U1 AOS1

Question 1

Psychological development

Answer 1

The study of how individuals change cognitively, socially and emotionally, from infancy to death.

Question 2

Types of psychological development

Answer 2

Cognitive - changes in mental abilities such as problem-solving, memory, reasoning
Social - changes in abilities to make and maintain connections with others, such as learning to share, work in a team
Emotional - changes in abilities to manage and express emotions, such as learning to identify emotions

Question 3

Define key terms of inheritance, in doing so, explain the process of inheritance

Answer 3

When sperm fuses to the egg in conception, the genetic material between the 2, combine to form an embryo, with a uniquely formed set of genes. During this process, things like blood type and bone structure are formed, and will remain constant throughout the embryo’s life. The collection of an individual’s genes is known as their genotype (plan for individual), which determines physical traits like hair colour, skin colour, among other traits, and the ways that these genes can be expressed are influenced by outer environmental factors.

Question 4

Distinguish between hereditary and environmental factors

Answer 4

Hereditary factors are genetically inherited from parent to offspring, and can include eye colour, hair colour, or a genetic predisposition to depression/anxiety. Whereas, environmental factors are external influences from the conditions in which an individual grows up in and lives in.

Question 5

Explain the interlinked relationship of genes and environmental factors, in determining how an individual turns out

Answer 5

Genes and environmental factors have an interlinked relationship, where genes can affect how an individual approaches/engages with the environment that they live in. For example, if an individual presents a genetic predisposition to introversion, they may be less likely to seek out social opportunities, and more prone to working and/or living alone. However, environmental factors also affect how genes are expressed, and whether an individual’s full potential can be realised. For example, if a child’s parents were both skilled violinists, the child may exhibit the genes associated with being a strong musician. Yet, if they were not offered the opportunity to participate in music lessons or receive exposure to a variety of musicians, their musical abilities may not be as strong as they could be.

Question 6

What are some examples of environmental factors?

Answer 6

• Socioeconomic status - affects access to basic resources, healthcare, quality of education available, extra-curricular activities, etc.
• Physical environment - rurality of the area in which they live in, levels of exposure to diseases, weather, etc.
• Attatchment - children feel protected and loved in their family - insecure attatchment can lead to poor self-esteem, failing to make contact with caregivers, and an inability to maintain stable relationships
• Prenatal environment - treatment the feotus experienced during pregnancy - alcohol use can lead to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - lower birth weight, increased risk of prematurity and miscarriage
• Sensory input - Brain growth can be fostered through a versatile amount of sensory stimulation, especially at a young age - creates associations in the brain with the 5 senses, allowing for more complex connections to take place

Question 7

Ethical concepts

Question 8

Integrity

Question 9

Justice

Question 10

Beneficence

Question 11

Non-maleficence

Question 12

Respect

Question 13

Ethical Guidelines

Question 14

What are ethics committees?

Question 15

What additional measures should be put in place to address experiments involving Aboriginal Australians?

Question 16

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 16

An approach that models the complex interaction between social, environmental and psychological factors in mental health. It also recognises the significance of risk and protective factors, in developing a mental health condition. Created under the understanding that to treat a person, you must consider the whole spectrum of the human experience.

Question 17

Define mental health and mental wellbeing

Answer 17

Mental health is a spectrum, measuring how an individual thinks, feels and behaves in response to everyday challenges and stressors.

Question 18

Distinguish between risk factors and protective factors

Answer 18

Risk factors are factors that increase an individual’s likelihood of developing a mental health disorder, such as a genetic predisposition to a specific trait, whereas protective factors are factors considered to lower, or decrease the chances for an individual to develop a mental health disorder, such as receiving adequate amounts of sleep, or having a strong work-life balance.

Question 19

What is categorised as mentally healthy?

Answer 19

Individuals who are mentally healthy can exhibit positive self-esteem and celebrate the things they are good at, can cope with everyday challenges and changes and act in a way that contributes to society. They also can express their emotions appropriately and use critical thinking skills.

Question 20

What is categorised as a mental problem?

Answer 20

Individuals who have a mental health problem, are experiencing a temporary disruption to everyday functioning. They are typically brought on by one, or a combination of, major life stressors (such as moving house, moving schools, experiencing loss and grief, etc.). Symptoms can include a lack of concentration, change in sleep or appetite, social isolation, and losing motivation for tasks they previously enjoyed. If symptoms persist, or the severity of symptoms increases, the mental health problem can escalate into a mental health disorder.

Question 21

What is categorised as a mental disorder?

Answer 21

Mental health disorders are long-term combinations of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that can impair an individual’s ability to participate in everyday life. They are identified through the 3 Ds; Distress (unpleasant, upsetting emotions like anxiety or anger, either experienced by the individual with the disorder, or the people around them, as a result of that individual) , Dysfunction (an inability to perform everyday tasks to an adequate standard - such as travelling to work or school, maintaining personal hygiene) and Deviance (acting in a way that is different to the expectations of their society or culture, shouting/swearing in public, stripping, etc.). These behaviours cannot be done on purpose, or as a response to emphasise public outcry.

Question 22

Aboriginal perspectives on mental wellebing

Question 23

Social factors - wellbeing/development

Answer 23

Social factors are

Question 24

Biological factors - wellbeing/development

Question 25

Psychological factors - wellbeing/development