Behavioral Genetics

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Nature vs Nurture?Wolves vs dogs?Did we selectively breed

dogs by appearance

and even behaviors?

Are our behaviors including

emotion governed by our genes?

Are these passed from parents to

children as in the saying “like

father like son”?

Behavioral Genetics

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Environment

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How do these interact to shape what we are now?From basic behaviors such as foraging to complex behaviors

such as social interactions and intelligence

Environment

Behavioral genes that make the news!

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The “Wanderlust Gene”: Why Some People Are Born To Travel

“The gene itself, which is identified as DRD4-7R, has been dubbed

the ‘wanderlust gene’, because of its correlation with increased

levels of curiosity and restlessness, for the most part.”

– Elite Daily , on Mar 3, 2015

What is the biology behind such claims?

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Serotonin – the ‘happy gene’

Neurotransmitter that

regulates mood balance

Sample from Dr. Amy Kwok

regulates mood balance

Find out YOUR behavior traits…

vs

Tongue rolling

… is actually controlled by

a single gene!

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Punnett’s Square

use to calculate the possibility of single-gene

inheritance

R r

R RR Rr

r Rr rr

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Why are twins preferred in behavioral

genetics studies?

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Share

IDENTICALgenetic makeup

Share ¼ genes

(same as siblings)

Identical twins Fraternal twins Sa

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In-class discussion

My DNA made me do it.My DNA made me do it.

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My DNA made me do it.My DNA made me do it.

In 2007, several psychiatrists and geneticists presented evidence at a criminal

trials: a variant of monoamine oxidase A increases the risk of violent behavior.

Applying what you learnt from previous sessions,

1) To what degree do you agree with the statement?

2) Do you support the use of genetic screening of suspects/criminals as proof

of their guilt/innocence?

3) Why?

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