Chapter 7 / Biological Approaches

Question 1

phrenology

Answer 1

The study of the shape and the size of the skull as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities. This theory has been discredited.

Question 2

atavism

Answer 2

A term associated with Cesare Lombroso and the Positivist School of thought; the notion that criminals are less evolved than “normal” humans.

Question 3

eugenics

Answer 3

Methods to improve populations by controlling breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics.

Question 4

enivroment

Answer 4

The external conditions, resources, and stimuli a person interacts with.

Question 5

concordance rate

Answer 5

In a random sample of pairs, the proportion of pairs that share a certain characteristic.

Question 6

dizygotic (DZ) twins

Answer 6

Twins are the result of two sperms fertilizing two eggs.

Question 7

monozygotic (MZ) twins

Answer 7

Twins are the result of a single sperm fertilizing a single egg which then cleaves into two separate zygotes, resulting in two genetically identical babies.

Question 8

meta-analysis

Answer 8

A quantitative statistical analysis of several similar experiments or studies to test for statistical significance.

Question 9

etiology

Answer 9

The cause of a condition.

Question 10

labelling

Answer 10

Based on labelling theory, the act of describing someone as deviant.

Question 11

correlation

Answer 11

The finding that two measurable phenomena occur together, suggesting a relationship, but not necessarily one of direct cause and effect.

Question 12

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Answer 12

A condition that includes a combination of behaviours , such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour.

Question 13

dopamine

Answer 13

A neurotransmitter that controls the reward and pleasure centres of the brain.

Question 14

neurotransmitter

Answer 14

A substance that carries signals from cell to cell.

Question 15

serotonin

Answer 15

A neurochemical that plays an important role in depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Also involved in brain development, serotonin dysfunction could lead to an increase in impulsiveness.

Question 16

fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Answer 16

The range of disorders that can arise in a child if the child’s mother drank alcohol while pregnant. It is a leading cause of preventable developmental disability in Canada.

Question 17

computer tomography (CT)

Answer 17

A medical technique combining X-rays taken at many different angles and computer technology.

Question 18

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 18

A medical diagnostic technique that uses a powerful magnet, radiofrequency waves, and computer imaging to produce images of tissues.

Question 19

positron emission tomography (PET)

Answer 19

A recording of body images via a radioactive isotope injected into the blood that can be followed in the body during activities. It is commonly used to study the functioning of the parts of the brain.

Question 20

single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Answer 20

A recording of body images via a radioactive isotope injected into the blood that provides a 3D image of tissues. It is commonly used to measure brain blood flow.