You Are Where You Live?
Intelligence is usually thought of as the ability to do well in school, and the first intelligence tests were designed to identify children who were below average in their schoolwork (Santrock , 1998, p144). Today the definition of intelligence is much broader. Intelligence is an umbrella term that is used to describe a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities. This can include the ability to reason, to think abstractly, to problem solve, and to learn to name a few. It can also cover creativity, personality, factual knowledge, or similar abstract concepts (“Intelligence” (Internet)) such as moral development or wordly knowledge like Sternberg’s contextual intelligence (Santrock, 1998, p 148). Psychologists are still debating exactly what intelligence is (“Intelligence” (Internet), Santrock, 1998, p 148 ff) Gardner defines at least eight different intelligences, including kinaesthetic, musical and intrapersonal, where academic ability relates to his mathematical logical and verbal intelligences (Santrock, 1998, p 149). In this view, everyone responds to different information according to how it is presented and their own strong and weak intelligences. Academic performance is limited to a few intelligences and if these are not your strengths then you could have problems learning the information or not reach your full potential of achievement. Other concepts of intelligence include a high speed of information processing or an asynchronous development where certain areas are advanced for the age related average, but other areas may be below this average (Santrock, 1998, p 158).
A definition of the general concept of intelligence is “the ability to apply knowledge in order to perform better in an environment” (“Intelligence” (Internet)). As most societies value high performance, and many value high academic performance, the question of what causes intelligence is an important one. The answer indicates whether there is anything that can be done to improve performance. Any human ability can be thought of as coming from the genetic makeup of a person and/or the environment the person is raised in. This is the nature versus nurture debate. If intelligence was totally genetic, then there would be nothing we could do to increase our performance. This can lead to accepted discrimination amongst students where the less academically gifted are ignored as it would be ‘a waste of time’ to try and help them due to their genetic limitations. If intelligence was totally determined by the environment then, given the right circumstances, everyone should perform brilliantly. There would be no excuse for learning difficulties or poor academic performance, it could all be fixed by adjusting the home and school environments (Santrock, 1998, p150ff).
Like most other complex human traits, intelligence is a mixture of inherited genetic ability and the home and school environment of a child (Santrock, 1998, p151 ff). “Evidence suggests that family environmental factors may have an effect upon childhood IQ, accounting for up to a quarter of the variance.” (“Intelligence” (Internet)) “Today most researchers agree that genetics… determine intelligence…in the 50/50 range - 50 percent genetic makeup, 50 percent environmental factors.” (Santrock, 1998, p151). Determining whether the environment or genetics plays a larger role in a human trait like intelligence is often done using twin studies. By studying identical twins (who have the same DNA) and non-identical twins , reared together (in the same environment) or apart, the differences in the intelligence scores can be compared and analysed to determine if nature or nurture is the major determining factor. Several consistent results from these studies are that:
• Identical twins reared apart are very similar in IQ. Identical twins are far more alike in IQ than fraternal twins.
• A stimulating home environment in the years before school has a positive effect on learning and IQ scores. This had led to programs such as ‘Head Start” in USA where children from disadvantaged families are placed in special child care that provides an enriched environment for them (Santrock, 1998, p151 ff).
Do you believe that intelligence is due to how we are raised, or is it just something that we are born with?
References.
Intelligence (Internet) (2008) Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence (Accessed 21 October, 2008)
Santrock, J.W. (1998) Adolescence (7th ed) New York: McGraw-Hill.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Topic 12: Intelligence 1
Three Clever dux line up for brilliant careeers
Three dux from the one pond, each as gifted as the other. Identical triplets Amy, Kate and Lisa Stevenson have been collectively crowned dux of Wavell High in Brisbane north. But don’t be fooled, each studied different subjects and are crafting their own stories.
First-born Amy wants to be a lawyer, Kate a dipolmat or international aid worker, and Lisa a reasearcher or conservationist. Only 0.25% separated the sisters senior grades – a result authorities rile to close for call. “Being a triplet has defined us and how people see us but we are individuals and like to express that,” said Kate.
The trio, born 2 mins apart in England, came to Brisbane in 1996 with father Tom and mother Jaci. Mrs. Stevenson said a, “positive competition” developed in the sisters. The girls will be crowned at their school on Nov. 29.
