Week 10

Behavioral Genetics
18 November 2015

10.01 Behavioural Genetics

the study of the role of genetics and the environment in human behaviour
concept of intelligence illustrates how research in behavioural genetics is conducted
After completing this activity you should be able to discuss the extent to which genetics influence behavior
and discuss ethical considerations of this research.
Read pp. 51-56 from your Course Companion eText.
Read pp. 27-29 of the Pamoja Supplementary eText, The Biological
Level of Analysis: Section 3. Genetics and behaviour: A How influential is
inheritence?

2.2 Biological level of analysis: genetics and behaviour (pp. 51-56)

Behavioural genetics
how both genetics and the environment contribute to individual
variations in human behaviour
inheritance of DNA plays a role in behaviour
what is inherited may be one of the building blocks for such
complex behaviours
environmental stimuli
diathesis-stress model is used to explain the origin of
depression
genetic vulnerability and traumatic environmental
stimuli in early childhood
no single cause-and-effect relationship between genes and
behaviour
inheritance: Genes and their DNA are passed down from parents
to their offspring
23 pairs of chromosomes with 25,000 genes
Human Genome Project by James D. Watson from
1990-2003
Genetic research
based on correlational studies
establishes that there is a relationship between
variables, but the researcher does not manipulate an independent
variable as in an experiment
no cause and effect
Twin studies, family studies and adoption studies
share common genetic material
monozygotic - identical

dizygotic - from two eggs

higher the genetic relationship, the more similar
individuals will be if the particular characteristic being investigated is
inherited
concordance rate: correlation found
family studies
different degrees of genetic relatedness are
compared with behaviour
adoption studies
most direct comparison of genetic and
environmental influences of behaviour
selective placement
effects of genetic inheritance may be difficult to
separate from the influences of the environment
extent of genetic influence
Intelligence
IQ: tests that could indicate ones genetically endowed intellectual
potential
inherited or is the result of environmental stimuli
Charles Spearman- Instead of testing a students skill in history,
mathematics, or art history, the test focuses on spatial ability, reasoning,
divergent thinking, and verbal fluency
Research on intelligence
Bouchard and McGue (1981)
111 studies of IQ correlations
between siblings from research studies on intelligence from
around the world
meta-analysisthe statistical
synthesis of the data from a set of comparable studies of a
problem that yields a quantitative summary of the pooled results.
closer the kinship, the higher the
correlation for IQ
Minnesota Twin Study (Bouchard et al. 1990)
MZAs (identical twins raised apart)
are compared to MZTs (identical twins raised together).
heritability estimate of 70 per cent
Bouchard relied on
media coverage to recruit participants. There are some
ethical concerns about the way he reunited the twins.
There was no adequate control to establish the frequency
of contact between the twins prior to the study. We
cannot assume that twins who are raised together
experience the same environmentthis is called the
equal environment assumption.
intelligence of the adopted child is correlated with
the intelligence of the adoptive parent (evident environmental influence)

 Scarr and Weinberg (1977) and Horn et al. (1979)

focused on parents who had raised both adopted and natural children
no significant difference in IQ
correlations
adoptive parents had high IQs, but
adoptive children had low IQs
Wahlsten (1997)
low to high socio-economic status
improved childhood IQ scores by 1216 points, or about one
standard deviation
Some concluding thoughts on intelligence
Is intelligence only based on knowledge, or is it
related to our ability to solve problems?
Hainer et al. (1988) carried out a PET scan study
which indicated that when solving a reasoning problem, individuals with a
high IQ had lower metabolic rates than those with a low IQ.
less effort hypothesis
Plomin and Petrill (1997) found that correlations
between parent and child IQs change over time. increased heritability
throughout the lifespan
James R. Flynn - average mean scores on
standard IQ tests have been going up by about three points every 10
years
BLOA 3. Genetics and behaviour (pp.27-29)
A. How influential is inheritance?
23 pairs of chromosomes, one strand out of the pair comes from
each parent
stronger the concordance rate between two behaviours in MZ
twins raised apart, the higher the heritability (inherited factor) and the lower the
environmental influence
Joseph (2002) argues that the main problem with studies of
raised-apart identical twins is that the investigators mistakenly compare rearedapart identical twins with raised together identical twins - forgetting that both
sets share several important environmental similarities, which include
common age, common sex, similar appearance, similar socioeconomic and
cultural environment, and a common prenatal environment. Therefore, they are
bound to have many similarities in behaviour
Examples of a relevant research study discussing to what extent genetic
inheritance influences behaviour
Rutter and Folstein (1977)
heritability of autism
21 same-sexed twin pairs (11 MZ and 10 DZ) in
which at least one twin showed signs of infantile autism
12 out of the 17 children who had autism without
their twin having it, the presence of autism was associated with some
brain damage
Richardson and Norgate (2006)

