Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309101964
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 385

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Book Description
Over the past century, we have made great strides in reducing rates of disease and enhancing people's general health. Public health measures such as sanitation, improved hygiene, and vaccines; reduced hazards in the workplace; new drugs and clinical procedures; and, more recently, a growing understanding of the human genome have each played a role in extending the duration and raising the quality of human life. But research conducted over the past few decades shows us that this progress, much of which was based on investigating one causative factor at a time—often, through a single discipline or by a narrow range of practitioners—can only go so far. Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment examines a number of well-described gene-environment interactions, reviews the state of the science in researching such interactions, and recommends priorities not only for research itself but also for its workforce, resource, and infrastructural needs.

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309101964
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 385

Get Book

Book Description
Over the past century, we have made great strides in reducing rates of disease and enhancing people's general health. Public health measures such as sanitation, improved hygiene, and vaccines; reduced hazards in the workplace; new drugs and clinical procedures; and, more recently, a growing understanding of the human genome have each played a role in extending the duration and raising the quality of human life. But research conducted over the past few decades shows us that this progress, much of which was based on investigating one causative factor at a time—often, through a single discipline or by a narrow range of practitioners—can only go so far. Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment examines a number of well-described gene-environment interactions, reviews the state of the science in researching such interactions, and recommends priorities not only for research itself but also for its workforce, resource, and infrastructural needs.

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309133815
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
Over the past century, we have made great strides in reducing rates of disease and enhancing people's general health. Public health measures such as sanitation, improved hygiene, and vaccines; reduced hazards in the workplace; new drugs and clinical procedures; and, more recently, a growing understanding of the human genome have each played a role in extending the duration and raising the quality of human life. But research conducted over the past few decades shows us that this progress, much of which was based on investigating one causative factor at a time—often, through a single discipline or by a narrow range of practitioners—can only go so far. Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment examines a number of well-described gene-environment interactions, reviews the state of the science in researching such interactions, and recommends priorities not only for research itself but also for its workforce, resource, and infrastructural needs.

The Dependent Gene

The Dependent Gene PDF Author: David S. Moore
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 9780805072808
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
This book provides an analysis of the nature vs. nuture debate, arguing for an end to the 'either/or' nature of the discussions in favor of a recognition that environmental and genetic factors interact throughout life to form human traits.

Genes, Brain Function, and Behavior

Genes, Brain Function, and Behavior PDF Author: Douglas Wahlsten
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128128321
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
Genes, Brain Function, and Behavior offers a concise description of the nervous system that processes sensory input and initiates motor movements. It reviews how behaviors are defined and measured, and how experts decide when a behavior is perturbed and in need of treatment. Behavioral disorders that are clearly related to a defect in a specific gene are reviewed, and the challenges of understanding complex traits such as intelligence, autism and schizophrenia that involve numerous genes and environmental factors are explored. New methods of altering genes offer hope for treating or even preventing difficulties that arise in our genes. This book explains what genes are, what they do in the nervous system, and how this impacts both brain function and behavior. Presents essential background, facts, and terminology about genes, brain function, and behavior Builds clear explanations on this solid foundation while minimizing technical jargon Explores in depth several single-gene and chromosomal neurological disorders Derives lessons from these clear examples and highlights key lessons in boxes Examines the intricacies of complex traits that involve multiple genetic and environmental factors by applying lessons from simpler disorders Explains diagnosis and definition Includes a companion website with Powerpoint slides and images for each chapter for instructors and links to resources

Nature and Nurture

Nature and Nurture PDF Author: Cynthia Garcia Coll
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 1135628971
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
A product of a conference held at Brown University in 2001, this volume suggests that genes and environments work together interactively in a complex fashion. It presents a variety of views on the ways in which dynamic, mutually interactive systems in the genetic and environmental domains operate.