Are these tripplets an example of nature of nurture?
From reading this newspaper article do you think intelligence is a set trait or something that is gathered from our environments?
Courrier mail, Weekend Edition, Oct. 18-19, 2008
Three dux from the one pond, each as gifted as the other. Identical triplets Amy, Kate and Lisa Stevenson have been collectively crowned dux of Wavell High in Brisbane north. But don’t be fooled, each studied different subjects and are crafting their own stories.
First-born Amy wants to be a lawyer, Kate a dipolmat or international aid worker, and Lisa a reasearcher or conservationist. Only 0.25% separated the sisters senior grades – a result authorities rile to close for call. “Being a triplet has defined us and how people see us but we are individuals and like to express that,” said Kate.
The trio, born 2 mins apart in England, came to Brisbane in 1996 with father Tom and mother Jaci. Mrs. Stevenson said a, “positive competition” developed in the sisters. The girls will be crowned at their school on Nov. 29.
Are these tripplets an example of nature of nurture?
From reading this newspaper article do you think intelligence is a set trait or something that is gathered from our environments?
Courrier mail, Weekend Edition, Oct. 18-19, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Topic 11: Anorexia
Since the 1970s when anorexia nervosa was first brought to the public eye, most people believed it was a social disease caused by pressure to be thin coupled with depression or anxiety. But genetic research over the past several years shows that genes might play as big a role as the environment in the development of an eating disorder.
Up to 3.7 percent of females suffer from anorexia at some point during their lifetime. It's estimated that up to 1 percent of females in the United States have anorexia, and more than 90 percent of those diagnosed are young. Anorexia's fatality rate can reach 15 percent, the highest of any psychological disorder.
The researchers say that while more work must be done, there's enough evidence at this point to prove some genetic basis exists for developing an eating disorder, even if they aren't sure exactly which genes are responsible. Even more likely, a combination of these genetic traits and environmental factors might cause a propensity for an eating disorder.
The researchers examined sequences of genes in patients( suffering from anorexia), patients' family members who also had eating disorders and a control group of family members who did not have eating disorders, looking for small differences between the genes in each group. The researchers looked at 192 patients who had at least one other member of their family who also had an eating disorder. Differences in two out of the three genes among the groups indicated a significant familial link to anorexia.
Researchers suspect that genes associated with anorexia also might be connected to obsessive behavior and perfectionism.
"I think (families) would feel less guilty, and they would not blame themselves," Athas said. "It would change the whole dynamic of eating disorders and its causes and evolution within a family."
Could Anorexia and other eating disorders be linked to genes?
Does the media have any impact on those likely to suffer from anorexia?
Information from: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2003/05/58818
Up to 3.7 percent of females suffer from anorexia at some point during their lifetime. It's estimated that up to 1 percent of females in the United States have anorexia, and more than 90 percent of those diagnosed are young. Anorexia's fatality rate can reach 15 percent, the highest of any psychological disorder.
The researchers say that while more work must be done, there's enough evidence at this point to prove some genetic basis exists for developing an eating disorder, even if they aren't sure exactly which genes are responsible. Even more likely, a combination of these genetic traits and environmental factors might cause a propensity for an eating disorder.
The researchers examined sequences of genes in patients( suffering from anorexia), patients' family members who also had eating disorders and a control group of family members who did not have eating disorders, looking for small differences between the genes in each group. The researchers looked at 192 patients who had at least one other member of their family who also had an eating disorder. Differences in two out of the three genes among the groups indicated a significant familial link to anorexia.
Researchers suspect that genes associated with anorexia also might be connected to obsessive behavior and perfectionism.
"I think (families) would feel less guilty, and they would not blame themselves," Athas said. "It would change the whole dynamic of eating disorders and its causes and evolution within a family."
Could Anorexia and other eating disorders be linked to genes?
Does the media have any impact on those likely to suffer from anorexia?
