Chapter 2 PSYC 326: Developmental Psychology: Biological Influences

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Questions and Answers

What is the name of the model that proposes that children must have a genetic risk and environmental stressor to develop a disorder?

Epigenetic model

Experience-dependent model

Gene-environment correlation model

Diathesis-stress model (correct)

What is the term for the process by which genes are turned on or off by experience?

Neural plasticity

Gene expression

Synaptogenesis

Epigenetic structure (correct)

What is the term for the rapid growth of neurons followed by periods of neuronal pruning?

Neuronal maturation

Neural development

Brain development

Braid development (correct)

What is the term for the process by which neurons communicate with each other?

Neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the influence of genetics on the development of psychological disorders?

Heritability Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of how genetics contribute to the development of psychological disorders?

Behavioral genetics Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which experience affects the development of the brain?

Neural plasticity Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of how the brain develops and changes over time?

Neural development Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of histones in genes?

To switch genes on or off Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, while meiosis occurs in gametes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of twin studies in behavioral genetics?

To investigate the relationship between genes and environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the relationship between specific genes and attributes or behaviors?

Molecular genetics Signup and view all the answers

What is the Diathesis-Stress model?

A model that explains how genetic and environmental factors interact to influence behavior Signup and view all the answers

How many neurons are estimated to be in the human brain?

100 billion Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the chemical messengers used by neurons to communicate?

Neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

Which brain region is responsible for emotion and motivation?

Limbic system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of exposure therapy in the context of classical conditioning?

To eliminate a conditioned response by repeatedly exposing the individual to the conditioned stimulus Signup and view all the answers

In operant conditioning, what is the consequence of punishment?

A decrease in the undesired behavior Signup and view all the answers

According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, what is the stage during which children develop the ability to think logically and abstractly?

Formal operations stage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of schemas in social cognition?

To process and interpret social information Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between effortful and reactive processes in emotional development?

Effortful processes involve emotional regulation, while reactive processes involve emotional expression Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the unlearned, natural response to an unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning?

Unconditioned response Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of classical conditioning?

An association of two stimuli together Signup and view all the answers

According to Piaget, what is the primary outcome of the four stages of cognitive development?

Increased capacity for thinking, problem-solving, and language Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of operant conditioning?

An association between behavior and consequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of secure attachment on social-emotional competence?

It enhances social-emotional competence and peer acceptance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the relationship between a child's temperament and the demands of their environment?

Goodness-of-fit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary influence of peers on social-emotional development?

Development of social skills to form intimate relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relation between proximal and distal risk factors?

Proximal risk factors have a direct impact, while distal risk factors have an indirect impact. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of parent-child attachment?

To create an emotional bond between caregiver and child Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the risk factor that is close to the individual, such as their family or community?

Proximal risk Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the goodness of fit between temperament and caregiving environment?

It influences social-emotional competence and peer acceptance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of difficulties with emotional expression and regulation?

Development of disorders like autism and mood disorders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of early emotional development?

Development of emotional expression and understanding of emotion Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ability to think about social information and resolve social conflicts?

Social cognition Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of behavioral, cognitive, and social-emotional competence in peer acceptance?

They are crucial for peer acceptance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Influences on Development

Genes: organized segments of DNA that influence behavior and physical attributes
Chromosomes: strands of genes that undergo mitosis and meiosis
Alleles: variations in genes that can affect behavior and attributes
Behavioral Genetics:
- Studies the relationship between genes and behavior
- Uses family, twin, and adoption studies to identify genetic and environmental influences
Molecular Genetics:
- Links alleles with attributes and behaviors
- Uses linkage and association studies to identify genes implicated in disorders

Brain Development

The brain consists of 100 billion neurons that communicate using chemical messengers (neurotransmitters)
Brain development:
- Organized from the bottom up (brain stem, cerebellum, basal ganglia, limbic system)
- Higher-order regions may not mature until adulthood
- Experience can affect the brain through gene-driven, experience-expectant, and experience-dependent processes

Diathesis-Stress Model and Epigenetics

Diathesis-Stress Model: proposes that children must have a genetic risk and environmental stressor to develop a disorder
Gene-Environment Correlation Model: assumes that genes and environment are related
Epigenetics: alters gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, influenced by experience

Psychological Influences on Development

Learning Theories:
- Classical Conditioning: associates unconditioned stimulus with conditioned stimulus
- Operant Conditioning: associates behavior with consequences (reinforcement, punishment)
- Social Learning: learns from observing others
Cognitive Development:
- Four stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operations, and formal operations
Social Cognition:
- Capacity to think about social situations
- Schemas: central to social cognition, underlying social disorders
Emotional Development:
- Refinement of child's emotional experience
- Emotion regulation: effortful and reactive processes
- Causes of internalizing and externalizing disorders

Parental Influences:
- Temperament: actions and emotions in response to environmental stimuli
- Goodness-of-Fit: relation between temperament and demands
- Attachment: emotional bond between caregiver and child
Peer Influences:
- Importance of friendship to social-emotional development
- Interpersonal Theory: stages of interpersonal development, peer acceptance and rejection
Other Social-Cultural Factors:
- Proximal and Distal Risk: proximal risk factors, distal risk factors, and their influence on development

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Description

Learn about the role of genes and environment in development, and how the brain changes across different stages of life. Explore the basics of genes, chromosomes, and histones in this developmental psychology quiz.