Marissa and Jessica, sisters born two years apart, grew up in an impoverished, violent neighborhood. As adults, Marissa is chronically jobless and is addicted to drugs while Jessica is a professor of economics at a community college. Which theory might explain their different life outcomes?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Differential sensitivity theory suggests that individuals may differ in their sensitivity to particular experiences or environments. Therefore, Marissa and Jessica could have had different responses to their impoverished and violent neighborhood due to their differential sensitivity. This theory could explain why Jessica was able to overcome the challenges of their neighborhood and achieve academic success, while Marissa struggled with addiction and joblessness. The other theories do not seem as relevant to explaining the sisters' disparate outcomes.

Marissa and Jessica, Sisters Born Two Years Apart, Grew Up