meta- analysis (large scale analysis) of adoption

intelligence is a measure that changes over the life

studies and IQ
span
t adoption studies may be useful in determining the
heritability of brain abnormalities carried genetically but not for
determining accurately the heritability of intelligence

10.02 Genetics and Behaviour

we are the product of genetic information from our parents as well our environment
Minnesota Twin Family Study (Links to an external site.).

To what extent does genetics influence behaviour? Your opinion should be presented clearly and be
supported by appropriate evidence and sound argument.

Heritability of Intelligence
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/biologicalfoundations-of-psychology-3/genetics-and-behavior-31/the-influence-of-genes-on-behavior-13712672/
Based on the Minnesota Twin Study, conducted by Bouchard in 1990, an estimate of 70% of intelligence
is inherited and 30% develops according to the environment. This highly cultural and long-term study
focused on MZAs and MTIs. They were tested and interviewed for about 50 hours in order to establish the
concordance rate of intelligence. I found it very interesting and surprising that identical twins raised apart
had a concordance rate of 76% while biological siblings raised together had a rate of only 47%.
Another adoption study by Wahlsten in 1977 transferred children from a low socio-economic family to
parents with a high socio-economic status, which automatically improved their intelligence level, or IQ, by
12-16 points. This study proves that the environment plays almost an equal role to heritability.
I do believe of these two factors that inheritance cannot primarily be attributed to one's level of
intelligence. First, one's definition of the term intelligence may differ from someone else's and it is also a
very complex behavior. Many studies can be conducted in order to analyze the behaviors of animals, but
do they all matter if they are only looking at a specific way one type of animal does something?
The scientific study of human and animal behavior, known as ethology, has discovered that one's genome
has predetermined many behaviors. For example, an infant can learn how to walk between certain ages
according to their genes, but their environment may also influence when they actually start to walk based
on that range.
Based on my knowledge of these studies, I would have to slightly disagree with Bouchard and estimate
that 55% of behavior is inherited and 45% attributes to the environment.

10.03 Summative SAQ: Research

Methods of the BLOA
Review your work on the case study approach (Week 8.2).
Case Studies

 research focusing on correlations between brain structure and/or activity and

behaviour
Laboratory experiments
identifying a cause and effect relationship between two variables (physiological
processes and human behaviour)
Controlling the extraneous variables in a laboratory setting means that an
experiment should be able to be easily replicated, which increases its reliability
You will be answering the following question in 250 words:
Explain why one particular research method has been used at the biological level of analysis.
explain: give a detailed account including reasons or causes

Explain in detail why case studies have been used at the BLOA
qualitative research
findings can be generalized from a single study
The Biological Level of Analysis (BLOA)
1. Principles and research methods of the BLOA
B. Research methods at the BLOA
Correlational studies Case studies Laboratory experiments
Case studies:
in-depth and detailed study of an individual or a particular group in order to obtain a deep
understanding of behaviour
In the BLOA, the case study method is often associated with research focusing on
correlations between brain structure and/or activity and behaviour
localization of function of the brain
ex. Maguires (2000) study on taxi drivers in London,
plasticity of hippocampal
Case studies are often used at the BLOA to find a relationship between the brain and a
specific behaviour.
PET and MRI scans
brain abnormalities provide material for further discoveries
ex. Sacks (1992) study of Greg who lost his memory
due to a brain tumor
psychologists at the BLOA see biological processes as the basis for behaviour
relationship between observed brain activity and behaviour can provide explanations for
human mental disorders, emotions and cognitive processes
BLOA
Patterns of behaviour can be inherited. There are biological correlates to behaviour. Non-human
animal research may inform our understanding of human behaviour.