Information from: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2003/05/58818
Topic 10: Drug Addiction
DRUG ADDICTION
Bauman, P. (1996) The Development of Children of Drug Addicts. (internet) Available from: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a785622378~db=all (date accessed: 27th October 2008)
Case Study:
A study compared 70 methadone-maintained mothers (MM) and their 70 preschool-age children to a matched control group of 70 non-drug-addicted mothers (NDA) and their 70 preschool-age children on mothers' personalities, intelligence levels, and parenting attitudes and behavior; and on children's behavior and intelligence and developmental levels. Findings showed that in comparison to the control group, MM mothers performed less adaptively on measures of intelligence, personality, and parenting behavior. Their scores on the parenting attitude measures reflected authoritarian childrearing beliefs. Children of MM mothers performed more poorly than children of NDA mothers on measures of intelligence and socially adaptive behavior. In a comparison of children of MM mothers who experienced withdrawal from drugs at birth to children of MM mothers who were not born addicted to drugs, results revealed a tendency for withdrawal children to have developmental delays, lower IQ scores, and lower heights and weights.
News article
Mail Online (29th October 2008)
Available from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-564097/Babies-born-drug-addict-mothers-DOUBLED-years.html
Babies born to drug addict mothers have almost DOUBLED in last five years
The number of babies born to drug addicted mothers has almost doubled in the last five years, it has been revealed.
Last year there were 1,970 women who were addicted to drugs at the time of the birth, compared to 1,057 back in 2003.
Of those 1,970 women with a drug dependency, 1,211 babies were born with their mother's addiction as the habit was passed on whilst the baby was still in the womb.
It means that every day five drug addict mums give birth to a baby and of those births three babies will suffer the withdrawal symptoms of their mother's addiction.
The symptoms associated with babies who are addicted to drugs are a loud, high-pitched crying, sweating and stomach upsets.
These babies often need specialised care in hospital before they are allowed home and on occasions are taken from their mothers and placed in care.
Using the studies above, consider the following questions;
• What is the difference between the two examples? What side of the debate are they leaning towards?
• Why do the results show that drug users children are disadvantaged than that of non-drug-addicted mothers?
Bauman, P. (1996) The Development of Children of Drug Addicts. (internet) Available from: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a785622378~db=all (date accessed: 27th October 2008)
Case Study:
A study compared 70 methadone-maintained mothers (MM) and their 70 preschool-age children to a matched control group of 70 non-drug-addicted mothers (NDA) and their 70 preschool-age children on mothers' personalities, intelligence levels, and parenting attitudes and behavior; and on children's behavior and intelligence and developmental levels. Findings showed that in comparison to the control group, MM mothers performed less adaptively on measures of intelligence, personality, and parenting behavior. Their scores on the parenting attitude measures reflected authoritarian childrearing beliefs. Children of MM mothers performed more poorly than children of NDA mothers on measures of intelligence and socially adaptive behavior. In a comparison of children of MM mothers who experienced withdrawal from drugs at birth to children of MM mothers who were not born addicted to drugs, results revealed a tendency for withdrawal children to have developmental delays, lower IQ scores, and lower heights and weights.
News article
Mail Online (29th October 2008)
Available from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-564097/Babies-born-drug-addict-mothers-DOUBLED-years.html
Babies born to drug addict mothers have almost DOUBLED in last five years
The number of babies born to drug addicted mothers has almost doubled in the last five years, it has been revealed.
Last year there were 1,970 women who were addicted to drugs at the time of the birth, compared to 1,057 back in 2003.
Of those 1,970 women with a drug dependency, 1,211 babies were born with their mother's addiction as the habit was passed on whilst the baby was still in the womb.
It means that every day five drug addict mums give birth to a baby and of those births three babies will suffer the withdrawal symptoms of their mother's addiction.
The symptoms associated with babies who are addicted to drugs are a loud, high-pitched crying, sweating and stomach upsets.
These babies often need specialised care in hospital before they are allowed home and on occasions are taken from their mothers and placed in care.
Using the studies above, consider the following questions;
• What is the difference between the two examples? What side of the debate are they leaning towards?
• Why do the results show that drug users children are disadvantaged than that of non-drug-addicted mothers?
Topic 9: Same Sex Parents
CASE STUDY 1
Terrance McGeorge is a homosexual. Terrance McGeorge was raised in a family with a gay parent. His father came out that he was Gay when he was six years old and left Terrance’s mother shortly afterwards. Terrance never felt that he wasn’t loved. He says his father had nothing to do with his homosexuality except possibly providing the DNA. Terrance states; "I've always known I was that way, since I was 3- or 4 years old, when I started getting crushes on other boys. My father didn't come out until I was 6," he said.
