About this course: Behavioral genetic methodologies from twin and adoption studies through DNA analysis will be described and applied to address longstanding questions about the origins of individual differences in behavioral traits.
Created by: University of Minnesota
Taught by: Matt McGue, Regents Professor
Psychology
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
1
Unit # 1: Course Introduction and OverviewOverview: Unit # 1 provides an overview to the field of human behavioral genetics and to this course. We will begin by discussing the early history of the field and how behavioral genetic research influenced and was...
7 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Unit 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
2
In Unit #2 the twin study method will be introduced and general findings from twin studies in psychology and psychiatry will be reviewed. The two types of twins, monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ), will be described and methods for assessing their similarity ...
8 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Unit 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
3
Some of the most contentious issues in behavioral genetics surround the concept of heritability – Is it a meaningful statistic? Can it be accurately estimated in studies on humans? How should it be interpreted? In this unit we will discuss what is meant by her...
7 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Unit 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
4
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was begun in 1990 and declared complete in 2003. It has revolutionized our understanding of genetics and will ultimately revolutionize medical practice. In my opinion, every educated citizen should know some basic findings from t...
10 videos, 3 readings
Graded: Unit 4 Quiz
WEEK 5
5
Now that we have a foundation in basic biometric and molecular genetics we can begin to look in depth at genetic research for behavioral phenotypes. This week we will focus on schizophrenia. There are several reasons for this focus. First, genetics research ha...
9 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Unit 5 Quiz
WEEK 6
6
If there is an area of psychology that generates more heated debate than behavioral genetics it would be the field of intelligence research. While most of us acknowledge the differences among us in personality and even risk for mental illness, for some of us d...
8 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Unit 6 Quiz
WEEK 7
7
I am sure many of you wondered about the impact of age on biometric estimates when we discussed general cognitive ability last week. Indeed some of you asked about this issue on the Forums. You were right to raise the question because this is an important issu...
8 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Unit 7 Quiz
WEEK 8
8
It is hard to believe we are already to the 8th and final week of the course. This unit begins with an overall summary of human behavioral genetic research organized around four general findings, or ‘laws’ of behavioral genetic research. We will then consider,...
8 videos, 2 readings
Graded: Unit 8 Quiz
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Ratings and Reviews
The discussion board was not very active in this session/iteration, but the coarse was well put together, balanced and interesting. Hence, 5 stars!
I learned a lot more indepth information about genetics and the role genes play in our lives.
I am intrigued by this course and determined to learn more about this field in the future. Thank you Professor and your team.
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Amazing course! Everything was very clear and extremly intresting.