Behavioral Genetics
Definition: Behavioral genetics is a field of study that investigates the influence of genes and hereditary factors on human behavior.
Genetic Factors
Definition: Genetic factors refer to the variations in an individual’s DNA sequence that can contribute to the development and manifestation of behavioral traits.
Heritability
Definition: Heritability is a statistical measure that estimates the proportion of variance in a certain trait or behavior that can be attributed to genetic differences among individuals in a population.
Twin Studies
Definition: Twin studies are research designs that compare the behavioral similarities between identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to determine the relative contributions of genetics and environment to specific traits.
Gene-Environment Interactions
Definition: Gene-environment interactions occur when the impact of genes on behavior varies depending on different environmental contexts and experiences.
Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS)
Definition: GWAS is a study approach that examines the entire genome of a large number of individuals to identify genetic variants associated with specific behavioral traits or disorders.
Molecular Genetics
Definition: Molecular genetics investigates the specific genes and their molecular mechanisms that influence behavior, aiming to identify the biological pathways underlying behavioral phenotypes.