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?
Topic 8: Schizophrenia 1
"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).
Possible causes of 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
No single cause of schizophrenia has been identified to date; there are most likely to be several contributing factors. It is probable that there is an interaction between the consumer's biological vulnerability, stress or change in the environment and the consumer's ability to deal with these environmental factors in terms of their social skills and supports. If the environment is sufficiently stressful, even people with a high personal threshold for stress will develop some indicators of mental illness, including schizophrenia. Conversely, a less stressful environment may decrease the risk of onset in a person with a predisposition to schizophrenia.
We know that schizophrenia is NOT caused by:
• Domineering mothers or passive fathers
• Poverty
• Weakness of character or personality
• Bad parenting
• Sinful behaviour
Possible Contributing Factors:
• Genetics
• Environment
• Neurodevelopmental Factors
• Drug Misuse
• Biochemical Factors
1.) If the person did not suffer from stress and depression throughout their lives would they still have developed Schizophrenia?
2.) If a person had been treated for schizophrenia, would it be possible for them to be the same before; both physically and mentally?
3.) If the adopted parents of a child had schizophrenia, would this person eventually develop schizophrenia?
Bibliography:
http://www.sfnsw.org.au/questions/quest_hme.htm
Possible causes of 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
No single cause of schizophrenia has been identified to date; there are most likely to be several contributing factors. It is probable that there is an interaction between the consumer's biological vulnerability, stress or change in the environment and the consumer's ability to deal with these environmental factors in terms of their social skills and supports. If the environment is sufficiently stressful, even people with a high personal threshold for stress will develop some indicators of mental illness, including schizophrenia. Conversely, a less stressful environment may decrease the risk of onset in a person with a predisposition to schizophrenia.
We know that schizophrenia is NOT caused by:
• Domineering mothers or passive fathers
• Poverty
• Weakness of character or personality
• Bad parenting
• Sinful behaviour
Possible Contributing Factors:
• Genetics
• Environment
• Neurodevelopmental Factors
• Drug Misuse
• Biochemical Factors
1.) If the person did not suffer from stress and depression throughout their lives would they still have developed Schizophrenia?
2.) If a person had been treated for schizophrenia, would it be possible for them to be the same before; both physically and mentally?
3.) If the adopted parents of a child had schizophrenia, would this person eventually develop schizophrenia?
Bibliography:
http://www.sfnsw.org.au/questions/quest_hme.htm
Monday, November 24, 2008
Topic 7: Violence and Aggression
Violence and Aggression
Ted Bundy, a psychopathic serial killer whose twisted mind and odd charm helped him get what he achieved – fear. True crime writer Ann Rule, who knew Bundy personally, states that it was around 1969, shortly following a traumatic breakup with his college girlfriend that Bundy started killing, an argument for nurture it seems – or is it? Studies of Bundy’s and like psychopath’s brains have been identified to work differently from the average person.
The psychopath is defined by a psychological gratification in criminal, sexual, or aggressive impulses and the inability to learn from past mistakes. Individuals with this disorder gain satisfaction through their antisocial behavior as well as lacking a conscience (morals and remorse). While Bundy grew up, he was always violent; speculators agree this was a consequence of his psychopathic nature, not the way he grew up.
It is common to stress that not all psychopaths in childhood grow up to be psychopaths, this can be compared to Asperger’s Syndrome, or some cases of full blown autism in which through development of the brain, the insufficiency is further developed, to result in a quote unquote “normal” individual.
1- Are Ted Bundy’s crimes because of his psychopathic nature, or were his life experiences the ‘triggered’ for the crimes?
2- Just because some people are able to work through psychopathy and other disorders of the brain, does this mean that psychopathy is NOT an illness that is a result of nature?
3- In your opinion, can a psychopath be ‘bred’?
Used references from wikipage as follows :
• Unknown Author (2008) Ted Bundy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_bundy
• Kendall, Elizabeth. The Phantom Prince: My Life With Ted Bundy. Madrona Pub; 1st edition September 1981; Hardcover, 183 pages; ISBN 0914842706
• Keppel, Robert. The Riverman: Ted Bundy and I Hunt for the Green River Killer. Pocket Books, 2005, paperback, 597 pages, ISBN 0743463951. Updated after the arrest and confession of the Green River killer, Gary Ridgway.
• Larsen, Richard W. Bundy: The Deliberate Stranger. 1980, hardcover, ISBN 0-13-089185-1.