Scientists who work at the biological level of analysis believe that there are biological correlates
to behavior. One particular qualitative research method is case studies. A case study is simply research of
particular people with a holistic view, which allow for in-depth observations of participants in order to
better understand their behavior related to the structure and activity of the brain. For example, in 2000,
Maguire studied taxi drivers in London to establish localization of the brain and plasticity of the

hippocampus. In most case studies, PET and MRI scans are used. Case studies also all for brain
abnormalities to provide material for further research. For example, in 1992, Sacks studied the effects
relating to memory of the removal of an orange-sized brain tumor on the brain of his participant, Greg.
Psychologists at the BLOA see biological processes as the basis for behaviour. Brain activity is
observed as a certain behavior is conducted in order to provide an explanation of cognitive processes,
mental disorders, and emotions. Individual studies conducted at the BLOA can also be generalized in
most cases because it is simply making a connection between the brain and a behavior. As explained,
case studies have been used at the BLOA because they use biological reasoning to generalize an
explanation for a certain behavior. Although it may not be necessary for every case study to be conducted
at the BLOA, many have been because it is easy to detect active parts of the brain, at a biological level,
and then make a connection between what is happening inside the human body to the action the person
is doing.

Scientists who work at the biological level of analysis believe there are biological correlates to
behavior. One particular qualitative research method which can be used at the BLOA is case studies. A
case study is simply research with a holistic view of particular people, which allow for in-depth
observations of participants in order to better understand their behavior related to the structure and
activity of the brain. In most case studies at the BLOA, PET or MRI scans are used to monitor brain
activity.
Psychologists of the BLOA see biological processes as the basis for behavior. Brain activity is
observed as a certain behavior is performed in order to provide an explanation of cognitive process,
emotions, and mental disorders. Individual studies conducted at the BLOA can also be generalized in
most situations because it is simply making a connection between the brain and a behavior.
If case studies were not conducted at the BLOA, then it would be much more difficult to find
correlations of explanations of specific behaviors. Case studies allow for behaviors to be localized in the
brain, or proving certain regions of the brain have certain functions. As explained, case studies have been
used at the BLOA because they use biological reasoning to generalize an explanation for certain
behaviors.

Submitted:

Scientists who work at the biological level of analysis believe biological correlates to behavior. One
particular qualitative research method which can be used at the BLOA is case studies. A case study
is simply research with a holistic view which focuses on a specific group of people, which allow for
in-depth observations of participants in order to better understand their behavior related tho the
structure and/or activity of the brain. In most case studies at the BLOA, PET or MRI scans are used
to monitor the activity of the brain.
Psychologists of the BLOA believe in biological processes as the basis for behavior. Brain activity is
usually observed as a certain behavior is performed in order to provide an explanation for mental
disorders, emotions, and cognitive process. Case studies can also be generalized when working at
the BLOA because one study can make a correlation between a brain activity and a behavior, which
can then be attributed to most of the population because it is at the biological level.

If case studies were not used, it would be much more difficult to collect data relating what is
happening inside the body, especially in the brain and nervous system, compared to what is
occurring outside, in the real world. Many case studies conducted also use localization, or
connecting a region of the brain with a certain function, as well as brain abnormalities in order to
more easily make generalizations about human behaviors. Examples include Maguire's study of
2000 of localization in the brain of London taxi drivers as well as Sack's study of Greg in 1992 in
which an orange-sized tumor was taken out of his brain, affecting his memory. Biological processes
are responsible for a majority of behavior, however, there are exceptions to many studies and many
factors that may attribute to a certain reaction. In order for case studies to be successful in creating
correlations between the brain and behavior, it must be done at the biological level on analysis as
scientific proof. As explained, case studies use biological reasoning to generalize an explanation of
behaviors.

