...personality. Dispositional theories explain the relationship between personality and attributes. The most well known dispositional theories are factor, tract and Allport’s Psychology of individual theory (Paul, 2009). This chapter will discuss the differences between dispositional and evolutionary or biological personality theories, the strengths or both and how the Big Five personality test is used in the study of personality. The differences between dispositional and biological theories The assumptions of dispositional theories vary from those of other theorists because they provide the basis of study for personality. On the other hand, biological or evolutionary theories believe that personality development is mainly governed by biological maturation in an individual. Environmental factors which may also influence an individual personality are viewed as part of evolutionary theories (Peterson, 2013). Biological oriented personality theories argue that specific environmental factors are not necessary for a species development but the factors are viewed as a provider of opportunities for biological development. Environmental factors in biological theories are required for an individual personality functional and adaptive development. Dispositional theories bring together several thoughts about human personality. The basis of these theories is that human nature is a combination of both genetics and heritage and they have permanent effects on how an individual present himself...
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...Natural Vs Artificial Selection in dogs that has been altered to suit a person’s need Introduction Dogs exist in both wild and domestic set-up whereby they vary in shape and size. This means that there are different breeds of dogs resulting from artificial and natural selection. Each existing species was created separately but they can be modified by the environment. However, these changes are limited hence cannot produce a new species. Artificial selection is whereby a species of a particular plant or animal is modifies by breeders into a distinct breed with unique physical attributes. The offspring obtained from each breeding process may exhibit minimal differences that only a breeder can identify. The aim of this breeding process is to breed an offspring with desired physical attributes, which is then allowed to breed further. An offspring with undesired physical attributes is not allowed to breed. The breeding process is repeated until the small differences observed increase gradually. This represents the process of artificial selection (Venemma). Natural selection represents a similar process that occurs in nature. In a natural setup, organisms normally vary hence reproduce at a specific geometric rate. Survival of these organisms depends on adaptation to the natural environment (Pollan 23). This creates a division whereby organisms that are environmentally suited will reproduce and those not suited will die. This is a resemblance of artificial selection, but this natural...
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...it seems quite believable. This movie presents us with a new method in which society strives for perfection and it also makes us wonder if genetic engineering is morally correct. Your place in society in Gattaca is based on your genetic makeup and the way you were born. People born the way we know as natural are "in-valids". On the other hand people born with the aid of genetic engineering are "valids." An "in-valid" has his future set out to be a cleaner or other insignificant job in society which doesn't require an education. A new form of prejudice has been recently debated about, which is the idea of having greater or second-rate genes. Within the movie, the natural method of birth is genetic engineering, which is unlike what our society perceives to be natural. Genetic engineering leads to genetic selection from the parents who choose to eliminate any defects, diseases or genetic illnesses. Some parents may want to leave several genetic traits to chance rather then selecting the attributes of their son or daughter. To what extent is this process of conception morally right, if even right at all? Morally speaking, genetic engineering in any conception should only be used in extreme circumstances. If the natural method of conception isn't possible in the parents then genetic engineering should be the last resort, but only if the genetic changes take place to provide a healthy child, not to give this child any known advantages over other children born "naturally". Jerome...
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...evolution incorporates a logical view that natural life on our planet has changed over time and continues to change by a process known as "natural selection". Charles Darwin, a nineteenth century naturalist, is given credit for this hypothesis, not just because he was the first person to suggest that evolution occurs. Natural selection is where organisms that are most best suited to their habitat or surroundings, survive and pass on their hereditary attributes for future generations. Charles Darwin “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Therefore, the fittest survive and multiply. Natural...
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...society. It raises a moral question about whether the approach used for genetic engineering is ethically acceptable. In this society, an individual’s place in the society is determined by their genetic makeup and circumstances under which they get born. Invalids are people born through natural process while valids are individuals whose existence came about through the process of genetic engineering. Despite the advancements in the society, it is prudent to respect the natural laws of the existence of living things, including human beings, a concept that seems overrun by time in this movie....
