How Genes Influence Behavior
1st Edition
Published on 28. January 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
264 pages
978-0-19-955990-9 (ISBN)
Description
How important are genetic influences on behavior?
How many genes influence an individual behavior, and how much influence does a single gene have?
How do genes interact with the environment to influence the development of behavioral traits?
What are the differences between humans and 'simpler' organisms when it comes to the genetic control of behavior?
How Genes Influence Behavior is a unique introduction to behavioral genetics, which combines conceptual rigor with accessibility to answer questions such as these - answers that carry important implications for the nature of who we are.
Offering unparalleled insights into how behavioural genetics is probed through real-world research, it considers evidence from humans and the major model organisms of mouse, fruit-fly and nematode worm to demonstrate how much of our current understanding of the genetic basis of human behavior stems from our exploration of other animals. Further, it uses these studies to connect the key themes of the book - the nature of gene action, and the inter-relationship of genetic and environmental
influences on behaviour - across organisms, highlighting key commonalities and differences.
The book also shows the major impact that neurobiology is having on our understanding of the field, to give a true depiction of behavioral genetics in the 21st century. However, care is taken throughout not to overwhelm the reader with scientific detail. Instead, the authors make the book fun to read without sacrificing accuracy or devaluing the complexity of the subject matter: they 'personalize' the science, mixing more standard narrative with biographical details to make the subject come
alive.
With the media filled with talk of the discovery of genes 'for' an array of human behaviors, there has never been a more pressing need for today's students - tomorrow's researchers - to be equipped with a clear, balanced view of the field. How Genes Influence Behavior is the perfect guide for all students, delivered in the words of three researchers who have witnessed first-hand the emergence of this fascinating field, and whose own investigations have been central to our current
understanding of it.
Online Resource Centre
The Online Resource Centre to accompany How Genes Influence Behavior features the following resources for lecturers and students.
For registered adopters
Figures from the book, available to download
For students
Hyperlinks to primary literature cited in the text
How many genes influence an individual behavior, and how much influence does a single gene have?
How do genes interact with the environment to influence the development of behavioral traits?
What are the differences between humans and 'simpler' organisms when it comes to the genetic control of behavior?
How Genes Influence Behavior is a unique introduction to behavioral genetics, which combines conceptual rigor with accessibility to answer questions such as these - answers that carry important implications for the nature of who we are.
Offering unparalleled insights into how behavioural genetics is probed through real-world research, it considers evidence from humans and the major model organisms of mouse, fruit-fly and nematode worm to demonstrate how much of our current understanding of the genetic basis of human behavior stems from our exploration of other animals. Further, it uses these studies to connect the key themes of the book - the nature of gene action, and the inter-relationship of genetic and environmental
influences on behaviour - across organisms, highlighting key commonalities and differences.
The book also shows the major impact that neurobiology is having on our understanding of the field, to give a true depiction of behavioral genetics in the 21st century. However, care is taken throughout not to overwhelm the reader with scientific detail. Instead, the authors make the book fun to read without sacrificing accuracy or devaluing the complexity of the subject matter: they 'personalize' the science, mixing more standard narrative with biographical details to make the subject come
alive.
With the media filled with talk of the discovery of genes 'for' an array of human behaviors, there has never been a more pressing need for today's students - tomorrow's researchers - to be equipped with a clear, balanced view of the field. How Genes Influence Behavior is the perfect guide for all students, delivered in the words of three researchers who have witnessed first-hand the emergence of this fascinating field, and whose own investigations have been central to our current
understanding of it.
Online Resource Centre
The Online Resource Centre to accompany How Genes Influence Behavior features the following resources for lecturers and students.
For registered adopters
Figures from the book, available to download
For students
Hyperlinks to primary literature cited in the text
Reviews / Votes
This is an extremely accessible and fun to read textbook about molecular genetic research into behaviour and psychopathology. The authors have made great efforts to make the subject matter that can be 'scary' to students, very easy to read. Difficult concepts are explained clearly and the text is full of entertaining anecdotes that are likely to help the students remember the factual content of the chapters. * Dr Essi Viding, University College London * I found this informative and brilliantly-written. I think students will enjoy learning from this resource which is current, engaging and witty. Two of the best researchers in the field have come together to share their most interesting and exciting career-stories. * Dr Alice Gregory, Goldsmiths, University of London * Without question, this is, by far, the best account for non-specialists of how genes influence behaviour. * Michael Rutter, Psychological Medicine * These titans of research have crafted a helpful introduction to the relationship between genes and behavior, an introduction that is also unique for its interdisciplinary approach to genetic questions. * Debby Tsuang and Andrew David, The American Journal of Psychiatry *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
120 colour line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 245 mm
Width: 189 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
571 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-955990-9 (9780199559909)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Jonathan Flint is a Professor at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University. He has extensive experience in molecular biology, molecular genetics, and rodent behavioural genetics with a specific focus on models of anxiety.
Ralph Greenspan is based at the Neuroscience Institute in San Diego. He has studied the genetic foundations of many behaviours in Drosophila, and has analyzed naturally occurring genetic variations in its behaviour.
Kenneth Kendler is a Professor at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at the Virginia Commonwealth University. He has conducted family and twin studies on a range of psychiatric and drug use disorders, and has conducted gene finding studies for schizophrenia, alcoholism, and drug dependence.
Ralph Greenspan is based at the Neuroscience Institute in San Diego. He has studied the genetic foundations of many behaviours in Drosophila, and has analyzed naturally occurring genetic variations in its behaviour.
Kenneth Kendler is a Professor at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at the Virginia Commonwealth University. He has conducted family and twin studies on a range of psychiatric and drug use disorders, and has conducted gene finding studies for schizophrenia, alcoholism, and drug dependence.
Content
1. Introduction ; 2. Schizophrenia - All in the Family? ; 3. Molecular genetics - Linkage Analysis ; 4. Other Human Phenotypes - Genetic Influences on Alcoholism, Depression, and Personality ; 5. Genetic association analysis and candidate genes ; 6. Genome wide association studies ; 7. Model systems: Mice ; 8. Model systems: Genetic Variation in Flies and Worms ; 9. Model Systems: Circadian Rhythms ; 10. Model Systems: Neural Mechanisms of Learning and Memory ; 11. E Pluribus Unum, Ex Uno Plura: Reconciling Single Gene and Multigene Pictures of Behavior ; 12. Methods