Week 4

Question 1

Synaptogenesis

brain development in infancy

Answer 1

formation of new synapses
* neurons and glial cells enlarge
* dendrites grow and branch out

• synapses greatly increase in first year of life and dendrites increase by 500% in first 2 years
• triggered by exposure to environmental stimulation

Question 2

Synaptic pruning

brain development in infancy

Answer 2

loss of unused neural connections in response to experience

use it or lose it!

improves efficiency of neural communication by strengthening used connections

Question 3

Child abuse

i.e. child maltreatment

Answer 3

any intentional harm to a minor (under age 18) physically, emotionally, sexually, or through neglect

• affects children’s physical, cognitive, socioemotional development
• neglect is most common, then physical and sexual abuse

Question 4

Child neglect

Answer 4

depriving a child of adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care

usually not intentional and often due to poverty

Question 5

Risk factors for child abuse

Answer 5

• child’s characteristics (e.g. difficult temperament, special needs, preterm)
• parent’s characteristics (e.g. poor impulse control and problem-solving, income loss, parental stress)
• community factors (e.g. inadequate housing, violence, poverty)

or societal factors (e.g. fundamentalist Christian belief that controlling children is necessary; spanking instills discipline)

Question 6

Health consequences of smoking

Answer 6

• declines in cardiovascular function (young adults)
• withdrawal symptoms of nicotine (e.g. irritability, craving, anxiety, attention deficits)

e-cigarettes are associated with heightened risk for cardiovascular and lung disease, and transition to tobacco smoking

Question 7

Negative effects of regular marijuana use among teens and young adults

Answer 7

• brain alterations (e.g. reduced brain and gray matter volumes)
• neurocognitive deficits (e.g. attention, learning, memory, processing speed, executive control)