The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide

The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide PDF Author: Yogesh Dwivedi
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 143983881X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 485

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Book Description
With recent studies using genetic, epigenetic, and other molecular and neurochemical approaches, a new era has begun in understanding pathophysiology of suicide. Emerging evidence suggests that neurobiological factors are not only critical in providing potential risk factors but also provide a promising approach to develop more effective treatment and prevention strategies. The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide discusses the most recent findings in suicide neurobiology. Psychological, psychosocial, and cultural factors are important in determining the risk factors for suicide; however, they offer weak prediction and can be of little clinical use. Interestingly, cognitive characteristics are different among depressed suicidal and depressed nonsuicidal subjects, and could be involved in the development of suicidal behavior. The characterization of the neurobiological basis of suicide is in delineating the risk factors associated with suicide. The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide focuses on how and why these neurobiological factors are crucial in the pathogenic mechanisms of suicidal behavior and how these findings can be transformed into potential therapeutic applications.

From Neurons to Neighborhoods

From Neurons to Neighborhoods PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309069882
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 610

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Book Description
How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

Are We Hardwired?

Are We Hardwired? PDF Author: William R. Clark
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190292318
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
Books such as Richard Dawkins's The Selfish Gene have aroused fierce controversy by arguing for the powerful influence of genes on human behavior. But are we entirely at the mercy of our chromosomes? In Are We Hardwired?, scientists William R. Clark and Michael Grunstein say the answer is both yes--and no. The power and fascination of Are We Hardwired? lie in their explanation of that deceptively simple answer. Using eye-opening examples of genetically identical twins who, though raised in different families, have had remarkably parallel lives, the authors show that indeed roughly half of human behavior can be accounted for by DNA. But the picture is quite complicated. Clark and Grunstein take us on a tour of modern genetics and behavioral science, revealing that few elements of behavior depend upon a single gene; complexes of genes, often across chromosomes, drive most of our heredity-based actions. To illustrate this point, they examine the genetic basis, and quirks, of individual behavioral traits--including aggression, sexuality, mental function, eating disorders, alcoholism, and drug abuse. They show that genes and environment are not opposing forces; heredity shapes how we interpret our surroundings, which in turn changes the very structure of our brain. Clearly we are not simply puppets of either influence. Perhaps most interesting, the book suggests that the source of our ability to choose, to act unexpectedly, may lie in the chaos principle: the most minute differences during activation of a single neuron may lead to utterly unpredictable actions. This masterful account of the nature-nurture controversy--at once provocative and informative--answers some of our oldest questions in unexpected new ways

Genes and Behavior

Genes and Behavior PDF Author: Sir Michael Rutter
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
ISBN: 9781405110624
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
In this major new book, eminent scientist Professor Sir Michael Rutter gets behind the hype of the behavioral genetics debate to provide a balanced and authoritative overview of the genetic revolution and its implications for understanding human behavior. Written by one of the world's leading figures in child psychology and psychiatry, Professor Sir Michael Rutter Provides non-technical explanation of genetics to diffuse the sensational debates surrounding the topic Sets out in layman's terms what genes do, how much is nature and how much is nurture Argues that nature and nurture are not truly separate and gives examples of how the two interact Looks at the implications of genetic findings for policy and practice The book will inform public debate about the implications of the Human Genome Project and, more broadly, the field of genetic science

Genes, Culture, and Personality

Genes, Culture, and Personality PDF Author: Bozzano G Luisa
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 1483288463
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 465

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Book Description
The diversity of human behavior is one of the most fascinating aspects of human biology. What makes our individual attitudes, lifestyle and personalities different has been the subject of many physiological and psychological theories. In this book the emphasis is on understanding the genetic and environmental causes of these differences. Genes, Culture, and Personality is an expansive account of the state of current knowledge about the causes of individual differences in personality and social attitudes. Based on almost two decades of empirical research, the authors have made a significant contribution to the debate on genetic and cultural inheritance in human behavior. The book should be required reading for psychologists, psychiatrists, sociobiologists, and geneticists.