Unit 3 Nature vs. Nurture
Unit Duration: Approx 4 days. September 2nd, 5th , 6th , and 7th
Biological Basis 8-10% of the AP Exam
Textbook – Chapter 3
Standards:
Students should be able to do the following
Biological Basis
 (BB6) Discuss psychology’s abiding interest in how heredity, environment, and evolution
work together to shape behavior.
 (BB7) Predict how traits and behavior can be selected for their adaptive value
 (BB8) Identify key contributors
Lessons:
Day 1- General Notes on Nature vs Nurture (BB6)
Day 2- Work on Webquest of Nature vs Nurture (BB7, BB8)
Day 3- Discussion on Genie “The Wild Child” (BB7)
Day 4- Presentations of Webquest (BB7, BB8)
Essential Questions:
LP3.1 – What factors are in the Nature vs. Nurture debate?
LP 3.2 – How does heredity, environment, and evolution play into the decision making process to decide if a person is
more Nature or Nurture in their beliefs?
LP 3.3 – What behavior would be selected to adapt to the environmental changes you encounter?
Key Questions:
1. Describe the composition and physical location of genes?
2. What is the impact of evolutionary history on genetically predisposed behavioral tendencies?
3. What gender differences in sexual behavior (appropriate responses here please!) are common place and
describe and evaluate evolutionary explanations for those differences?
4. Explain how twin and adoption studies help us differentiate hereditary and environmental influences on
human traits?
5. Discuss how differences in infant temperament illustrate the effect of heredity on development
6. Predict how the absence of various forms of nurture could possible change a person’s development
7. Explain how twins may experience different prenatal environments, and describe the effect of early
experiences on brain development
Unit Activities:
Activity
Activity
3.1.1
Activity
3.1.2
Activity
3.2.1
Activity
3.3.1
Activity
3.3.2
Activity
3.3.3
Below are the Activities the student is responsible for
completing during the duration of the Unit
Projected Date
of completion
Opening Activity- Video on CNN
9/2/11
Notes on Nature vs. Nurture (Dr. McCubbin’s PPT-Clemson)
9/2/11
Nature vs. Nurture Webquest
9/8/11
Opening Activity – Effects of isolation
9/7/11
Story of Genie the wild child- Discussion
9/7/11
Presentations of Webquest
9/8/11
Actual Date
of completion
Assignments Due:
Assignments that will be graded
Vocabulary Ch 3/4
Vocabulary
Activity
Development Charts
Project
N vs. N Webquest
Quiz
Quiz on Chapter 3
Test
Chapter41 Test
Total Possible Points
20 points
25 points
25 points
30 points
100 points
Total Points Earned