• Michaud, Stephen, and Hugh Aynesworth. The Only Living Witness. Authorlink 1999, paperback. ISBN 1-928704-11-5.
• Michaud, Stephen, and Hugh Aynesworth. Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer. Transcripts of the authors' 1980 Death Row interviews with Bundy. Authorlink, 2000. ISBN 1-928704-17-4.
• Nelson, Polly. Defending the Devil: My Story as Ted Bundy's Last Lawyer. William Morrow, 1994, 329 pages. ISBN 0-688-10823-7.
• Rule, Ann. The Stranger Beside Me. Signet, 2000, paperback. 548 pages. ISBN 0-451-20326-7. Updated 20th anniversary edition.
Ted Bundy, a psychopathic serial killer whose twisted mind and odd charm helped him get what he achieved – fear. True crime writer Ann Rule, who knew Bundy personally, states that it was around 1969, shortly following a traumatic breakup with his college girlfriend that Bundy started killing, an argument for nurture it seems – or is it? Studies of Bundy’s and like psychopath’s brains have been identified to work differently from the average person.
The psychopath is defined by a psychological gratification in criminal, sexual, or aggressive impulses and the inability to learn from past mistakes. Individuals with this disorder gain satisfaction through their antisocial behavior as well as lacking a conscience (morals and remorse). While Bundy grew up, he was always violent; speculators agree this was a consequence of his psychopathic nature, not the way he grew up.
It is common to stress that not all psychopaths in childhood grow up to be psychopaths, this can be compared to Asperger’s Syndrome, or some cases of full blown autism in which through development of the brain, the insufficiency is further developed, to result in a quote unquote “normal” individual.
1- Are Ted Bundy’s crimes because of his psychopathic nature, or were his life experiences the ‘triggered’ for the crimes?
2- Just because some people are able to work through psychopathy and other disorders of the brain, does this mean that psychopathy is NOT an illness that is a result of nature?
3- In your opinion, can a psychopath be ‘bred’?
Used references from wikipage as follows :
• Unknown Author (2008) Ted Bundy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_bundy
• Kendall, Elizabeth. The Phantom Prince: My Life With Ted Bundy. Madrona Pub; 1st edition September 1981; Hardcover, 183 pages; ISBN 0914842706
• Keppel, Robert. The Riverman: Ted Bundy and I Hunt for the Green River Killer. Pocket Books, 2005, paperback, 597 pages, ISBN 0743463951. Updated after the arrest and confession of the Green River killer, Gary Ridgway.
• Larsen, Richard W. Bundy: The Deliberate Stranger. 1980, hardcover, ISBN 0-13-089185-1.
• Michaud, Stephen, and Hugh Aynesworth. The Only Living Witness. Authorlink 1999, paperback. ISBN 1-928704-11-5.
• Michaud, Stephen, and Hugh Aynesworth. Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer. Transcripts of the authors' 1980 Death Row interviews with Bundy. Authorlink, 2000. ISBN 1-928704-17-4.
• Nelson, Polly. Defending the Devil: My Story as Ted Bundy's Last Lawyer. William Morrow, 1994, 329 pages. ISBN 0-688-10823-7.
• Rule, Ann. The Stranger Beside Me. Signet, 2000, paperback. 548 pages. ISBN 0-451-20326-7. Updated 20th anniversary edition.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Topic 6: Multiple Personality Disorder
Multiple Personality Disorder / Dissociative Identity Disorder
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a re-occurring emotional illness, in which a person contains two or more personalities. Each personality has its own view, emotions and understanding of the world. An MPD patient is controlled by different individuals at different times.
Although true causes are unknown, most Multiple Personality Disorder patients suffered some emotional trauma in their childhood. Advameg (2008) states that “many times when a young child is severely abused, he or she becomes so detached from reality that what is happening may seem more like a movie or television show than real life.”
Case Study (Gupta and Kumar, 2005)
In Gupta and Kumar (2005) case study from North India, a 14 year old girl was found suffering from having two personalities. From time to time she would become male like and call herself as Mr. S, she was not able to recognise her neighbours, relatives, teachers and she was not able to recount her personal memories as well.
Investigation showed her child life had no trauma and it was uneventful. However 2 years before she begun to have the symptoms of MPD her father and sister left her; since, there was no communication. The girl was very close to her sister and was described as she could not imagine living a day without her. After separation she was found occupied with sadness, worry, lost of interest and reduce of energy. Over the last one year, she had many occasions of “fainting, episodes with twisting of both extremities with no loss of consciousness, major injury, and tongue bites” However over time her illness had developed into the official Multiple Personality Disorder, Mr. S.
