and environmental factors. Research indicates that genetic factors may play a more significant role in behaviors and mental health than previously thought, often challenging common beliefs about upbringing. Understanding genes, genomes, and chromosomes is essential for exploring the genetic basis of behavior and psychological differences among individuals.

Uploaded by

Sanmara de Andrade
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

GENETICS- PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

Genetics is the study of genes and the variation of characteristics that are influenced by genes—including physical
and psychological characteristics. All human traits, from one's height to one's fear of heights, are driven by a
complex interplay between the expression of inherited genes and feedback from the environment.

Scientists are tasked with a massive but increasingly plausible mission: mapping the pathway from one's genes to
the person one sees in the mirror. What they learn about the power of genes has implications for understanding
mental illness and psychological differences between individuals, as well as the psychological effects of non-genetic
factors.

Why Genes Matter in Psychology

Genes help to define who an individual is inside and out. While non-genetic factors have a role to play, too, what
scientists have learned about these influences can clash with common wisdom. A characteristic or behavior that
appears to result from a child’s upbringing—such as a proneness to mental illness or divorce—may actually be
largely a product of the genes she inherited from her parents. In fact, research investigating the influence of the
family environment suggests that it accounts for a surprisingly small amount of the difference between people on
characteristics that scientists measure

What is a gene?

A gene is the basic unit through which genetic information is stored and passed between generations. Physically, a
gene is a specific section of one of the long, double-helix-shaped DNA molecules that appear in each cell of the body.
Genes vary in size, comprising anywhere from hundreds to millions of the nucleotides that collectively make up DNA.
Many (but not all) genes provide chemical “instructions” for the creation of protein molecules, or serve other roles
that are integral to the function of an organism. Different versions of the same gene are called alleles.

What is the genome?

The genome is the entirety of the genetic material contained in an individual. Human DNA is estimated to contain
between 20,000 and 25,000 genes. The vast majority of each person’s genome is identical to that of the next person,
but the portion that differs is consequential for how individuals develop

What is a chromosome?

A chromosome is a structure within a cell nucleus that is made up of a long DNA molecule and proteins that
provide support. Each human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, which together store a person’s genetic code.

The Science of Genetics and Behavior

It may seem obvious that the genes people inherit from their parents and share with their siblings have an effect
on behavior and temperament. Individuals are often noticeably more similar in a variety of ways to immediate family
members than they are to more distant ones, or to non-relatives. Of course, there are plenty of notable differences
within families as well. Scientists have employed an array of methods to drill down into how and to what extent
genetic differences truly account for psychological differences.

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