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...Evolution and Theory of Plate Tectonics The most important and vital development of plate tectonic theory and evolution appeared to be among the most crucial scientific achievements in the 20th century. The theory concept offers a relevant structure towards the knowledge of all natural Earth attributes. It additionally provides one particular framework with regard to the knowledge of both planet's origin and outlook. Notably, the evolution of life on the planet remains significantly impacted by plate tectonic processes. This may involve the historic, societal, and cultural advancement of humanity. In other words, plate tectonic theory is an encompassing conjecture regarding different scientific theories that demonstrate the naturally occurring Earth characteristics have actually formed the historical past from the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, and all life organisms. Many scientific theories are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them substantially. For example, no new evidence will demonstrate that the Earth does not orbit around the sun (heliocentric theory), or that living things are not made of cells (cell theory), that matter is not composed of atoms, or that the surface of the Earth is not divided into solid plates that have moved over geological timescales (the theory of plate tectonics). Like these other foundational scientific theories, the theory of evolution is supported by so many observations and confirming experiments...
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...different beliefs and should be able to practice anything they would like. Human nature is just like natural instinct and I honestly believe actions that occur in a person’s life helps to define who they become. Human nature was shaped through the forces of natural selection, like all functional features found in organisms. The reason that human nature is the way it is because it was adaptive to be that way in the past. (Cambridge, 2013) Human nature, like all functional attributes of organisms, was determined by differential reproduction of varying entities in the ancestral environment. Certain behaviors, responses, or emotions were adaptive in particular situations in our ancestors' hunter-gatherer environment. Those that possessed these behaviors, responses, and emotions were more likely to reproduce than those who did not possess them; therefore the genetic predisposition toward those things was also passed down to the next generation. (Quest, 2000) In time, the genes for those behaviors had become quite prevalent in the population, driving different alleles nearly to extinction. Of course, different genetic combinations of these adaptations could arise, but these too would be subject to the forces of natural selection. In this way, the seemingly automatic responses to many ordinary stimuli that we call "human nature" were hard-wired into our brains by natural selection at work. (Quest, 2000) All in all, many of...
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...POMARICO Outline 1A CHAPTER 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO LIFE ON EARTH What is Biology? --- The science of living organisms and life processes. O.K., so what is science? And If biology is the science of “life,” what exactly is life? We all recognize what life is, but it’s difficult to define. The characteristics of life: 1) -Complex, organized structure 2) -Response to stimuli - a change outside (or inside) leads to another change 3) -Homeostasis - the ability to maintain the structure and regulate the internal environment. 4) -Ability to acquire material and energy >The material and energy are often transformed< 5) -Growth 6) -Reproduction - either sexual or asexual >DNA is genetic information, the “blueprint” for the offspring< 7) -Ability to evolve - to change to fit the environment Complex, organized structure The complexity of life is built in levels. (see fig 1-2) Each level has ingredients or components which interact to make something greater than the sum of the parts. -Subatomic particles -Atoms -Molecules -Organelles (not present in prokaryotes) -Cells -Tissues (present only in multicellular eukaryotes) -Organs (present only in multicellular eukaryotes) -Organ systems (present only in multicellular eukaryotes) -Multicelled organisms -Populations -Community -Ecosystem -Biosphere Response to stimuli Organisms react to external and internal stimuli. Some reactions...
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...theological, and sociological reflections. It will also cover the scientific process of evolution showing my agreement or disagreement with the process. What is Evolution? Organisms or species go through many hereditary changes over an extended period of time (Coyne, 2009). This means that one generation will be different from the other as they continue to evolve through changes in their genetic composition as they adapt to their environment (Coyne, 2009). Another belief concerning evolution is the concept of gradualism, which believes that a change in a species takes place after many generations have evolved, such as the development of birds from reptiles (Coyne, 2009). Speciation, yet another evolutionary concept, has the belief that although species share common traits they are all unique (Coyne, 2009). This means, even though species may have a common ancestor somewhere in their development the genes divided to create another species (Coyne, 2009). The common ancestor, the fourth concept of Darwin’s theory of evolution, is the other side of speciation (Coyne, 2009). It believes that genetic traits in organisms can be traced back to the original species by...
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...Are Modern Humans Still Evolving?In the year eighteen fifty-nine, Charles Darwin published a book which he called “The Origin of Species”. In this book Darwin theorized that populations evolve over the years through a process called natural selection. Darwin realized that in a population, more individuals were born than could possibly survive, he also recognized that the individuals that survived and reproduced were the ones with some sort of competitive advantage over rival animals, therefore they were more likely to pass their useful traits down to their offspring (Darwin, 1859). As this process of natural selection occurred for millions of years, these desirable traits that were once only prevalent in a few individual animals became common traits for entire species (Winston, 2009). There are countless amounts of evidence that suggest that humans owe their existence to evolution, however, many people are skeptical as to whether or not it is still occurring, and whether or not it is happening in the same way. Some scientists hold that the human race has reached “its biological pinnacle and is no longer capable of changing” (McKie, 2005, ¶1). Alternatively, some experts believe that humans are evolving faster than ever (Sample, 2007), and others believe it is still happening, just on different terms. There has not been any deciding evidence as to whether or not humans are still evolving, however, saying it isn’t happening is a very difficult position to defend. Gene mutations...