Even though MPD is caused by childhood trauma, would every person who has childhood trauma develop MPD?
Are there Natural factors involved?
Bibliography
Advameg Inc. (2008) Multiple personality disorder (Internet) Available from: http://www.scienceclarified.com/Ma-Mu/Multiple-Personality-Disorder.html (accessed date: 21.10)
Gupta and Kumar (2005) Multiple Personality Disorder -A Case Report From Northern India (Internet) Available from: http://www.gjpsy.uni-goettingen.de/gjp-article-gupta-a-multiple.pdf (accessed dates: 21.10, 23.10)
Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) is a re-occurring emotional illness, in which a person contains two or more personalities. Each personality has its own view, emotions and understanding of the world. An MPD patient is controlled by different individuals at different times.
Although true causes are unknown, most Multiple Personality Disorder patients suffered some emotional trauma in their childhood. Advameg (2008) states that “many times when a young child is severely abused, he or she becomes so detached from reality that what is happening may seem more like a movie or television show than real life.”
Case Study (Gupta and Kumar, 2005)
In Gupta and Kumar (2005) case study from North India, a 14 year old girl was found suffering from having two personalities. From time to time she would become male like and call herself as Mr. S, she was not able to recognise her neighbours, relatives, teachers and she was not able to recount her personal memories as well.
Investigation showed her child life had no trauma and it was uneventful. However 2 years before she begun to have the symptoms of MPD her father and sister left her; since, there was no communication. The girl was very close to her sister and was described as she could not imagine living a day without her. After separation she was found occupied with sadness, worry, lost of interest and reduce of energy. Over the last one year, she had many occasions of “fainting, episodes with twisting of both extremities with no loss of consciousness, major injury, and tongue bites” However over time her illness had developed into the official Multiple Personality Disorder, Mr. S.
Even though MPD is caused by childhood trauma, would every person who has childhood trauma develop MPD?
Are there Natural factors involved?
Bibliography
Advameg Inc. (2008) Multiple personality disorder (Internet) Available from: http://www.scienceclarified.com/Ma-Mu/Multiple-Personality-Disorder.html (accessed date: 21.10)
Gupta and Kumar (2005) Multiple Personality Disorder -A Case Report From Northern India (Internet) Available from: http://www.gjpsy.uni-goettingen.de/gjp-article-gupta-a-multiple.pdf (accessed dates: 21.10, 23.10)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Topic 5: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Behavior)
“OCD is a disorder that affects 1 in every 50 men and twice as many as that suffer from OCD in some point in their lives”. This blog on OCD is aiming to give others a brief introduction in OCD, its symptoms, its effects and some methods of combating OCD
SO WHAT IS OCD???
When a person has many doubts or worries in real life that become excessive. These worries are elevated to an extreme level where rituals are performed to take these feelings away. When a brain has a particular thought of process; a person can’t get rid of and can’t take the thought away.
It must be understood that it is not the person’s faults due to weak personality.
The complete reason for OCD is not fully understood; however research has looked into the issue of OCD and suggest there is a problem between the communication between the Orbital Cortex and the Basal Ganglia parts of the brain. Serotonin is the chemical messenger for the brain structures. People with OCD are believed to have lower levels of serotonin levels in the brain. If a normal working brain and its communication is represented as a loop, lower concentrations of serotonin disable the closing of the loop to perform functions normally and as a “flow”. This causes jumps in the brains thoughts and functions; the brain has to start the loop again. This is represented through the compulsions and obsessive thoughts.
WHAT ARE THE SYMTOMS???
The two main ones are obsessions and compulsions. These include hand washing, negative or unwanted thoughts and particular actions performed unwillingly. OCD affects ages usually from childhood to age 40.
Obsessions:
Ideas, thoughts or actions that are out of your control and you perform them unwillingly. Normally these thoughts (hand washing etc.) are excessively thought of.
Compulsions:
Compulsions are actions performed to have temporary relive of the obsessions; normally it makes the situation worse for the person making the obsession worse when the compulsion is completed
E.g.
A person has an intrusive thought and through this, they count numbers or walk unnecessarily to bring relieve from the thoughts, normally only making the thoughts worse; the person follows sort of fake rules in order to relieve them from the thoughts.
