91Ó°ÊÓ

In earlier studies, scientists reported finding a "commitment gene" in men, in which men with a certain gene variant were much less likely to commit to a monogamous relationship. \(^{62}\) That study involved only men (and we return to it later in this text), but a new study, involving birds this time rather than humans, shows that female infidelity may be inherited. \(^{63}\) Scientists recorded who mated with or rebuffed whom for five generations of captive zebra finches, for a total of 800 males and 754 females. Zebra finches are believed to be a monogamous species, but the study found that mothers who cheat with multiple partners often had daughters who also cheat with multiple partners. To identify whether the effect was genetic or environmental, the scientists switched many of the chicks from their original nests. More cheating by the biological mother was strongly associated with more cheating by the daughter. Is this a positive or negative association?

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Observations

Reading the exercise thoroughly to understand the observation made by the scientists. They observed the mating behavior over five generations of captive zebra finches where the behaviour of mothers who cheated often was correlated with the behaviour of their daughters. Because of environmental controls (chicks were moved from their original nests), the study aimed to separate genetic effects from environmental ones.

02

Analyze the findings

The scientists found that more cheating by the biological mother was strongly associated with more cheating by the daughter. This implies that as one variable (the mother's tendency to cheat) increases, so does the other (the daughter's tendency to cheat).

03

Determining the type of Association

An association where an increase in one variable corresponds to an increase in another is known as a positive association. Therefore, the relationship between the cheating behavior of the mother and the daughter in this case would be a positive association.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Genetic Influence

In the realm of genetics, the influence genes have on behavior is both captivating and complex. The original exercise touches on a study involving zebra finches, where scientists investigated the inheritance of infidelity through generations. This study highlights genetic influence by exploring how behavioral traits, such as mating habits, can be passed down from parents to offspring.

• Genes carry information that can shape both physical and behavioral characteristics.
• Behavioral genetics aims to understand how genes and environment contribute to different behaviors.
• In the case of zebra finches, the study implies a genetic contribution to the behavior of infidelity.

It’s essential to consider the intricate way genes can mold conduct, keeping in mind that they are just one part of a bigger picture involving environmental factors too. The intricate relationship between genes and behavior is a key area of study in understanding how certain traits are inherited and exhibited across generations.

Mating Behavior

Mating behavior is crucial in understanding the social dynamics of a species, such as zebra finches in the study, which are typically monogamous. However, the observation of infidelity in female finches adds an interesting twist to their mating habits.

• Mating behavior refers to the set of behaviors involved in attracting and selecting a partner for reproduction.
• In the study, researchers observed that females with mothers who strayed from monogamy tend to exhibit similar behavior.
• This behavior can affect mating strategies, alliances, and offspring survival.

Understanding these behaviors helps in identifying the evolutionary advantages and disadvantages of such practices and how they influence social structures. By observing these patterns, scientists can also make predictions about the genetic and environmental contributions to these behaviors.

Environmental Controls

Environmental controls play a significant role in studies that try to distinguish genetic effects from environmental influences. The zebra finches study implemented environmental controls by switching chicks from their original nests to observe if behaviors were a result of upbringing or genetic ties.

• Environmental controls are interventions used to limit the influence of environmental factors on a study's outcome.
• This process helps in isolating genetic factors by creating a controlled environment that minimizes variability due to upbringing or surroundings.
• In the study, chicks who exhibited infidelity similar to their biological mothers suggest that these behaviors are genetically influenced rather than environmentally conditioned.

By using these controls effectively, researchers can better understand the true nature of genetic influence and how much the upbringing environment contributes to the development of certain behaviors.