Glossary / Lexicon

Homozygous means having two (2) identical genes for a given characteristic; when the alleles in a pair of chromosomes are the same or having two (2) identical alleles

In the context of psychology, "homozygous" refers to a genetic condition where an individual has inherited two identical copies of a gene from their parents, one from each parent. Homozygous individuals have the same version of a gene on both chromosomes, whereas heterozygous individuals have different versions of the same gene on their chromosomes.

Here are some examples of homozygosity in psychology:

1. Inherited disorders: Homozygosity for certain genetic mutations can lead to inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, or Huntington's disease.

2. Personality traits: Some research suggests that certain personality traits, such as risk-taking behavior or sensation-seeking, may be influenced by specific genetic variations that are homozygous in some individuals.

3. Response to medication: Homozygosity for certain genes can affect how an individual responds to medication. For example, some people who are homozygous for a specific gene may be less responsive to certain antidepressant medications.

4. Intelligence: Although intelligence is a complex trait that is influenced by many factors, including genetics and environment, some studies have suggested that certain genetic variations may be more common in individuals with high intelligence, and that some of these variations may be homozygous in some individuals.

5. Behavioral disorders: Homozygosity for certain genes has been associated with an increased risk of developing behavioral disorders such as autism or schizophrenia.

Overall, homozygosity is an important genetic concept that has implications for many areas of psychology, including the study of personality, behavior, and mental health.