1) In the powerpoint slides regarding genetics and parenting, it was discussed that the gene
fosB affects parenting. In a study done on mice, when the fosB alleles were disabled, the
mother mice ______________. This is an example of which approach in genetics?
a. were more nurturing / role of genetics in development
b. were less nurturing / population genetics
c. were more nurturing / population genetics.
d. were indifferent towards their offspring / population genetics
e. were less nurturing / role of genetics in development
E. is the correct response. As mentioned in the first biology powerpoint slides, when both fosB
alleles are disabled, mother mice ignored their young. This is an example of the developmental
approach, because this situation is based on lab-based experimental studies. It would not be an
example of population genetics, that approach focuses on the entire population and doesn’t
study detailed mechanisms that link the genotypes to the phenotypes.
2) The idea that free will is an illusion is a conclusion from which type of worldview?
a. Mechanistic
b. Organismic
c. Determinism
d. Holistic
e. Emergentism
A.is the correct answer. The mechanistic worldview supports the idea that free will is an
illusion. The mechanistic view understands that the whole can be understood by dividing it up
and analyzing its most basic parts. It has long been questioned whether free will is determined
by an outside force or do we have it ourselves? The mechanistic view sees humans as
“machines” who are working under some external force. Under this view, humans do not have
choices in the matter and the things we do are merely due to an outside force/stimuli. Due to
this belief, the mechanistic worldview does not believe in free will, or the ability for humans to
choose or make choices towards their future.
,3. The study of connectome is a modern approach to neuroscience that attempts to discover
the brain networks and how they are related to development. What specific result is directly
related to the discovery of autism within the brain?
a. Autism is a result of an overabundance of brain plasticity
b. Autism is a result of an over connection of brain networks
c. Autism is a result of cerebral localization
d. Autism is a result of a lack of gray matter in the brain
e. Autism is a result of an increased amount of brain tissue in the cerebellum
B. is the correct response. Those with ASD have been found to have overconnectivity
(hyperconnectivity) in the synapses in the brain, which result in memory and learning
differentiations. There are also some studies that have found an association between
hypoconnectivity (a decrease in synaptic connections in the brain in those diagnosed with ASD).
However, those with hyperconnected brain networks show a severe impairment in the social
aspects, which is a distinction in those with ASD. This was all discussed in the second week of
lectures.
4) Developmental processes such as fetal brain development are an example of
________________, while language development is an example of _______________.
a. Experience expectant; experience independent
b. Experience independent; experience dependent
c. Experience dependent; experience independent
d. Experience dependent; experience expectant
B. is the correct answer. Experience independent processes are developmental processes that
take place without outside influences. These types of processes are mostly driven by genes.
This is for instance true for the early stages of brain development. Experience dependent
processes are when neural connections are created and reorganized as individuals experience
life, such as language development. Experience expectant is driven by both genotypes and
phenotypes and includes normal wiring of the brain. Visual and hearing development would be
an example of experience expectant processes.
, 5) Which statement is correct about Piaget’s Theory?
a. The structure of intelligence changes as a child grows older
b. A child’s maturation influences their knowledge
c. It is about the hierarchy of needs
d. It is a social learning theory
e. It is related to behaviourism
Answer: (a) The structure of intelligence changes as a child grows. Piaget’s theory believes a
child does not only simply gain knowledge as they grow, but the child must form a mental
construction of the world around them. The way they construct that knowledge (the structure
of their understanding) is changing with each new stage in development.
6) In psychoanalysis, the three structures of personality are
a. Conscious, unconscious, and subconscious
b. Behaviour, emotion, ego
c. Behaviour, Emotion, Personality
d. Ego, Id, Superego
e. None of these are correct
Answer (d) The three structures of personality are Ego, Id, and Super Ego.
