SUBJECT
Title
Biological Aspects of Developmental Processes
Code
DPSY16-CDM-104
Type of instruction
practice
Level
Doctoral
Part of degree program
Credits
7
Recommended in
Semester 1-4
Typically offered in
Autumn/Spring semester
Course description
The course focuses on the potential biological background of emergent processes from the theoretical angle of human etology, comparative developmental psychology and behavioral genetics.
Molecular behavior genetics
The aim of the course is to familiarize PhD students with the theoretical framework and new developments of behavior genetics.
Offered themes:
- Variability of behavior, individual and group differences. Genes and behavior
- Concepts and principles of the quantitative genetic approach
- Methodology of studying inheritance of animal and human behavior
- Estimating heritability in twin and adoptive designs
- Links between genes and environment (interaction, correlation)
- Limitations of quantitative genetic approach
- Molecular behavior genetics. Molecular mechanisms of inheritance. DNA, RNA, proteins
- The Human Genome Project. The Chimpanzee Genome Project
- Identifying gene effects: candidate genes, whole genome scanning
- Genetic polymorphisms. Gene expression. Genomic imprinting. Epigenetic effects
- Molecular genetics of intelligence, temperament, personality, and psychopathology: the state of the art
Readings
- Di Lalla, L. F. (2004) Behavior Genetics Principles: Perspectives in Development, Personality, and Psychopathology, American Psychological Association.
- Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., Mangun, G. R. (2008) Cognitive neuroscience, 3rd edition, W. W. Norton.
- Rutter, M. (2006) Genes and behavior: Nature-nurture interplay explained, Blackwell.