Transcript Nature/Nurture

Nature/Nurture
Steinberg, Douglas (2006).
Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind,
October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
Zach Schlesinger and Alex Kagawa
Professor Mills Psychology 100
Fall 2008
Introduction:
Determining Nature vs. Nurture
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Molecular evidence
Environment influences on genes
Help for schizophrenia and depression
Epigenetics
Occur in primitive and mature cells
Genetic chemistry influenced by environment
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
Schizophrenia and Depression
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Better explained with epigenetics
Discovered teens and young adults
“Something happens during puberty…”
Not a mutant gene
People with schizophrenia -- reduction of
gene’s activity and an increase in the activity
of a gene that promotes molecular
attachments to DNA
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
Depression and Epigenetics
• Experiment: Small mouse and large aggressive
mouse
• Molecules changed in DNA
• Anti-depressants
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
Maternal Influence on Genes
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Less licked and groomed = FEAR
Molecular changes
Changes in mature cells, not just fetal cells
Affects of parenting
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
New Ideas
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New technologies
Improved knowledge of epigenetics
Better understanding of Nature/Nurture
Long time
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
Critical Review
• Interesting points:
Epigenetics,
Anti-depressants in rats
Licking changing molecules in genes
• Other points:
Schizophrenia research
Applying to humans
More experiments
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture.
Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.
Test Questions
1. Can drugs or psychotherapy or other environmental interventions alleviate
human disorders that are largely caused by genes?
a. No
b. Yes
c. Epigenetics is beginning to address these issues.
2. Scientists believe that molecular changes that determine the proteins that
influence behavior:
a. Only happen in primitive cells in embryonic or fetal development
b. Only happen in the mature cells of children or adults
c. Now believe they happen in both primitive and mature cells
3. Epigenetics:
a. Is the study of how tiny molecules may or may not stick to genes that
generate proteins that help humans cope
b. Is the basis for some studies of rats and depression
c. May explain some of how the environment impacts the chemistry of genes
d. All of the above
4. Schizophrenia and Depression may be influenced by the environment. (T/F)
5. Proteins help a rat’s brain adapt to stress or hostile environments. (T/F)
6. This article proves that a mother’s parenting style does not affect the activity of
a child’s genes that create proteins which impact human behavior. (T/F)
Steinberg, Douglas (2006). Determining Nature vs. Nurture. Scientific American Mind, October/November 2006, 12 – 14.