Question 1

A mother's use of illegal drugs,but not legal drugs,poses serious risks to the unborn child.

Accepted Answer

Both illegal and legal drugs can pose serious risks to the unborn child depending on the substance, the amount, and the timing during pregnancy. Legal drugs, including prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, can also have harmful effects on fetal development if not used under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Question 2

Humans possess a novelty-seeking gene that affects the production of the brain chemical dopamine,which makes some people more prone to seek out novel situations and to take risks.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The gene is called DRD4 and has been linked to sensation-seeking behavior and risk-taking. It can influence the amount of dopamine released in response to certain stimuli, leading some individuals to seek out new and exciting experiences.

Question 3

Increasing evidence suggests that ingestion of even small amounts of alcohol and nicotine by a pregnant mother can disrupt the development of the fetus.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that consuming alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy can cause a range of harmful effects on fetal development, including low birth weight, cognitive and behavioral problems, and even physical malformations. It is therefore recommended that pregnant women avoid these substances entirely.

Question 4

The brain becomes sophisticated during the fetal stage,and the neurons become coated with an insulating material called myelin that helps speed the transmission of messages from the brain to the rest of the body.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Myelin helps increase the speed and efficiency of neural communication within the body.

Question 5

Intelligence is a central human characteristic that differentiates humans from other species,and genetics plays a significant role in intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that genetics plays a significant role in determining a person's intelligence, although environmental factors also have an impact. Intelligence is a complex trait that involves multiple genes and their interactions.

Question 6

The IQ scores of dizygotic twins become increasingly similar over the course of time.

Accepted Answer

Dizygotic (fraternal) twins share only about 50% of their genetic material, so their IQ scores are not expected to become increasingly similar over time. However, the IQ scores of monozygotic (identical) twins, who share 100% of their genetic material, do tend to become more similar over time.

Question 7

A genetically-driven temperament of a child may also evoke environmental influences.For example,a child who learns songs easily and sings frequently around the house may prompt a parent to give the child music lessons.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. A child's innate traits may lead to behaviors or interests that in turn influence their environment and experiences. In this case, a child's musical aptitude may lead parents to provide opportunities for musical development.

Question 8

Inherited genetic factors,environmental influences,structural abnormalities,and chemical imbalances are all factors that contribute to a person developing schizophrenia.

Accepted Answer

All of these factors have been shown to play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Inherited genetic factors have been particularly strongly implicated, as studies have shown that individuals with a family history of schizophrenia are at higher risk for developing the disorder. Environmental influences, such as socio-economic status and exposure to stress and trauma, have also been linked to increased risk. Structural abnormalities in the brain and chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters have also been associated with schizophrenia.

Question 9

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that runs in families,with some families showing a significantly higher incidence than other families.

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia has a genetic component and is known to run in families, with some families having a higher incidence of the disorder than others. However, environmental factors also play a role in its development.

Question 10

Researchers believe that political attitudes,religious interests,values,and attitudes toward human sexuality do not have genetic components.

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have shown that certain genetic factors may contribute to differences in political attitudes, religious interests, values, and attitudes toward human sexuality. However, it is important to note that these genetic factors are not the only determinant and environmental factors also play a significant role.

Question 11

Research indicates that fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)is now the primary preventable cause of mental retardation.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have shown that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disability in the Western world. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 100 live births is affected by FAS, and this number may be even higher in certain communities or populations. FAS can cause a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments, which can have lifelong consequences for affected individuals and their families. The good news is that FAS is entirely preventable if pregnant women abstain from alcohol consumption. Education and awareness-raising efforts are essential to reducing the incidence of FAS and improving the health outcomes of children and young adults who are affected by this condition.

Question 12

Researcher Jerome Kagan suggests that Chinese children enter the world temperamentally calmer,and therefore Buddhist philosophical notions of serenity are more in tune with their natural inclinations.

Accepted Answer

Kagan's research did suggest that Chinese children tended to be temperamentally more calm than their Western counterparts, and that this may contribute to why Buddhist philosophical notions of serenity may be more culturally resonant in China.

Question 13

Human characteristics and behavior are a joint outcome of genetic and environmental factors.

Accepted Answer

Human characteristics and behavior are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, which means that both nature and nurture contribute to our development. However, the exact balance between these two factors may vary depending on the specific trait or behavior being studied.

Question 14

Developmental psychologist Sandra Scarr suggests that society should be asking what can be done to maximize the intellectual potential of every individual.

Accepted Answer

Sandra Scarr, a renowned developmental psychologist, suggests that society should focus on maximizing the intellectual potential of every individual.

Quiz 2: The Start of Life: Prenatal Development