10.04 Ethical Considerations of Genetics Research (wrong document)

discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour
View this presentation (Links to an external site.) of ethical considerations.
Review pp. 59-60 of the Course Companion eText and pp.31-32 of the
Pamoja Supplementary eText.
http://voicethread.com/myvoice/#thread/3561715/18626678/20654801
moral reasoning: determining right from wrong in a given situation
Ethical considerations in research into genetic influences of behaviour
Research in human genetics aims to identify particular genes involved in hereditary
diseases
research can also be problematic for the participant's family
participants should always know how their privacy and confidentiality will
be protected, and what will happen to any genetic material or information obtained
aims and procedure of the study must be explained
participants must sign an informed consent paper to show that they have
a clear understanding
Confidentiality and privacy can be protected by coding information or by
anonymizing
anonymizing protects confidentiality against insurance
companies, employers, police, but limits scientific value
can reveal unexpected information that may harm research participants
ex. evidence of misattributed paternity or unrevealed
adoptions
ex. carrying a gene - cause undue stress as the
participant then fears the potential onset of the disorder
C. Ethics and genetic research
abortion if fetus shows signs of severe abnormalities
there is a chance that they will discover something about themselves that is difficult to
deal with
Plomin, R. (1999) has conducted many studies into the heritability of
intelligence

Name: Natalie Cassello

24 November 2015
Teacher: Helen Loughran
IB Psychology
Learning Outcome
To what extent does genetic inheritance influence behaviour?

Bouchards (1990) twin study to determine the concordance rates of intelligence is relevant to this
learning outcome.
Scarr and Weinberg (1977), Horn et al. (1979) Wahlsten (1977) and Richardson and Northgate (2006) are
important in terms of countering the argument that intelligence is primarily influenced by genetics. You
should refer to at least two of these studies in any writing on this learning outcome.

Level of Analysis

Investigator/s

Date

BLOA

Bouchard

1990

Description (Aim, Type of study, Participants, Procedures, Findings, Conclusions):

Bouchards study of 1990 is a natural, longitudinal study, in which data is gathered from the same
participants, who are cross-cultured, repeatedly over time. MZAs (identical twins raised apart) and
MTIs (identical twins raised together) with a mean age of 41 at the beginning of the study were
compared. The procedure included approximately 50 hours of interviews and testing per twin in
order to establish the concordance rate of intelligence. It was found that same person tested twice
had an 87% concordance rate, identical twins reared together had an 86%, identical twins reared
apart had 76%, fraternal twins reared together had 55%, and biological siblings reared together
had 47%. Bouchard concluded that an estimate of 70% of intelligence is inherited, which means
30% of intelligence is attributed to other factors.

Evaluation
Methodological Considerations

Ethical Considerations

Gender/Cultural Considerations

The majority of recruiting of

participants relied on media
advertisements. Also, there
was not much of a control of
contact of the twins prior to the
study. This study relied on the
equal environment
assumption, in which twins
raised together are
automatically assumed to have
experienced the same
environment.

The reunion of twins may not

have been conducted in the
most ethically appropriate
manner, causing possible
mental harm. However, there
was informed consent and
debriefing, so there was no
deception as to what the
actual aim of the study was.
Participants also were kept
confidential and able to
withdraw.

This was quite an impressive

study because of its large and
diverse group of participants.

Studies that challenge the genetic argument that intelligence is largely inherited.
Researchers

Brief Description

How is the genetic argument

challenged?

Scarr and Weinberg (1977)

A study comparing the IQ

correlation between both
adopted children, who came
from parents with poor, lowerclass backgrounds and lower
IQs, and natural children
raised in the same home by
the same white, wealthy,
middle class parents with high
IQs.

It was found that there was no

significant differences in IQ
correlations between adoptive
and natural children, proving
that genetics are irrelevant
when it comes to intelligence
and that only the environment
controls a persons
intelligence.

Wahlsten (1977)

An adoption study that was

very well controlled by bringing
children from a low socioeconomic family to parents
with a high socio-economic
status. It found that their IQs
would be raised by about one
standard deviation.

Both genes and the

environment affect intelligence
levels. By transferring infants
to a higher-class environment,
their intelligence automatically
improved, arguing that
genetics are not the only factor
of intelligence.

