Friends Jill and Susan both experienced poverty as children. In addition, they were raised by single parents and attended poor-performing schools. By late adolescence, Jill had dropped out of school and had two children. Susan, in contrast, was academically ranked number one in her graduating class and had a full academic scholarship to Harvard. This example illustrates the concept of "differential sensitivity."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Differential sensitivity refers to the idea that individuals vary in their susceptibility to environmental factors and experiences, such as poverty and education. In this example, Jill and Susan had similar backgrounds and experiences, yet they had different outcomes due to differences in their sensitivity or response to those experiences. Susan was more resilient and able to thrive despite adversity, while Jill struggled and experienced negative outcomes.

Friends Jill and Susan Both Experienced Poverty as Children