Terms/theories: inheritance, twin studies, linkage studies, GWAS, epigenetics, Diathesis Stress Model

Research: You can choose any behaviour you have studied.  Depression:   Kendler, Caspi, Cai et al, Weissman.Obesity: Stunkard et al, Sorenson et al, Herbert et al.  Sexuality: Bailey & Pillard

Critical thinking: No behaviour is the result of a single gene - we are still learning about the role of genes and how the interact both with the environment and with each other. Genetics is a reductionist approach to behaviour. Many of the studies have problems with construct validity - for example, how depression was operationalized for a study; twin, adoption and family studies only study genetics indirectly - only since the HGP have we been able to study specific genes.

Different command terms: SAQs:  Outline, describe and explain; ERQs: To what extent, evaluate research.

Terms/theories: Concordance, family studies, twin studies, adoption studies, monozygotic, dyzygotic

Research: family study - Weissman et al (2005), twin studies Kendler et al (2006),  Bailey & Pillard (1990)  adoption studies - e.g. Sorenson et al on obesity.

Critical thinking: These three types of studies all give us some idea of whether a behaviour may be inherited or not.  Twin studies compare MZ and DZ twins with other siblings.  Adoption studies allow us to address the question of environmental factors. The studies are either retrospective or prospective in nature.  Retrospective studies rely on the memory of childhood experiences that may or may not be reliable. These studies do not tell us which genes may be responsible.

Different command terms: SAQs:  Outline, describe, and explain; ERQs:  To what extent.

Terms/theories: Natural selection, sexual selection, adaptation

Research: Once again, any behaviour may be discussed.  Depression - Raison and Miller; Attraction: Wedekind, Lowe, Buss, Ronay and von Hippel.

Critical thinking: Evolutionary theories are based on the assumption that behaviours are inherited. As we know from our study of genetics, it is difficult to know the extent to which certain behaviours are, in fact, genetically inherited. Since it may be difficult to test empirically some evolution-based theories, researchers may be susceptible to confirmation bias - that is, they see what they expect to see. Much of the research to test evolutionary theories is highly artificial and lacking ecological validity. Research often involves animals as participants. It is debatable to what extent we can generalize from animals to human beings. Evolutionary arguments often underestimate the role of cultural influences in shaping behaviour.

Different command terms: SAQs:  Outline, describe and explain; ERQs: Evaluate

Terms/theories: You should be able to "unpack" each of the ethical considerations that you discuss - e.g. what does "informed consent" mean?

Research: Any research can be used from this unit which focuses on genetics or evolution.

Critical thinking: Informed consent is a concern as it is not always the case that participants can really understand what the research is about as genetics are complex; in addition, how the genetic information information will be used is an important consideration.  Several genetic samples are today in databases - this is an ethical concern.  The anonymity of genetic samples is also important. Debriefing is important - if the researcher learns something in the process of the research that may influence the health of a participant, it is important to inform them and give advice.

Different command terms: SAQs:  Outline, describe and explain; ERQs: no other command term is possible

Terms/theories: You should be able to define any research methods that you choose: experiments, observations, interviews, questionnaires or case studies.

Research: Any research can be used from this unit that focuses on genetics or evolution. Questionnaires were used by Buss; Experiments by Wedekind and Ronay and von Hippel (2010); adoption studies are natural experiments; there are also animal studies that are experimental - including Meaney and Cases. Twin studies are "correlational studies."  Weissman et al. is a case study.  And Caspi et al (2003) may be described as either a case study or a natural experiment.

Critical thinking: As with any question on research methods, it is important that when you have an example, you explain how it uses the method.  Your evaluation should show strengths and limitations of the method, and why that method might be chosen.

Different command terms: SAQs:  Outline, describe and explain; ERQs: Evaluate, contrast

Terms/theories: kinship studies (aka family or pedigree studies).  It is important for this question that you clearly explain the technique and why it is used. 

Research: Family studies: Weissman et al (2005) Twin studies: Bailey & Pillard (1990), Holland et al (1988), Kendler et al (2006), Sorensen et al (1992).

Different command terms: This question may only be asked as an SAQ - and may use the command terms outline, describe or explain.