Exam 2
Reflect upon the Episode 3 “Secret Life of the Brain” Explain in detail the class theme “Experience + Perspective = Behavior.” Use Edward Coleman as your example.
The episode is based on the teenage brain. We learn that the last great time for brain development is in this stage. Growth is usually focused on the areas that make us unique in our own kind of way. The teenage brain is undergoing maturation. In the process of development, it is faced with unique risks of being addicted to drugs. Such an unfortunate case is that of Edward Coleman, who became a drug addict. Coleman started with marijuana, which quickly advanced to him becoming a hardened cocaine addict. Researchers strive to understand the brain of an addict in the effort to find a solution to addiction. Scans show that the brain of an addict had been altered to drive the hunger for addiction. Edward Coleman discovers a solution to his drug problem, where he has replaced his addiction by using the relaxant Baclofen, which helped his brain block from thinking that it needs drugs. It overrode the craving for cocaine. The researchers aim to help those with addictions stop automatic responses to drugs and recruit the brain to diminish those feelings.
Why is the Limbic system so important?
Define and Explain.
The limbic system is a network of structures usually found under the cerebral cortex, with the amygdala being the most vital part. It is a very important system as it controls our motivation, self -preservation and emotional behaviors.
Define Craving.
According to doctor Anna Rose Childress defines craving as what can push people to do something that they never imagined they would do. They cross their rules, their own values, and put the relationship with others, their jobs in jeopardy just to consume something.
By age 2, a child’s brain weighs 75 percent of its adult weight. True or False
True
What are the Effects of Chronic Malnutrition?
It begins with reduced tissue mass and reduced muscle, which results in decreased mobility due to muscle wasting. The patient then suffers difficulty in breathing, increased chances of respiratory failure and chest infections. Their immune system is slowed down, which results in increased chances of getting infections and increased time to recover from infections. The chances of hypothermia is increased since they have less muscle tissue. They also suffer from fertility and libido problems.
What is the impact of resilience and stress in middle Childhood? Think in terms of good and bad stress.
Middle childhood lasts from the age of 7-12 years. At these ages, the child undergoes so many changes. Some of those changes may include growing taller and becoming better at solving problems. The changes that are part of the development and those that come with the unique environment of a child can cause stress to a child. Resilience helps the child cope with stressful times. It helps the child self-adjustment in the face of life stress.
Explain according to Ep. 3 “Secret Life of the Brain” the genetic explanation given in the study presented regarding alcohol and who is most at risk of becoming an Alcoholic.
The episode explains that people inherit the genes that usually impact how different an individual’s brain function when it comes to alcohol. Some individuals are vulnerable to becoming alcoholics because of their genes. Some will consume very little and feel a significant impact in their brain, while others will consume a lot of it and feel little to no impact at all. The low response to alcohol has been linked to a high risk of alcoholism regardless of the individual’s family history. However, when one has a low response to alcohol and a family history of alcoholism, the risk is huge on being an alcoholic.
Explain the difference between guilt and shame according to the text. Then explain and define self-concept.
Guilt is the feeling of remorse or responsibility an individual feels for an offense imagined or real. Shame can be defined as a painful feeling that arises from something improper and dishonorable by oneself or another person. Shame is the painful feeling that arises from the consciousness of doing something dishonorable, ridiculous, or improper to another or oneself. Self-concept is the term that is used to show how an individual perceives themselves. It revolves around individuals’ beliefs about themselves, including the individual attributes on who and what self is.
What role does poverty play in learning and development?
Poverty has been seen to reduce a child’s readiness to learn since it results in poor physical health and motor skills that make a child’s ability to concentrate and remember to diminish. It also reduces the child’s motivation, curiosity and attentiveness. Poverty is also seen to negatively impact children’s emotional and cognitive development because of their families’ strains resulting in mental health and relationship.
Explain learning disorder.
A learning disorder is a neurological disorder that results in information processing problems, which usually prevents an individual from learning effectively. The disorder results in gaps between the expected skills based on the individual’s age and intelligence and it shows in their academic performance. Learning disorders usually affect the person’s ability in written expression, reading, non-verbal skills and math.
What is the Limbic system?
The limbic system is part of the brain that is usually tasked with our behavioral and emotional responses. It is where the subcortical structures meet with the cerebral cortex. These structures are involved in memory, learning, emotion and motivation.
What are the Benefits of Adolescent Brain Development found in Ch 14?
