aim b Flashcards
definitions of nature and nurture
nature is the influence of genetics on an individual
nurture is the influence of the environment on an individual
gesell’s maturation theory
- he identified milestones for each developmental aspect, normative approach
- child moves through the sequence at their own pace
- development and pace is genetically pre-determined
- nature side of nature vs nurture debate
- says child should only be taught new things when intellectually ready
- similar to chomsky
define maturation
complex changes, including an increase in skills, abilities and capabilities, capped by genetics
criticisms of gesell’s maturation theory
- doesn’t take learning disabilities into account
- doesn’t consider environmental influences into account
- bandura says behaviour is learnt through observation and imitation
- only studied white, middle class parents and children
bandura’s social learning theory
behaviour is learnt through observing and imitating others
when we observe others, we notice what response they get
when behaviour is learnt yet performed later, it is called latent learning
we need motivation to imitate others
define primary socialisation
learning norms and expectations from first role model influences (parents/caregivers)
define secondary socialisation
influences outside the family home (the media, teachers, peers)
motivation to imitate
similarity to ourselves, gender, prestige, competence, fame, status
criticisms of bandura’s social learning theory
not all behaviour is copied - where is it learnt from?
doesn’t take personality traits into account
strengths of bandura’s social learning theory
behaviour is shaped by more than just rewards & reinforcement
suggests positive role models encourage positive behaviour
explains why people carry out behaviours without reward
describe the stress-diathesis model
the idea that a disorder or behaviour trait is more likely to be expressed when triggered by the environment
define susceptibility
increased likelihood to develop a disease or health condition
cancer definition
over 200 types
a cell disease, cells replicate uncontrollably
most can be linked to the environment/lifestyle choices
mutations in certain genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PALB2, PTEN) increase risk of breast cancer
faults can be detected through a blood test
diabetes
type 1 –> body doesn’t produce insulin, disposition impacts
type 2 –> body makes less insulin and becomes immune to it, disposition and environment impact
high blood cholesterol
risk increased by unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, smoking & drinking
can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke
HDL is good cholesterol, LDL is bad
1 in 600 babies are born with high blood cholesterol
cystic fibrosis (genes, symptoms, phenotype, treatments)
faulty gene carried by 4% of UK population
recessive, both parents must be carriers for children to inherit
causes lungs to be clogged with mucus
symptoms include problems absorbing food, respiratory and chest infections
treatments include physiotherapy to control breathing, special diet and drugs for food absorption
brittle bone disease
can be inherited, or developed via mutation
high risk of fracturing/breaking bones due to lack of or wrong type of collagen
can be helped through physiotherapy, assistive treatments and drug treatment
phenylketonuria (pku)
prevents the child from breaking down amino acid ‘phenylalanine’ (found in milk, meat, eggs)
if the child eats food containing the above, leads to build-up of harmful substances causing damage to brain development
detected at birth via heel prick blood
test
results in severe learning difficulty or death in untreated
huntington’s disease
symptoms start between 35-55
causes damage to the brain’s nerve cells
symptoms include depression, mood swings, fidgety movements, problems with feeding, erratic behaviour
klinefelter’s syndrome
- found in 1 in 600 boys
- extra X chromosome acquired post-conception
- slow to reach milestones, undescended testicles, poor muscle power, delayed communication, passive personality (causes difficulty socialising, expressing feelings, which impacts emotional development, leading to low self confidence)
- mild learning difficulties (short attention span, difficulty with literacy, higher rates of dyslexia & dyspraxia)
- symptoms: low energy levels, extra growth spurts, testes do not grow, lack of testosterone, low muscle tone, less calcium in bones, small firm testicles, small penis, lack of body/facial hair, difficulty with libido & fertility
- treatment available for low testosterone levels, mastectomy, fertility treatments
down’s syndrome
- due to extra chromosome 21
- not inherited
- can cause varying levels of learning disability
- characteristic physical features, associated medical issues
- increased risk when mother is 45+
- life expectancy is 50-60
- more likely to develop depression, hearing, heart and visual issues
colour blindness
- individual has no colour perception at all
- affects 2.7 million people in Britain, mostly men
- genetic for most, or as a result of other conditions (diabetes, MS)
- can be affected by the ageing process, or side effect of a mutation
duchenne muscular dystrophy
- muscles weaken gradually
- caused by damage in the genes responsible for muscle structure and function
- inherited on female gene and passed down to male offspring
- seen in 1 in 3500 boys in the UK
- prevents body from producing dystrophin
- usually diagnosed by 5, in wheelchair by 12
- affects gross motor more than fine
- survival beyond 30 is rare
congenital disorder definition
a condition present from birth, can be inherited or environmental, is not always severe
genetic risk factors for congenital disorders
- chromosome abnormalities (down’s CF)
- consanguinity doubles risk of neonatal and childhood death, disability and other anomalies
socioeconomic risk factors for congenital disorders
- 94% of congenital disorders are found in low and middle income countries
- poorer access to healthcare and screening
- maternal age
environmental factors for congenital disorders
- maternal infections (syphilis, rubella, zika)
- exposure to radiation, certain pollutants
- maternal nutritional deficiencies (iodine, folate)
- illness (gestational diabetes)
- certain drugs (alcohol, nicotene)
foetal alcohol syndrome
- caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb
- cause a wide range of physical, behavioural and learning problems
- most likely during the second half of the 1st trimester
physical features of FASDs
small head, small eye openings, flat upper part of nose, short nose, thin upper lip, flat philtrum
rubella
can cause hearing and vision problems, brain inflammation, cerebral palsy, stunted intrauterine growth, heart disease, stillbirth, miscarriage, diabetes
more dangerous when contracted in early pregnancy
zika
microcephaly, smaller & less developed brains