CASE STUDY 2
Rebecca Meiksin is a 22 year old heterosexual. Rebecca was adopted by gay parents in the 1980’s as the gay pride movement took off. When asked if her lesbian mother told her to follow in her footsteps, she stated; "I never felt any pressure to be gay."
FACTS:
• Most lesbians and gay men have heterosexual parents; the sexual orientation of a parent does not cause the sexual orientation of a child.
• It is increasingly understood that a range of factors determine an individual's sexuality, including genetic factors.
• A major study has shown that growing up with same-sex parents can actually help to confirm heterosexual identity.
QUESTIONS:
Do you think having the same sex parents affects the child’s sexuality?
Is Case Study One an example of Nature or Nurture?Why?
Does Case Study Two define Nature as its biggest aspect? Why?
Websites:
http://www.equalityarizona.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tWwVXesydHU%3D&tabid=138&mid=510
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=296&id=2038
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07161/793042-51.stm
Terrance McGeorge is a homosexual. Terrance McGeorge was raised in a family with a gay parent. His father came out that he was Gay when he was six years old and left Terrance’s mother shortly afterwards. Terrance never felt that he wasn’t loved. He says his father had nothing to do with his homosexuality except possibly providing the DNA. Terrance states; "I've always known I was that way, since I was 3- or 4 years old, when I started getting crushes on other boys. My father didn't come out until I was 6," he said.
CASE STUDY 2
Rebecca Meiksin is a 22 year old heterosexual. Rebecca was adopted by gay parents in the 1980’s as the gay pride movement took off. When asked if her lesbian mother told her to follow in her footsteps, she stated; "I never felt any pressure to be gay."
FACTS:
• Most lesbians and gay men have heterosexual parents; the sexual orientation of a parent does not cause the sexual orientation of a child.
• It is increasingly understood that a range of factors determine an individual's sexuality, including genetic factors.
• A major study has shown that growing up with same-sex parents can actually help to confirm heterosexual identity.
QUESTIONS:
Do you think having the same sex parents affects the child’s sexuality?
Is Case Study One an example of Nature or Nurture?Why?
Does Case Study Two define Nature as its biggest aspect? Why?
Websites:
http://www.equalityarizona.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tWwVXesydHU%3D&tabid=138&mid=510
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=240&np=296&id=2038
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07161/793042-51.stm
Topic 8: Sexuality
While the cause of female sexual orientation is still particularly unclear, there is more evidence to suggest that male sexual orientation is more due to birth conditions and genetics than to one’s upbringing or environment.
In 1991, neuroscientist Simon LeVay found a tiny clump of neurons in the anterior of the hypothalamus which was double the size in homosexual men.
Richard Pillard and J Michael Bailey’s male identical twin studies found that if one twin was gay, the other had a 50% chance of being gay.
75% of children who show CGN, or Childhood Gender Nonconformity, in which children display several characteristics of the other gender or find themselves able to identify with the other gender at a young age become homosexually orientated when they mature into adolescence.
- There are case studies where there are two identical male twins of whom one twin is very masculine and the other is very feminine
Family Research Council, a Christian Organisation in Washington, D.C., argues in its book Getting It Straight that finding people are born gay "would advance the idea that sexual orientation is an innate characteristic, like race; that homosexuals, like African-Americans, should be legally protected against 'discrimination;' and that disapproval of homosexuality should be as socially stigmatized as racism. However, it is not true."
Martin Duberman says that if sexual inclinations are genetically determined it is unreasonable to punish homosexual behaviour as crime or stigmatise as sin, however might prompt genetic tampering or abortions if foetus is discovered to have “deviant gene”.
- What are the other possible causes of sexual orientations? I.e. If twins are born genetically identical, and are brought up in the same circumstances, why do their sexualities vary?
- What are your thoughts on the matter?
“On Gay Nuture vs Nurture” – New York Times http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9802E2DC1F3EF937A15755C0A961958260
By Neil Swidey, Published August 14th 2005, “What Makes People Gay?”, in the Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/
In 1991, neuroscientist Simon LeVay found a tiny clump of neurons in the anterior of the hypothalamus which was double the size in homosexual men.
Richard Pillard and J Michael Bailey’s male identical twin studies found that if one twin was gay, the other had a 50% chance of being gay.