The adolescent brain comes with benefits like increased amounts of dopamine, which promotes pleasurable experiences. It also has increased myelination that reduces reaction time. Their brains have synaptic growth, resulting in enhanced moral development and increasing their chances of new ideas and experiences.
Explain Puberty in both boys and girls.
Puberty is the time that is between the surge of hormones and full adult development. It takes approximately three to five years. Boys experience spermarche while girls go through menarche. At this stage, the girl experiences her first menstrual period, which signals that she has begun ovulation. The boy, on the other hand, gets his first ejaculation, which signals sperm production. Puberty usually starts with the hormonal signal from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland. The pituitary glands then signal the adrenal glands and the testes or ovaries to produce the necessary hormone. The surge of hormones usually affects their brains, bodies and their behavior. At this point, there are visible signs of Puberty on their bodies.
Explain the Sociocultural theory.
It describes human learning as a social process and the origin of human intelligence in culture and the society an individual is in. Social interactions play a significant role in the development of cognition. It stresses the importance of culture. Children usually get their cultural beliefs, values and problem-solving strategies through collaborative dialogues with knowledgeable society members.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding according to the text and course material?
Breastfeeding comes with many benefits. The main benefits being that the child enjoys superior nutrition, increased resistance to infections and a substantial decrease in lactose intolerance and allergies.
Define the Pre-Frontal Cortex.
The pre-frontal cortex is the gray matter con the anterior part of the frontal lobe. It is part of the brain that regulates complex emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functions. It is also involved in planning, proper social behavior and personality.
How can families help their children function during Middle age childhood?
Researchers have found that physical activity through the middle age childhood usually plays a significant role in instilling self-confidence and facilitate learning. It also helps develop the child’s sense of responsibility by asking them to help out with simple household chores. It is also important to talk to your child about things like friends, school and the things they look forward to in the future. They must learn to respect others. Affection is critical at this age. The family could help the child set their own achievable goals. That way, they learn to take pride in themselves and not rely on other people’s approval. Recognize their accomplishments. Discipline should be used to guide and protect the child.
What is a major health risk found in Middle Childhood?
Explain in detail.
Middle childhood is a time when fatal diseases are rare. Environmental and genetic factors safeguard them. However, it is at this age that lifetime health habits begin to be formed. Research has shown 18% of the children at this stage in the United States are obese. It is because some of these children eat too much and barely exercise. The pester power they have contributes to weight gain. It has also been found that childhood overweight correlates with high blood pressure, asthma and elevated cholesterol.
Baumrind’s Styles of Caregiving is detailed in h. Ch. 10 lists the parenting styles and define each of them below.
In his research, Baumrind discovered that parenting skills differed in four different dimensions. They are strategies of discipline, expressions of love, communication and expectations of maturity. He explained them in the following parenting styles;
Permissive parenting where the parent has high nurturance and communication. However, there is little guidance and discipline.
Authoritative parenting involves parents who set limits and enforces them.
Authoritarian parenting is a style that has parents with high behavioral standards, little communication and strict punishment for misconduct.
Neglectful parenting is the style that parents are indifferent towards their children and are usually unaware of what is going on in their lives.
Define Cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is the posting, sending or sharing malicious, harmful, mean content about someone else. It may be by sharing private or personal information on someone, which causes humiliation. It causes great psychological and emotional distress to the victim. It can be summarized as willingly and repeated harm through the use of electronic devices.
What harm can come from sexting in the adolescent years of development?
Sexting is the exchange of sexual content through technology. Studies have shown a potential emotional impact on adolescents. It is seen to trigger emotions that is related to activation in girls and boys. Those sexting run the risk of ruined images. His is one of the triggers of high distress levels, resulting in unhealthy coping mechanisms like isolating themselves, self-harming and restricted diet. It could also lead to increased anxiety levels, which may result in depression.
Define Identity according to text.
The text definition of Identity is the consistent definition of oneself as an individual who is unique in terms of their attitudes, beliefs, roles and aspirations.
Why can drug use be so harmful to teenage brain development?
It is during teenage that the brain goes through enormous changes. At this stage, the brain’s pre-frontal cortex matures to help in plans and highly abstract areas like self-control, responsibility, and morality. With the part of the brain responsible for making reasonable judgment still in development, the teenager faces unique risks from alcohol and drugs that can hijack the brain and make them drug addicts.