Richardson and Northgate

(2006)

Another meta-analysis
adoption study in which
children and adults that had
been adopted, by high socioeconomic status and
education, were tested for their
IQs. The correlation of IQs was
calculated between the
adopted children and birth
mothers.

In conclusion, intelligence is a
complex concept, which
evolves over a lifetime.
Genetic brain abnormalities
can be inherited, but
intelligence cannot accurately
be determined by adoption
studies.

Davidson found that meditation can change brain activity and the way that emotions are processed

Richard Davidson (2004)

eight Buddhist monks who were highly experienced
in meditation, and 10 volunteers who had been trained in meditation for
one week
stopped meditating, the volunteers gamma wave
production returned to normal
meditation could have significant long-term effects
on the brain and the way it processes emotions

Name: Natalie Cassello

Teacher: Helen Loughran

24 November 2015

IB Psychology
BLOA Empirical Studies Checklist
Activity
Complete the table to ensure that you have one or two studies for all possible SAQs and
ERQs. You can use the same studies again and again. Davidson (2004) has been cited as an
example of how one study can be used to inform your writing about various learning outcomes.
You are welcome to use Davidson or you may like to add another of your own choosing.
If you find gaps you will need to consult your texts. In terms of the ERQ you would generally
need at least two or three studies.

Learning
outcome/possible
question (remember
any LO can have the

Studies (at least one How I plan to use the

two is better)
study in my writing.
remember that one
study can meet more

command term
changed to become an
SAQ)

than one LO.

Outline two principles

that define the
biological level of
analysis. (Describe,
analyse, explain)

Davidson (2004)

Explain how one

Davidson (2004)
principle that defines
the biological level of
analysis may be
demonstrated in
research (that is,
theories and/or studies).
(Outline, describe,
analyse).

Explain one study

related to localization of
function. (Describe,
analyse, outline)

Maguire (2000)

This study could be

used to illustrate the
principle that there are
biological correlates to
behaviour. As people
meditate (behavior)
the number of gamma
waves in the brain
increases (biological).
Long time meditators
had a permanent
increase in gamma
waves.
This study is relevant to
the principle that there
are biological
correlates to behaviour.
As people meditate
(behavior) the number
of gamma waves in the
brain increases
(biological). Long time
meditators had a
permanent increase in
gamma waves.
This study is related to
localization of function
of the brain. MRI for 16
healthy right-handed
male taxi drivers
between the ages of 32
and 62 and compared
those to the MRI of 50
right-handed healthy
men who were not taxi
drivers. Spatial
memory, from being a
taxi driver in London,
increases the size of

the posterior
hippocampus, as well
as the grey matter.
Using one or more
examples, explain
effects of
neurotransmission on
human behaviour.
(Describe, analyse,
outline)

Kasamatsu and Hirai

(1999)

This study investigated

how sensory
deprivation affects the
brain. Buddhist monks
were observed on their
72 hour pilgrimage in
the cold with no food,
water, or speaking.
Blood samples were
taken before and after
hallucinations occurred
(around the 48 hour
mark) and it was found
that serotonin levels
increased, proving the
hypothalamus and
frontal cortex were
activated. Sensory
deprivation triggers the
release of serotonin.

Using one or more

examples explain
effects of one (two)
hormones on human
behaviour. (Describe,
analyse, outline)

Carrier and Kabbaj This study discovered

that a specific pathway
(2012)

ERQ LOs changed to

be SAQs

Studies

How I plan to use the

study in my writing.

Explain how and why

one particular research
method is used at the
biological level of

Davidson (2004)

Davidson (2004) is an
example of a natural
experiment with two
groups of participants:

in the hippocampus, a
brain region involved in
memory formation and
control of stress
responses, plays a
major role in how
testosterone, the main
male sex hormone,
affects men.

analysis. (Describe,
analyse, outline)

Outline one (two)

ethical consideration(s)
related to research at
the biological level of
analysis. (Describe,
analyse, explain)

novice meditators and

long term meditators.
This approach was
used to determine if
there was a
relationship between
cognition (meditation)
and physiology
(gamma wave activity).
Davidson (2004)

Explain one effect of the Brefczynski-Lewis

(2007)
environment on one
physiological process.
(Describe, analyse,
outline)

Ethical Consideration
#1: Davidson should
have obtained informed
consent from his
participants.
Ethical Consideration
#2: Davidson should
ensure that the
participants experience
no physical or
psychology harm.
Brain activity during
concentration
meditation was
compared between
experienced Tibetan
monks and novice
meditators. Sounds
were presented to test
how distractible the
meditators were.
Attention related brain
regions were activated.