IT’S EFFECTS ON PEOPLE:
There are many effects on a person when suffering with OCD. Depression can be linked to older men that suffer with OCD. For everyone, it can make a person, very unhappy with themselves, “low”, like there is something wrong with there personality (its not there fault), and unsure about how to attack the situation.
METHODS TO COMBAT:
Although there are few that are fully cleared of OCD, there are methods, which will overcome OCD (long term scale).
1. increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain (will create the flowing loop again)
2. CBT (cognitive behavior therapy)
a. talking it over with people
b. fighting back by “not doing”- knowing the compulsions will go away
c. understanding nothing will happen
3. Good parenting is the KEY!
• It is said, that when a person suffering with OCD, the parts of the brain affect relate to a 2 year old and thus through this, is the reason why normal talking and common sense do not apply when trying to combat OCD by yourself. It is important to override the thoughts and take control of your thoughts, not letting the thoughts (2 year old) override you.
The biggest problem for people with OCD is the feeling that their thoughts will become a reality unless they perform there compulsions. It is quite distressful for people with OCD to fight back because that means (what they believe) their thoughts will continue and become a reality and through this, it will be because of them.
E.g. Intrusive Thoughts
If a person with OCD have an intrusive thought, they “must” perform compulsions to make it go away. Symptoms like not saying a sentence in case there thought will turn reality is an example. If they don’t do such a thing, then there thought will turn into a reality.
It must be known to “let go” and through this, the thoughts will get less intense. Just like a 2 year old, if they don’t get what they want, they stop nagging so much.
Questions to think about:
1. What are your opinions based on the facts above?
2. Do you think you are born with OCD or it can develop in people?
3. Do you think an environment would influence OCD development?
4. Is there anything you would like to share?
BIBLIOGRPAHY
1. About OCD (Internet) (2008) Available from: http://www.ocfoundation.org/what-is-ocd.html (Accessed 17 October, 2008)
2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Internet) (2008) Available from: http://ocdyouth.iop.kcl.ac.uk/ (Accessed 17 October, 2008)
“OCD is a disorder that affects 1 in every 50 men and twice as many as that suffer from OCD in some point in their lives”. This blog on OCD is aiming to give others a brief introduction in OCD, its symptoms, its effects and some methods of combating OCD
SO WHAT IS OCD???
When a person has many doubts or worries in real life that become excessive. These worries are elevated to an extreme level where rituals are performed to take these feelings away. When a brain has a particular thought of process; a person can’t get rid of and can’t take the thought away.
It must be understood that it is not the person’s faults due to weak personality.
The complete reason for OCD is not fully understood; however research has looked into the issue of OCD and suggest there is a problem between the communication between the Orbital Cortex and the Basal Ganglia parts of the brain. Serotonin is the chemical messenger for the brain structures. People with OCD are believed to have lower levels of serotonin levels in the brain. If a normal working brain and its communication is represented as a loop, lower concentrations of serotonin disable the closing of the loop to perform functions normally and as a “flow”. This causes jumps in the brains thoughts and functions; the brain has to start the loop again. This is represented through the compulsions and obsessive thoughts.
WHAT ARE THE SYMTOMS???
The two main ones are obsessions and compulsions. These include hand washing, negative or unwanted thoughts and particular actions performed unwillingly. OCD affects ages usually from childhood to age 40.
Obsessions:
Ideas, thoughts or actions that are out of your control and you perform them unwillingly. Normally these thoughts (hand washing etc.) are excessively thought of.
Compulsions:
Compulsions are actions performed to have temporary relive of the obsessions; normally it makes the situation worse for the person making the obsession worse when the compulsion is completed
E.g.
A person has an intrusive thought and through this, they count numbers or walk unnecessarily to bring relieve from the thoughts, normally only making the thoughts worse; the person follows sort of fake rules in order to relieve them from the thoughts.
IT’S EFFECTS ON PEOPLE:
There are many effects on a person when suffering with OCD. Depression can be linked to older men that suffer with OCD. For everyone, it can make a person, very unhappy with themselves, “low”, like there is something wrong with there personality (its not there fault), and unsure about how to attack the situation.
METHODS TO COMBAT:
Although there are few that are fully cleared of OCD, there are methods, which will overcome OCD (long term scale).
1. increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain (will create the flowing loop again)
2. CBT (cognitive behavior therapy)
a. talking it over with people
b. fighting back by “not doing”- knowing the compulsions will go away
c. understanding nothing will happen
3. Good parenting is the KEY!
• It is said, that when a person suffering with OCD, the parts of the brain affect relate to a 2 year old and thus through this, is the reason why normal talking and common sense do not apply when trying to combat OCD by yourself. It is important to override the thoughts and take control of your thoughts, not letting the thoughts (2 year old) override you.
The biggest problem for people with OCD is the feeling that their thoughts will become a reality unless they perform there compulsions. It is quite distressful for people with OCD to fight back because that means (what they believe) their thoughts will continue and become a reality and through this, it will be because of them.
E.g. Intrusive Thoughts
If a person with OCD have an intrusive thought, they “must” perform compulsions to make it go away. Symptoms like not saying a sentence in case there thought will turn reality is an example. If they don’t do such a thing, then there thought will turn into a reality.
It must be known to “let go” and through this, the thoughts will get less intense. Just like a 2 year old, if they don’t get what they want, they stop nagging so much.
Questions to think about:
1. What are your opinions based on the facts above?
2. Do you think you are born with OCD or it can develop in people?
3. Do you think an environment would influence OCD development?
4. Is there anything you would like to share?
BIBLIOGRPAHY
1. About OCD (Internet) (2008) Available from: http://www.ocfoundation.org/what-is-ocd.html (Accessed 17 October, 2008)
2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Internet) (2008) Available from: http://ocdyouth.iop.kcl.ac.uk/ (Accessed 17 October, 2008)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Topic 4: Artificial Selection
Darwin argues that those characteristics we might think to be specifically human — physical strength and health, morality, and intelligence — were actually achieved by natural selection. From this, he infers two related eugenic conclusions.
First, if the desirable results of strength, health, morality, and intelligence are caused by natural selection, then we can improve them by artificial selection. We can breed better human beings, even rise above the human to the superhuman. Since human beings have been raised above the other animals by the struggle to survive, they may be raised even higher, transcending human nature to something—who knows?—as much above men as men are now above the apes.
Second, if good breeding gives us better results, pushing us up the evolutionary slope, then bad or indiscriminate breeding drags us back down. "If…various checks…do not prevent the reckless, the vicious and otherwise inferior members of society from increasing at a quicker rate than the better class of men," Darwin groaned, "the nation will retrograde, as has occurred too often in the history of the world. We must remember that progress is no invariable rule."
What about the link to Hitler? The first, most important thing to understand is that the link between Darwin and Hitler was not immediate. Darwin's eugenic ideas were spread all over Europe and America, until they were common intellectual coin by Hitler's time. Secondly, we misunderstand Hitler's evil if we reduce it to anti-Semitism. Hitler's anti-Semitism had, of course, multiple causes, including his own warped character. That having been said, Nazism was at heart a racial, that is, a biological political program based up evolutionary theory. It was "applied biology," in the words of deputy party leader of the Nazis, Rudolph Hess, and done for the sake of a perceived greater good, racial purity, that is, for the sake of a race purified of physical and mental defects, imperfections, and racial inferiority.
The proposed ruthlessness of his solution was in direct imitation of nature conceived according to Darwinism. "Just as Nature concentrates its greatest attention, not to the maintenance of what already exists but on the selective breeding of offspring in order to carry on the species, so in human life also it is less a matter of artificially improving the existing generation—which, owing to human characteristics, is impossible in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred—and more a matter of securing from the very start a better road for future development."
How do we secure a better road for future development? By ensuring that only the best of the best race, the Aryan race, breed, and pruning away all the unfit and racially inferior. That isn't just a theory; it's eugenic Darwinism as a political program. As Hitler made clear, "the State is looked upon only as a means to an end and this end is the conservation of the racial characteristics of mankind." Jews have to be pruned away, but also Gypsies, Slavs, the retarded, handicapped, and anyone else that is biologically unfit.
Information gathered from:
Wiker, B. Dr (2008) Darwin’s Dystopia, Retrieved 7th October 2008 from http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2020937/posts
Question:
• If you could have tried to prevent Hitler from going through with his enforced selective breeding what arguments would you have put forward?
Answer the above question by responding to this post.
When you post a comment, tick the anonymous box and then finish your response with your first name and class only.
Please remember all comments are moderated.
