Final answer:
Behavioral genetics is the study of how heredity affects behavior and is informed by the foundational work of Johann Gregor Mendel in classical genetics. It considers how multiple genes and environmental factors contribute to traits and behaviors, with sociobiology discussing genetic influence on behavior amid controversy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of the effects of heredity on how people conduct themselves is known as behavioral genetics. This field explores the interplay between genes and the environment in shaping behavior, thoughts, and reactions. Johann Gregor Mendel laid the foundation for the field of genetics through his methodical and quantitative analyses on inheritance, establishing classical, or Mendelian, genetics. Moreover, sociobiology and the related concept of biological determinism delve into the controversial idea that behaviors are codified in our genes, influenced by natural selection.
Behavioral genetics looks beyond simple inheritance patterns to consider multifaceted interactions, especially in cases where diseases or behaviors do not follow a single-gene inheritance pattern but rather, involve multiple genes and environmental factors. It recognizes that while there may be a genetic predisposition for certain traits or disorders, the actual expression of these traits in an individual, also known as their phenotype, may be influenced by the environment. Nonetheless, genetic testing in certain cases of single-gene disorders can help predict the likelihood of a child inheriting specific diseases from their parents.