ERQ LOs changed to

be SAQs

Studies

How I plan to use the

study in my writing.

Describe one interaction

between cognition and
physiology in terms of
one behaviour. (Outline,
analyse, explain)

Davidson (2004)

Davidsons study
shows that there is an
interaction between
cognition (meditation)
and physiology

(gamma wave activity).

Meditation increases
gamma wave activity,
and prolonged gamma
wave activity results in
lasting changes to brain
activity.
Outline the use of one
brain imaging
technology in
investigating the
relationship between
biological factors and
behaviour. (Describe,
analyse, explain)

Davidson (2004)

Davidson used EEG

data to show that there
is an interaction
between cognition and
physiology. (In
associated research he
used PET scans.)

Explain how genetic

inheritance influences
behaviour, using one
relevant research study
(Outline, describe,
analyse)

Bouchard (1990)

In order to establish the

concordance rate of
intelligence, interviews
and tests were
conducted on MZAs
and MTIs. An estimate
of 70% of intelligence is
inherited, which means
30% of intelligence is
attributed to other
factors.

Describe one
evolutionary explanation
of behaviour. (Outline,
analyse, explain)

Maguire (2000)

This study found that

localization of function
of the brain and
plasticity allow for the
mass of hippocampus
of taxi drivers to
increase because of the
constant use of spatial
memory.

Describe one ethical

consideration in
research into genetic
influences of behaviour.
(Outline, analyse,
explain)

Bouchard (1990)

The reunion of twins

may not have been
conducted in the most
ethically appropriate
manner, causing
possible mental harm.

ERQ LOs

Same studies as
above may be used

Discuss how and why

particular research
methods are used at the
biological level of
analysis.
(Compare/contrast,
evaluate, examine)

Sack (1992)

A case study in which

abnormalities of the
brain of the participant
allowed for new
discoveries and other
parts of the brain to
take over multiple
functions.

Discuss ethical
considerations related
to research studies at
the biological level of
analysis. (Examine)

Rosenzweig and
Bennett (1972)

A stimulating
environment had
an increased
thickness in the
cortex of rats. Some
rats had neurons
deprived of the cerebral
cortex, causing
potential harm.

Hubel and Wiesel

Discuss two effects of
(1965)
the environment on
physiological processes.
(Examine, to what
extent, evaluate)

Examine one interaction

between cognition and
physiology in terms of
behaviour. (Discuss, to
what extent, evaluate)

Davidson (2004)

This study
demonstrated that the
brain could change as a
response to
environmental input.
Davidsons study
shows that there is an
interaction between
cognition (meditation)
and physiology
(gamma wave activity).
Meditation increases
gamma wave activity,
and prolonged gamma
wave activity results in
lasting changes to brain
activity.

ERQ LOs

Same studies as
above may be used

How I plan to use the

study in my writing.

Discuss the use of

brain imaging
technologies in
investigation the
relationship between
biological factors and
behaviour. (Examine,
evaluate)

Davidson (2004)

Davidson used PET

scans to show that there
is an interaction between
cognition and physiology.

With reference to
relevant research
studies, to what extent
does genetic
inheritance influence
behaviour? (Examine,
to what extent,
evaluate)

Bouchard (1990)

This study supported an

estimate of 70% of
behaviour being
inherited, while 30% is
attributed to the
environment.
Participants included
both MZAs and MTIs to
compare nature vs.
nurture.

Examine one
evolutionary
explanation of
behaviour. (Discuss,
evaluate)

Maguire (2000)

Maguire proved that

plasticity is the reason
for the brain evolving
depending on the
environment.

Discuss ethical
considerations in
research into genetic
influences of
behaviour. (Examine)

Bouchard (1990)

Show how unethical

reintroduction of twins
were in terms of mentally
harming the participants.