First, if the desirable results of strength, health, morality, and intelligence are caused by natural selection, then we can improve them by artificial selection. We can breed better human beings, even rise above the human to the superhuman. Since human beings have been raised above the other animals by the struggle to survive, they may be raised even higher, transcending human nature to something—who knows?—as much above men as men are now above the apes.
Second, if good breeding gives us better results, pushing us up the evolutionary slope, then bad or indiscriminate breeding drags us back down. "If…various checks…do not prevent the reckless, the vicious and otherwise inferior members of society from increasing at a quicker rate than the better class of men," Darwin groaned, "the nation will retrograde, as has occurred too often in the history of the world. We must remember that progress is no invariable rule."
What about the link to Hitler? The first, most important thing to understand is that the link between Darwin and Hitler was not immediate. Darwin's eugenic ideas were spread all over Europe and America, until they were common intellectual coin by Hitler's time. Secondly, we misunderstand Hitler's evil if we reduce it to anti-Semitism. Hitler's anti-Semitism had, of course, multiple causes, including his own warped character. That having been said, Nazism was at heart a racial, that is, a biological political program based up evolutionary theory. It was "applied biology," in the words of deputy party leader of the Nazis, Rudolph Hess, and done for the sake of a perceived greater good, racial purity, that is, for the sake of a race purified of physical and mental defects, imperfections, and racial inferiority.
The proposed ruthlessness of his solution was in direct imitation of nature conceived according to Darwinism. "Just as Nature concentrates its greatest attention, not to the maintenance of what already exists but on the selective breeding of offspring in order to carry on the species, so in human life also it is less a matter of artificially improving the existing generation—which, owing to human characteristics, is impossible in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred—and more a matter of securing from the very start a better road for future development."
How do we secure a better road for future development? By ensuring that only the best of the best race, the Aryan race, breed, and pruning away all the unfit and racially inferior. That isn't just a theory; it's eugenic Darwinism as a political program. As Hitler made clear, "the State is looked upon only as a means to an end and this end is the conservation of the racial characteristics of mankind." Jews have to be pruned away, but also Gypsies, Slavs, the retarded, handicapped, and anyone else that is biologically unfit.
Information gathered from:
Wiker, B. Dr (2008) Darwin’s Dystopia, Retrieved 7th October 2008 from http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2020937/posts
Question:
• If you could have tried to prevent Hitler from going through with his enforced selective breeding what arguments would you have put forward?
Answer the above question by responding to this post.
When you post a comment, tick the anonymous box and then finish your response with your first name and class only.
Please remember all comments are moderated.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Topic 3: Nurturing
While studies of children who have suffered severe deprivation are generally unpleasant, they provide valuable insight into the impact that environmental experiences have on the development of the individual. There is much evidence to suggest that early learning environments literally shape the developing brain (Nelson, 1999).
Some studies have involved mistreated children who, tragically, have spent their first years in cupboards, attics and other restricted environments. When first discovered, these children are usually mute, retarded and emotionally damaged.
Some suffer from deprivation dwarfism, a condition characterised by stunted physical growth associated with stress, isolation or general deprivation. Efforts to teach such severely deprived children to speak and behave normally rarely succeed.
Case Study: ‘Closet child’ now with loving parents:
Becky’s story began to unfold when the Sheriff’s Department responded to a tip like hundreds of others. They found Becky in urine-soaked clothes, asleep on a hard cot in her parents’ bedroom.
‘She was almost like an animal,’ one of the deputies reported. Her world then was the bedroom and its closet, in which she was kept for untold hours. Now Becky lives in a spacious foster home.
Since Becky’s rescue, she has gained 12 pounds and grown 6 inches. But she is still a mite, for she weighed only 24 pounds and stood only 32 inches tall last April.
When she was found, Becky couldn’t even crawl; now she walks. Then, she knew only a few words – now she speaks in sentences. She is, except for the hurt in her eyes, almost like any toddler.
But Rebecca is no toddler. She is nine years old and her paediatrician says she may never catch up.
Information gathered from:
Van Lersel et al. (2005) Nelson Psychology, Thomson Nelson, pg. 114
Questions:
• If most of our development is due to nature, why didn’t Becky go through the normal stages of development?
• What possible explanations could there be for why Becky’s development hasn’t caught up?
Answer the above question by responding to this post – you may wish to do some additional research regarding the critical and sensitive period.
When you post a comment, tick the anonymous box and then finish your response with your first name and class only.
Please remember all comments are moderated.
