Brain Development Risk and Protective Factors - Lecture Three

Question 1

What is behavior genetics?

Answer 1

The study of the impact of experience on the selective expression of genetics in development.

Question 2

What is epigenetics?

Answer 2

Focuses on gene activity rather than presence, understanding how environment influences gene expression.

Question 3

What does epigenetics explore?

Answer 3

How genetic makeup and environment interact to influence gene expression.

Question 4

What are passive genotype-environment correlations?

Answer 4

Parents provide a rearing environment reflecting their own genetic predispositions.

Question 5

What are evocative genotype-environment correlations?

Answer 5

An adolescent’s genetically shaped traits elicit certain physical and social environments.

Question 6

What are active (niche-picking) genotype-environment correlations?

Answer 6

Children seek out environments they find compatible and stimulating.

Question 7

What are the levels of organization in the brain?

Answer 7

Cellular, neurochemical, and structural.

Question 8

What is the sequence of brain development?

Answer 8

Bottom-up: brainstem and midbrain systems develop during gestation and early months after birth; limbic system and cortical areas develop over first 3 years; neocortex and prefrontal lobes continue through adolescence.

Question 9

What role does the cortex play in brain development?

Answer 9

Cortical modulation influences primitive brain parts; supports self-regulation, frustration tolerance, and impulse control.

Question 10

When does the greatest amount of early brain growth occur?

Answer 10

Between the seventh month in utero and age 2.

Question 11

What percentage of brain development is completed at birth and by age two?

Answer 11

25% at birth, 75% by age two.

Question 12

What is synaptogenesis?

Answer 12

The wiring process where neurons connect by sending out dendritic axons.

Question 13

What happens during synaptic overproduction and pruning?

Answer 13

Excess synapses and dendritic connections form and then are pruned away if unused.

Question 14

When do the visual and auditory cortexes peak and begin pruning?

Answer 14

Visual and auditory cortex peak at 3 months and begin pruning afterward.

Question 15

Until what age does sound recognition synaptic pathway remain open?

Answer 15

Until about 10 years of age.

Question 16

What is brain plasticity?

Answer 16

The brain’s ability to recover from injury, especially strong in first 5 years.

Question 17

How does bonding and attachment affect brain development?

Answer 17

Baby is wired for attachment; hormones like oxytocin at birth promote caring and social interaction; skin-to-skin and face-to-face engagement regulate arousal and teach emotions.

Question 18

What is the cortical mirror neuron circuit?

Answer 18

Formed by the inferior parietal lobe and ventral premotor cortex; mediates imitation and understanding action.

Question 19

What factors protect brain development during pregnancy?

Answer 19

Mother’s overall health, adequate nutrition pre- and postnatally, and full gestation.

Question 20

What enhances brain growth after birth?

Answer 20

Secure and stimulating relationships.

Question 21

What are examples of risk factors for brain development?

Answer 21

Genetic disorders, prenatal alcohol exposure, prematurity, poor nutrition (especially 2nd half of pregnancy through age 2).

Question 22

When does explicit memory develop?

Answer 22

Around age 3.

Question 23

What memory do infants use before explicit memory develops?

Answer 23

Implicit memory storage.

Question 24

What happens to infants during early chronic trauma?

Answer 24

They dissociate and experience hyperarousal.

Question 25

What is the impact of institutional deprivation?

Answer 25

Developmental delays, self-regulation difficulties, attachment disturbances increase with time in orphanage.

Question 26

What is resilience?

Answer 26

The ability to function competently under threat or recover quickly from extreme stress or trauma.

Question 27

What contributes to good developmental outcomes despite risk?

Answer 27

Supportive environments and the development of resilience over time.

Question 28

What are Thomas and Chess’s temperament types?

Answer 28

Easy, difficult, and behaviorally inhibited (slow to warm up).

Question 29

How does temperament impact attachment?

Answer 29

Directly; temperament influences how children form attachments.

Question 30

What is the goodness of fit concept?

Answer 30

The degree to which a temperament matches environmental demands and expectations.

Question 31

What happens with a poor goodness of fit?

Answer 31

Challenges and difficulties arise in behavior and attachment.

Question 32

How does inhibited temperament interact with parenting?

Answer 32

Children slow to warm up and less regulated by others; inhibited temperament tends to be more stable over time.

Question 33

Are difficult temperament children stable over time?

Answer 33

Less stable; many grow out of it.

Question 34

What are protective factors and processes?

Answer 34

Factors that mitigate risk by reducing stress, creating growth opportunities, or strengthening coping.

Question 35

What are child protective factors?

Answer 35

Good health, easy temperament, above average intelligence, hobbies, good peer relationships, sports participation, attractiveness.

Question 36

What are parental/family protective factors?

Answer 36

Secure attachment, parental support during stress, household structure and rules, extended family support, stable parental relationships, parental modeling of coping skills, prosocial expectations, high parental education.

Question 37

What are social/environmental protective factors?

Answer 37

Middle class SES, access to healthcare, parental employment, adequate housing, religious faith, good schools, supportive adults outside family.

Question 38

What are child-based risk factors?

Answer 38

Mental retardation, chronic illness, biological causes (75% of severe disorders start in first 6 months pregnancy), difficult temperament, prematurity, toxin exposure in utero, low IQ, antisocial peer groups.

Question 39

What are parental risk factors?

Answer 39

High conflict, harsh parenting, poor monitoring, inconsistent discipline, maltreatment, PTSD, abuse, foster care disruptions, family violence, parental psychopathology or substance abuse, maternal depression, insecure attachment, single parenting.

Question 40

What are community and societal risk factors?

Answer 40

Poverty, teen pregnancy, single parenting, homelessness, racism, media violence, poor medical access, toxin exposure.

Question 41

When is coping ability compromised?

Answer 41

When the child cannot mobilize adequate coping strategies, caregivers can’t reduce stress, acute stressors combine with ongoing risks, failures in coping become expected, or child faces multiple risk factors over time.

Question 42

What must early intervention include?

Answer 42

Time and longevity, intensity, direct intervention, and comprehensiveness.

Question 43

What are the three parenting styles Baumrind identified?

Answer 43

Permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative.

Question 44

What characterizes permissive parenting?

Answer 44

Parents explain decisions and include the child in discussions about rules and punishments. They make few demands and expect little contribution from the child. The child is allowed to do as they wish, and parents rely on reason rather than power to control behavior.

Question 45

What are common outcomes for children with permissive parents?

Answer 45

Poor emotional regulation, defiance when desires are challenged, antisocial behaviors, and difficulties with peers and others.

Question 46

What characterizes authoritarian parenting?

Answer 46

Parents emphasize obedience and use strong means to shape behavior. They do not encourage verbal discussion of rules. Children are expected to respect authority and follow rules without argument.

Question 47

What are common outcomes for children with authoritarian parents?

Answer 47

Anxious, unhappy disposition, poor frustration tolerance, poor school performance, but less involvement in antisocial activities like drugs or gangs.

Question 48

What characterizes authoritative parenting?

Answer 48

Parents direct children rationally, encourage discussion, explain decisions, allow self-expression within boundaries, set and enforce standards for conduct. Parents control decisions but consider the child’s needs.

Question 49

What are common outcomes for children with authoritative parents?

Answer 49

Children are lively, happy, self-confident, able to regulate emotions, have strong social skills, and are more accepting of others’ differences.