Alabama Social Studies SS24.P.4

Social StudiesGrades 9–12Biological Basis of Psychology

The Standard

Compare the effects of heredity and environment on development and behavior.*

2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how inherited traits and life experiences can affect growth and behavior. They use examples to show how both can shape the same outcome.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a short case, students identify a possible inherited influence and an environmental influence. They explain why neither one guarantees a particular outcome.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think a family history of anxiety means someone will develop anxiety. They may also assume siblings will behave alike because they share a home, or overlook influences outside the home.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A teen has a family history of anxiety and sleeps poorly during exams. Name one possible inherited influence and one environmental influence on the teen’s behavior, then explain why the outcome is not certain.

Lesson moves

Give pairs cards labeled inherited color blindness, lost sleep before an exam, and family history of anxiety plus chronic stress; have them sort and explain each card.
Ask: Identical twins react differently to public speaking. What experiences might explain the difference, and what can’t you conclude?
Read four short teen behavior cases; students hold up G, E, or Both cards and point to a clue for each choice.
Show a height chart and two sample lunch menus; ask how inherited growth patterns and nutrition might each affect growth.

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