Nature vs. Nurture
What does the “nature vs. nurture” debate focus on?
What is whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) plays a greater role in behavior and mental health
What are neurotransmitters?
What are chemical messengers in the brain that affect mood, thoughts, and behavior
Which early psychologist is known for exploring the unconscious mind and its role in mental illness?
Who is Sigmund Freud
Living in a violent neighborhood may negatively affect a child’s mental health. This is an example of what type of factor?
What is a social or environmental factor
True or False: Genetics and environment often interact to influence the development of mental illness.
What is True
Name one mental disorder linked to neurotransmitter imbalances.
What is depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
A person who constantly thinks negatively about themselves is more at risk for depression. This is an example of what kind of factor?
What is a psychological factor
What’s a risk factor commonly associated with substance use disorders?
What is a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposure (e.g., stress or peer influence)
A person develops anxiety after growing up in a high-stress, unstable household. This illustrates which side of the debate?
What is nurture
What does it mean when a gene is “turned on” or “off”?
What is gene expression influenced by internal or external factors
According to Freud, what drives much of human behavior and mental conflict?
What are unconscious desires and early childhood experiences
True or False: Environmental stress can activate genes related to addiction.
What is True
What model explains how genetic vulnerability combined with stress can lead to mental disorders?
What is the Diathesis-Stress Model
When multiple genes contribute to the risk of developing a mental disorder, what is this called?
What is a polygenic risk
A student who performs poorly on math tests after repeatedly failing and now believes they can’t improve might be showing what type of learned behavior?
What is learned helplessness
A teen with a strong support system and access to counseling is less likely to develop depression. This is an example of what?
What is a protective factor
Schizophrenia is often used as an example in the nature vs. nurture debate. Why?
Because it’s influenced by both genetic predispositions and environmental factors like stress or trauma.
Explain the concept of epigenetics and how it connects biology and environment.
Epigenetics studies how experiences and the environment can modify gene expression without changing the DNA itself, showing how nurture can influence nature.
What term describes the mental energy Freud believed powers our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors?
What is psychic energy
“Your diathesis can show up in different ways.” What does this mean in terms of vulnerability and disorder development?
It means a genetic predisposition may result in different mental disorders depending on environmental factors like stress, trauma, or support systems.