Some studies have involved mistreated children who, tragically, have spent their first years in cupboards, attics and other restricted environments. When first discovered, these children are usually mute, retarded and emotionally damaged.
Some suffer from deprivation dwarfism, a condition characterised by stunted physical growth associated with stress, isolation or general deprivation. Efforts to teach such severely deprived children to speak and behave normally rarely succeed.
Case Study: ‘Closet child’ now with loving parents:
Becky’s story began to unfold when the Sheriff’s Department responded to a tip like hundreds of others. They found Becky in urine-soaked clothes, asleep on a hard cot in her parents’ bedroom.
‘She was almost like an animal,’ one of the deputies reported. Her world then was the bedroom and its closet, in which she was kept for untold hours. Now Becky lives in a spacious foster home.
Since Becky’s rescue, she has gained 12 pounds and grown 6 inches. But she is still a mite, for she weighed only 24 pounds and stood only 32 inches tall last April.
When she was found, Becky couldn’t even crawl; now she walks. Then, she knew only a few words – now she speaks in sentences. She is, except for the hurt in her eyes, almost like any toddler.
But Rebecca is no toddler. She is nine years old and her paediatrician says she may never catch up.
Information gathered from:
Van Lersel et al. (2005) Nelson Psychology, Thomson Nelson, pg. 114
Questions:
• If most of our development is due to nature, why didn’t Becky go through the normal stages of development?
• What possible explanations could there be for why Becky’s development hasn’t caught up?
Answer the above question by responding to this post – you may wish to do some additional research regarding the critical and sensitive period.
When you post a comment, tick the anonymous box and then finish your response with your first name and class only.
Please remember all comments are moderated.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Topic 2: Twin Studies
The Two Jims
Jim Springer and Jim Lewis are identical twins who were separated at four weeks of age, adopted by different families and reunited at the age of 39.
Unknown to each other, both families named the boys James. Both James’ grew up not knowing of the other, yet there were some uncanny similarities. Both worked as part-time deputy sheriffs, both had abilities in mechanical drawing and carpentry, both liked maths but disliked spelling, both drove the same type of car and each had married women named Linda. Both had sons, one of who was named James Alan and the other named James Allan. The twin brothers also divorced their wives and married other women - both named Betty. And they both owned dogs which they named Toy.
Unknown to each other, both families named the boys James. Both James’ grew up not knowing of the other, yet there were some uncanny similarities. Both worked as part-time deputy sheriffs, both had abilities in mechanical drawing and carpentry, both liked maths but disliked spelling, both drove the same type of car and each had married women named Linda. Both had sons, one of who was named James Alan and the other named James Allan. The twin brothers also divorced their wives and married other women - both named Betty. And they both owned dogs which they named Toy.
The twins were not similar in all facets of their lives; one expressed himself better orally; the other was better at writing. Initially, they wore their hair completely differently. One Jim preferred to wear his hair slicked back with sideburns; the other wore his over his forehead.
Information gathered from:
Funny Emails (2008) Retrieved 7th October 2008 from, treebeard31.wordpress.com/.../
Van Lersel et al. (2005) Nelson Psychology, Thomson Nelson, pg. 113
Questions:
· How do twin studies such as these add to the nature vs. nurture debate?
· Are the 2 Jims clearly a case of nature?
· What other information would it be interesting to compare?
Funny Emails (2008) Retrieved 7th October 2008 from, treebeard31.wordpress.com/.../
Van Lersel et al. (2005) Nelson Psychology, Thomson Nelson, pg. 113
Questions:
· How do twin studies such as these add to the nature vs. nurture debate?
· Are the 2 Jims clearly a case of nature?
· What other information would it be interesting to compare?
Answer the above questions by responding to this post.
Please remember all comments are moderated.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Topic 1: Personal Reflection
"You are either a product of your genes and biology (nature), or what you are is due to experience and environment (nurture)."
Cardwell & Flanagan (2003) Psychology AS, Nelson Thornes, pg. 159
Before exploring this in psychological terms, what is your reaction to this debate?
Cardwell & Flanagan (2003) Psychology AS, Nelson Thornes, pg. 159
Before exploring this in psychological terms, what is your reaction to this debate?
- Using your own experiences to date do you believe your current behaviour is due to biological or environmental factors?
Answer the above question by responding to this post.
When you post a comment, tick the anonymous box and then finish your response with your first name and class only.
Please remember all comments are moderated.
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