75% of children who show CGN, or Childhood Gender Nonconformity, in which children display several characteristics of the other gender or find themselves able to identify with the other gender at a young age become homosexually orientated when they mature into adolescence.
- There are case studies where there are two identical male twins of whom one twin is very masculine and the other is very feminine
Family Research Council, a Christian Organisation in Washington, D.C., argues in its book Getting It Straight that finding people are born gay "would advance the idea that sexual orientation is an innate characteristic, like race; that homosexuals, like African-Americans, should be legally protected against 'discrimination;' and that disapproval of homosexuality should be as socially stigmatized as racism. However, it is not true."
Martin Duberman says that if sexual inclinations are genetically determined it is unreasonable to punish homosexual behaviour as crime or stigmatise as sin, however might prompt genetic tampering or abortions if foetus is discovered to have “deviant gene”.
- What are the other possible causes of sexual orientations? I.e. If twins are born genetically identical, and are brought up in the same circumstances, why do their sexualities vary?
- What are your thoughts on the matter?
“On Gay Nuture vs Nurture” – New York Times http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9802E2DC1F3EF937A15755C0A961958260
By Neil Swidey, Published August 14th 2005, “What Makes People Gay?”, in the Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Topic 8: Schizophrenia 2
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a condition characterised by disturbances in a person's thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour. It affects approximately one in every 100 people worldwide and first onset commonly occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. Schizophrenia is not a single illness. It is in fact a cluster of illnesses, which have overlapping signs and symptoms. It is therefore important to acknowledge the unique experience of each person living with schizophrenia.
"For me, schizophrenia severely ruptured the relationship I had enjoyed with myself prior to the illness. My sense of being in the world, my thought processes and indeed the very way my senses perceived the world go through involuntary changes. I was plunged at times into a confusing and frightening world ruled by my own paranoias and delusions...Prior to developing schizophrenia the workings of my mind had been unquestioned. Suddenly I was being told by a psychiatrist that I could not always trust my own thoughts and senses. I felt that my own mind had betrayed me. How could I ever trust it? Self had become a traitor and was working against my own good" (Simon, a person who has experienced schizophrenia).
The causes of mental illness are linked to several factors which can be summarised into three main groups:
• Biological factors which arise from physiology, biochemistry, genetic make-up and physical constitution
• Psychological factors including the person's upbringing, emotional experiences and interactions with people
• Social factors that are associated with the person's present life situation and sociocultural influences
Schizophrenia Fellowship Learning About Schizophrenia (Internet) Available from: http://www.sfnsw.org.au/schizophrenia/causes.htm (Accessed: 30/10/08)
Knowing that there are many causes of schizophrenia, do you believe that most cases would be caused by nature or nurture?
Schizophrenia is a condition characterised by disturbances in a person's thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour. It affects approximately one in every 100 people worldwide and first onset commonly occurs in adolescence or early adulthood. Schizophrenia is not a single illness. It is in fact a cluster of illnesses, which have overlapping signs and symptoms. It is therefore important to acknowledge the unique experience of each person living with schizophrenia.
"For me, schizophrenia severely ruptured the relationship I had enjoyed with myself prior to the illness. My sense of being in the world, my thought processes and indeed the very way my senses perceived the world go through involuntary changes. I was plunged at times into a confusing and frightening world ruled by my own paranoias and delusions...Prior to developing schizophrenia the workings of my mind had been unquestioned. Suddenly I was being told by a psychiatrist that I could not always trust my own thoughts and senses. I felt that my own mind had betrayed me. How could I ever trust it? Self had become a traitor and was working against my own good" (Simon, a person who has experienced schizophrenia).
The causes of mental illness are linked to several factors which can be summarised into three main groups:
• Biological factors which arise from physiology, biochemistry, genetic make-up and physical constitution
• Psychological factors including the person's upbringing, emotional experiences and interactions with people
• Social factors that are associated with the person's present life situation and sociocultural influences
Schizophrenia Fellowship Learning About Schizophrenia (Internet) Available from: http://www.sfnsw.org.au/schizophrenia/causes.htm (Accessed: 30/10/08)
Knowing that there are many causes of schizophrenia, do you believe that most cases would be caused by nature or nurture?
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