topic 3
Genetics and Biological Foundations of Development
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Critical Thinking Questions The question of nature vs.
nurture has always revolved around the contributions of genetics and biology to the development of the individual. Today this question is less and less about whether one or the other contributes to development, but more about how each
makes its particular contribution.
The first article highlights one important area that is seen as being strongly influenced by genetics. "Does IQ Matter?" is an
especially lively debate between specialists with differing viewpoints on Hernnstein and Murray's controversial book "The Bell Curve," which reports research concluding that IQ is largely genetically determined and thus
varies by ethnic origin (due to genetic differences). After reading this article, and the second, which is a research report on heritability research on cognitive ability, try to answer the following questions: What is the central
question that is being debated? Is this an important question? Which arguments in this debate seem most valid to you? Why? If IQ is largely determined by one's genes, then what difference would environmental factors make? Provide
support for your answers. "Does IQ matter?" Christopher F. Chabris & critics. (twenty-two scholars and Chabris respond to the controversy generated by his Aug. 1998 Commentary
article 'IQ Since The Bell Curve' about the psychometric view of intelligence). Commentary, Nov 1998 v106 n5 p13(12). "Twins: En route to QTLs for cognition." (quantitative trait loci)(human genetics
research). Irving I. Gottesman. Science, June 6, 1997 v276 n5318 p1522(2).
Research Questions The research described in the article below asks whether
aging as a developmental process is affected by biological factors occurring during pregnancy. After reading the article answer the following questions: Describe the sample for this study. What measures were used to describe
rates of aging? What do the conclusions of this study suggest as to prenatal care needs of mothers and their infants? Do you agree with the researchers' conclusions? Why or why not?
"Are rates of aging determined in utero?" Avan Aihie Sayer, Cyrus Cooper, Jennifer R. Evans, Abdul Rauf, Richard P.L. Wormald, Clive Osmond and David J.P. Barker. Age and Aging , Sept 1998 p579(1).
Suggested Readings from Infotrac College Edition "Genetics
and intelligence."(Genetics of Childhood Disorders, part 1) Robert J. Sternberg and Elena L. Grigorenko. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, April 1999 v38 i4 p486(3). A critical discussion
of the conceptualization of intelligence and the contribution of genetic factors co-authored by intelligence theorist Robert Sternberg.
"Experience, brain, and behavior: The
importance of a head start." Leon Eisenberg. Pediatrics, May 1999 v103 i5 p1031(1). The relationship between genetics, the biological processes behind brain development and experience are discussed. "Developmental
psychopathology, personality, and temperament: Reflections on recent behavioral genetics research." Joel T. Nigg and H. Hill Goldsmith. Human Biology, April 1998 v70 n2 p387(26). "Nature's clones."
(research on twins). Jill Neimark, Tracy Cochran and Larry Dossey. Psychology Today, July-August 1997 v30 n4 p36(15). This article is a discussion of the heritability of personality traits as supported by studies of monozygotic
twins. "Silence of the genes." (new findings on 'imprinted' genes). Brendan I. Koerner. U.S. News & World Report, Dec 8, 1997 v123 n22 p67(2). A discussion of the importance of new findings from British research
on the process of genetic "imprinting" (in which genes seem to be arbitrarily "switched on") and its relevance to the development of disorders. "The premature ageing syndromes: Insights into the
ageing process." (United Kingdom) Christopher A.E. Dyer and Alan J. Sinclair. Age and Ageing, Jan 1998 v27 n1 p73(8). A discussion of the contributors to aging, including genetic influences.
This article discusses the importance of
findings in behavior genetics that elucidate the complex interplay between genetics and the environment and their contributions toward the development of psychopathology during the lifespan.