7) Why do children with Phenylketonuria (PKU) have to keep their phenylalanine intake at an
absolute minimum?
a) Phenylalanine will make them break out into a rash
b) Phenylalanine will cause nausea and vomiting
c) Phenylalanine is present in highly processed foods
d) Children with PKU cannot produce the liver enzymes necessary for the metabolism of
phenylalanine
e) Phenylalanine makes them feel tired and reduces their energy levels
fosB affects parenting. In a study done on mice, when the fosB alleles were disabled, the
mother mice ______________. This is an example of which approach in genetics?
a. were more nurturing / role of genetics in development
b. were less nurturing / population genetics
c. were more nurturing / population genetics.
d. were indifferent towards their offspring / population genetics
e. were less nurturing / role of genetics in development
E. is the correct response. As mentioned in the first biology powerpoint slides, when both fosB
alleles are disabled, mother mice ignored their young. This is an example of the developmental
approach, because this situation is based on lab-based experimental studies. It would not be an
example of population genetics, that approach focuses on the entire population and doesn’t
study detailed mechanisms that link the genotypes to the phenotypes.
2) The idea that free will is an illusion is a conclusion from which type of worldview?
a. Mechanistic
b. Organismic
c. Determinism
d. Holistic
e. Emergentism
A.is the correct answer. The mechanistic worldview supports the idea that free will is an
illusion. The mechanistic view understands that the whole can be understood by dividing it up
and analyzing its most basic parts. It has long been questioned whether free will is determined
by an outside force or do we have it ourselves? The mechanistic view sees humans as
“machines” who are working under some external force. Under this view, humans do not have
choices in the matter and the things we do are merely due to an outside force/stimuli. Due to
this belief, the mechanistic worldview does not believe in free will, or the ability for humans to
choose or make choices towards their future.
,3. The study of connectome is a modern approach to neuroscience that attempts to discover
the brain networks and how they are related to development. What specific result is directly
related to the discovery of autism within the brain?
a. Autism is a result of an overabundance of brain plasticity
b. Autism is a result of an over connection of brain networks
c. Autism is a result of cerebral localization
d. Autism is a result of a lack of gray matter in the brain
e. Autism is a result of an increased amount of brain tissue in the cerebellum
B. is the correct response. Those with ASD have been found to have overconnectivity
(hyperconnectivity) in the synapses in the brain, which result in memory and learning
differentiations. There are also some studies that have found an association between
hypoconnectivity (a decrease in synaptic connections in the brain in those diagnosed with ASD).
However, those with hyperconnected brain networks show a severe impairment in the social
aspects, which is a distinction in those with ASD. This was all discussed in the second week of
lectures.
4) Developmental processes such as fetal brain development are an example of
________________, while language development is an example of _______________.
a. Experience expectant; experience independent
b. Experience independent; experience dependent
c. Experience dependent; experience independent
d. Experience dependent; experience expectant
B. is the correct answer. Experience independent processes are developmental processes that
take place without outside influences. These types of processes are mostly driven by genes.
This is for instance true for the early stages of brain development. Experience dependent
processes are when neural connections are created and reorganized as individuals experience
life, such as language development. Experience expectant is driven by both genotypes and
phenotypes and includes normal wiring of the brain. Visual and hearing development would be
an example of experience expectant processes.
, 5) Which statement is correct about Piaget’s Theory?
a. The structure of intelligence changes as a child grows older
b. A child’s maturation influences their knowledge
c. It is about the hierarchy of needs
d. It is a social learning theory
e. It is related to behaviourism
Answer: (a) The structure of intelligence changes as a child grows. Piaget’s theory believes a
child does not only simply gain knowledge as they grow, but the child must form a mental
construction of the world around them. The way they construct that knowledge (the structure
of their understanding) is changing with each new stage in development.
6) In psychoanalysis, the three structures of personality are
a. Conscious, unconscious, and subconscious
b. Behaviour, emotion, ego
c. Behaviour, Emotion, Personality
d. Ego, Id, Superego
e. None of these are correct
Answer (d) The three structures of personality are Ego, Id, and Super Ego.
7) Why do children with Phenylketonuria (PKU) have to keep their phenylalanine intake at an
absolute minimum?
a) Phenylalanine will make them break out into a rash
b) Phenylalanine will cause nausea and vomiting
c) Phenylalanine is present in highly processed foods
d) Children with PKU cannot produce the liver enzymes necessary for the metabolism of
phenylalanine
e) Phenylalanine makes them feel tired and reduces their energy levels
