Chapter 14 - Disorders of childhood

Question 1

Meta- analysis

Answer 1

Statistical thecnique for summarising results across several studies.

Question 2

Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

Answer 2

Disorder marked by deficits in attention, controlling impulses and regulating activity levels.

Question 3

Executive functions

Answer 3

Functions of the brain that involve the ability to sustain attention; use abstract reasoning; plan, initiate and monitor goal-directed behaviours; and shift from maladaptive patterns of behaviour to more adaptive ones.

Question 4

Specific learning disorder

Answer 4

Disorder of learning characterised by lower than expected performance in a particular area of learning relative to the child’s chronological age and intellectual ability.

Question 5

Reading disorder

Answer 5

Learning disorder involving deficits in reading ability.

Question 6

Heritability

Answer 6

Percentage indicating the degree to which genes contribute to the development of a disorder.

Question 7

Autism spectrum disorder

Answer 7

Characterised by impairments in social communication and interaction, and repetitive behaviours, interests and activities.

Question 8

Concordance rate

Answer 8

Probability that both members of a twin pair will develop the same disorder.

Question 9

Prenatal

Answer 9

The period occurring before birth.

Question 10

Perinatal

Answer 10

The period occurring around the time of birth.

Question 11

Intellectual disability

Answer 11

Group of disorders characterised by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning.

Question 12

Pervasive developmental disorders

Answer 12

Disorders characterised by severe and persisting impairment in several areas of development.

Question 13

Postnatal

Answer 13

The period occurring after birth

Question 14

Externalising disorders

Answer 14

Broad categorisation of childhood disorders that includes disorders characterised by problems of under-control, where behaviours are directed at others (such as conduct disorder).

Question 15

Oppositional defiant disorder

Answer 15

Disorder of chrnic misbehaviour in children marked by belligerence, irritability and defiance.

Question 16

Conduct disorder

Answer 16

Disorder marked by chronic disregard for the rights of others, including specific behaviours such as stealing, lying and engaging in acts of violence.

Question 17

Androgen

Answer 17

Substance (such as testosterone) producing male characteristics.

Question 18

Correlation study

Answer 18

Type of study in which researchers assess only the relationship between two variables and do not manipulate one variable to determine its effect on another variable (as in an experimental study).

Question 19

Experimental study

Answer 19

Type of study that can address the issue of causality given that the independent variable is directly manipulated so that its effect on the dependent variable can be examined.

Question 20

Seperation anxiety disorder

Answer 20

Disorder of childhood characterised by abnormal fear or worry over becoming seperated from one’s caregivers as well as clining behaviour in the presence of caregivers.

Question 21

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Answer 21

Type of psychological treatment that combines both cognitive and behavioural concepts and techniques.

Question 22

Selective mutism

Answer 22

Disorder characterised by a persistent failure to speak in certain settings even though the individual has the ability to speak.

Question 23

Enuresis

Answer 23

Elimination disorder in children who are at least 5 years of age and who wet the bed or their clothes at least twice a week for three months.

Question 24

Encopresis

Answer 24

Elimination disorder in children who are at least 4 years old and who defecate inappropriately at least once a month for three months.

Question 25

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 25

Part of the autonomic nervous system that is involved in maintaining bodily systems (such as breathing and digestion) when the organism is not active or aroused.

Question 26

Bell and pad method

Answer 26

Treatment for enuresis in which a pad placed under a sleeping child to detect traces of urine sets of a bell when urine is detected, so as to condition the child to wake up and use the bathroom before urinating.