🤔 Developing as a Learner
In utero, the brain grows...
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What is the difference between convergent and divergent play?
Convergent play has one correct answer
Divergent play has many potential outcomes
What is the cognitive triad?
Negative thoughts about the self, the world and the future
What research method was used in Nichols (1996)?
Field experiment
What is Miss Ivka's and Mr Shields' go-to lunch if they didn't pack anything from home?
Banh mi
In Chugani (1999), how was brain development measured?
Using PET scans (glucose metabolism – more glucose metabolism = more activity)
List 5 risk factors of poverty.
Stress over meeting basic needs of food, shelter, and safety
Malnutrition
Substance abuse in the community
Exposure to environmental toxins
Trauma caused by insecurity in their community and a lack of safety
Higher than average levels of physical and sexual abuse
Lack of educational opportunities
Discrimination
Less stimulation in the environment
What is the serotonin hypothesis?
It argues that a reduction in serotonin leads to an increased predisposition to depression
When conducting research on children, do the children give consent? Why/why not?
No - they give assent (agreement) - consent can only be given by adults (guardians)
What did Miss Ivka and Mr Shields have for lunch on Wednesday? (hint - it was the same thing)
Curry
Describe Baillargeon in the context of the relevant developmental theory
Key milestone for Piaget's sensorimotor stage: object permanence (understanding objects still exist when out of sight)
Tested by Baillargeon through the 'impossible' and 'possible' task. If children stared at the 'impossible' task for a long time, they understood it was 'impossible' and therefore understood object permanence.
Describe the APRC of Pollitt et al (1995)
Aim: To examine the effects of protein on child development in impoverished communities.
Procedure: 8-year study in Guatemalan villages comparing Atole (high-protein) vs. Fresco (low-protein) supplements for mothers and children.
Results: Atole group had lower infant mortality and better cognitive outcomes in follow-up testing 11 years later.
Conclusion: Early nutritional intervention improves long-term cognitive performance, especially in low-SES children.
What is length of the 5-HTT gene correlated with? (the answer is not MDD)
A longer gene = increased functioning of serotonin
A shorter gene = poor functioning of serotonin
Imagine you are writing a Discuss ERQ for ethics of the etiologies of MDD. Explain two relevant points related to this.
Many responses accepted e.g.
Ethical considerations limit our ability to study people living with disorders (e.g. consent of vulnerable populations).
There is also the consideration of stigma - labeling someone's thinking as "irrational" may lead to a sense of shame.
Anonymity of an individual's mental health data.
What does Miss Ivka heat up in the office that Mr Shields hates?
Salmon
According to Vykgotsky, what are the 4 elementary mental functions?
Attention, sensation, perception and memory
According to the slides, what are 5 characteristics of play?
Pleasurable, Symbolic, Active, Voluntary, Self-motivating
What was the exact sample number and description in Caspi (2003)?
847 New Zealand 26-year-olds with pre-existing mental health assessments
What are 5 symptoms of MDD according to the DSM 5?
Depressed mood
Diminished interest or pleasure
Significant weight changes or appetite changes
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Psychomotor agitation
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Diminished ability to think, concentrate or make decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death/ideation of death
What did Miss Ivka and Mr Shields have for breakfast this morning? (hint - it was not the same thing)
Mr Shields - a coffee
Miss Ivka - toast
Imagine you are writing a Contrast ERQ for Piaget and Vygotsky. What are two key differences that your essay would focus on?
1. Stage theory (Piaget) VS continuous theory (Vygotsky)
2. Cognitive development occurs alongside biological maturation (Piaget) VS alongside appropriate social and environmental support (Vygtosky)
OR
3. Universal model of development (Piaget) VS dependent on environment (Vygotsky)
According to Werner & Smith (2001), what are the 5 protective factors that made children more resilient?
1. a close bond with one competent person who was sensitive to their needs (established early in childhood)
2. continuing education at community colleges
3. vocational skills acquired during service in the armed forces
4. marriage to a stable partner
5. conversion to a religion that demanded active participation
Describe the APRC of Joiner et al. (1999)
Aim: to investigate the effects of dysfunctional thinking patterns on the development of depressive symptoms.
Procedure:
119 American university students enrolled in abnormal psychology – mean 19yrs
Observed mid-term exams as the stressor, natural experiment – exam naturally occurring in university setting
Assessed two weeks before and two weeks after on several tests:
The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale [DAS]: thinking patterns such as vulnerability, the need for approval, perfectionism, and the need to impress – only BEFORE the exam
The Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]: standardised assessment for depressive symptoms
Results:
High DAS score with failed exam showed BDI increases
High DAS score with passed exam showed no significant increase in their BDI scores
Low DAS score with low grade – no depressive reactions
Conclusion: dysfunctional thinking patterns play a significant role in the development of depressive symptoms however, only in the presence of a stressor (failed exam)
Describe the APRC of Parker, Cheah & Roy (2001).
Aim: to investigate depressed Chinese patients in Malaysia and Caucasian patients in Australia in their expression of depressive symptoms and treatment preferences
Procedure:
50 Malaysian participants of Chinese heritage and 50 Australian participants of Caucasian, Western heritage – all MDD diagnosis
Symptom questionnaire – (1) a set of mood and cognitive items common in Western diagnostic tools for depression and (2) a set of somatic symptoms commonly observed by Singaporean psychiatrists
Results:
Symptom that led to seeking help - 60% of the Chinese participants identified a somatic symptom, compared to only 13% of the Australian participants
Top three Australian symptoms – anxiety, depressed mood, worried
Bottom Australian symptoms – loss of energy, fatigue
Top three Malaysian symptoms – health problem, insomnia, concentration
Bottom Malaysian symptoms – anger, self-value dropped
Anxiety – 28 and ranked 1 in Australia, 12 and ranked 8 in Malaysia
Conclusion: the role of culture is evident here, in Western culture, it is more appropriate to discuss one's emotions, and depression is seen as linked to a lack of emotional well-being; whereas in Chinese culture, it is less appropriate and likely stigmatized if one speaks about a lack of emotional health.
What 3 items will be in Mr Shields' and Miss Ivka's bellies in approximately 3 hours? (hint - x1 food x2 drinks)
Hot chippies, beer and sparkling wine