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...Evolvability of Animal Developmental Systems: Remarks on their Modularity and Robustness Riddhi Benani Department of Life Sciences Imperial College London, UK Supervisor: Prof Armand Leroi June 11, 2012 Abstract The ultimate aim of Evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo) is to answer questions about evolvability of animal developmental systems. Evolvability or the ability to evolve is a ubiquitous property of living organisms. More specifically, it is the capacity to generate heritable, non-lethal phenotypic variation. Biologists have long recognized that evolvability of developmental programs in animals is key to their complex morphological architecture. However there is an increasing need to synthesize known facts about the developmental phenomena into mechanistic descriptions of complex systems. This ambition demands the need to understand the underlying determinants of evolvable developmental systems. I aim to review the dynamics of two systems-level phenomena: modularity and robustness and their evolutionary implications. Despite a plethora of literature, these terms have remained very ambiguous. Modularity reduces interdependence of components and confers robustness. Robustness, which is broadly understood, as the insensitivity of a biological systems functionalities to perturbations is another design principle in itself. Such robustness could enhance the potential for future evolutionary innovations. Both these properties therefore affect evolvability of a lineage...
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...The Endocrine System- Hormones and Behavior The Endocrine System Hormones & Behaviors Our behavior is not solely a product of the nervous system. The endocrine glands are equally important parallel communication system in the body. The endocrine system is made up of glands that secrete chemicals directly into the bloodstream or the lymph system. I have found a table that shows which glands are in the body and what exactly they produce or do for a human. Adrenal glands - Divided into 2 regions; secrete hormones that influence the body's metabolism, blood chemicals, and body characteristics, as well as influence the part of the nervous system that is involved in the response and defense against stress. Hypothalamus - Activates and controls the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions, the hormonal system, and many body functions, such as regulating sleep and stimulating appetite. Ovaries and testicles - Secrete hormones that influence female and male characteristics, respectively. Pancreas -Secretes a hormone (insulin) that controls the use of glucose by the body. Parathyroid glands - Secrete a hormone that maintains the calcium level in the blood. Pineal body - Involved with daily biological cycles. Helps regulate the body rhythms and sleep cycles. Pituitary gland - Produces a number of different hormones that influence various other endocrine glands. Thymus gland - Plays a role in the body's immune...
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...methodology used to describe existing theories on social sciences but also the narrow environment in which new management models could be constructed. In the year 2010 The Economist published a response to Sumatra's article, suggesting that other ways of conducting experiments in the field of management are being tested, mainly through the use of more discrete factors (such as an individual's DNA structure and hormone panels) and through more practical methods (the twin-studies). In Dr Cosmides and Dr Tooby research they attempt to give "scientific" meaning to management by "applying the rigor of biology" ('The biology of business' p. 1). Scientists have looked at twin-studies for answers regarding the difference between upbringing and pure genetic material. After discovery of deception from one of the fields pioneers, Sir Cyril Burt, the twin-studies have lost part of their popularity. Needless to say that the differences between twins and normal brothers are still an interesting approach and can still yield verisimilar results if preformed correctly. In the two studies elaborated in the article the results suggest that while women have shown to have extrovert traits from birth, males are generally imbedded with extrovert and sensation-seeking through their experiences. The conclusion is thus: "Businesswomen, it seems, are born. But businessmen are made." ('The biology of science' p.3) The latter twin study (performed only on males)...
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...needs to add regulation for the use of genetic engineering, considering the effect on human genetics in future generations, how it adds to the social-economic divide, and lastly how this...
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...Genetic engineering as the direct transfer of changing DNA from one organism to another first happened in 1973 by Herbert Byer and Stanley Cohen (Wahlberg, “Raises Ethical Question”). Genetic engineering is a newer scientific technique that used to be impossible to even think about. This science is used for alterations to plants, animals, and sometime in the future humans too. Some of the uses are alright, but performing genetic engineering on humans should never happen. Genetic engineering was once difficult, if not impossible to use because scientists lacked certain technology to achieve it, but recently more has been learned about this futuristic technique. Webster’s dictionary defines genetic engineering as a science of making changes...
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