Question 1

Which model suggests that individuals with genetic risks for disorders or maladaptive behaviors are most sensitive to environmental risk for those disorders?
A) Diathesis-stress model
B) Genetic drift
C) Natural selection
D) Mendelian disorder

Accepted Answer

The diathesis-stress model suggests that individuals have different vulnerabilities (diatheses) to the development of disorders, which can be triggered or exacerbated by stressful environmental factors. This model integrates genetic predisposition and environmental influences in the explanation of psychological disorders.

Question 2

The cell to society approach of this text is consistent with all but which model?
A) Nature and nurture
B) Biosocial
C) Individual-environment interplay
D) Nature or nurture

Accepted Answer

The "cell to society" approach emphasizes the interaction between biological factors and environmental influences, aligning with models that consider both nature and nurture (A), the biosocial model (B), and the individual-environment interplay (C). The "Nature or nurture" model (D) suggests a dichotomy, not an interaction, which contradicts the integrative perspective of the "cell to society" approach.

Question 3

In behavioral genetics, which concept captures the role of genetic factors as a causal force for behavior?
A) Shared environment
B) Heritability
C) Nonshared environment
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Heritability refers to the proportion of variation in a trait among individuals in a population that can be attributed to genetic differences. It captures the role of genetic factors as a causal force for behavior.

Question 4

In behavioral genetics, which concept relates to unique circumstances, such as friendship networks of twins?
A) Shared environment
B) Heritability
C) Nonshared environment
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The concept of nonshared environment in behavioral genetics refers to the unique experiences and circumstances, such as friendship networks, that contribute to differences among individuals, even among twins who share the same genetic makeup and family environment.

Question 5

Many early-life family behaviors have been shown to influence behavior and moderate genetic factors. Parenting and other early-life home factors are consistent with which concept from behavioral genetics research?
A) Heritability
B) Shared environment
C) Nonshared environment
D) Parental socialization

Accepted Answer

Shared environment refers to the environmental factors that are experienced by all relevant members of a household, such as parenting style and family dynamics, which can influence behavior and moderate genetic factors.

Question 6

Multifactorial phenotypes are composed of all but which?
A) Genetic relatedness
B) Genes
C) Environments
D) The interaction of genes and environments

Accepted Answer

Multifactorial phenotypes are influenced by genes, environments, and the interaction between genes and environments. Genetic relatedness is not a component of a phenotype but rather a measure of how genetically similar individuals are to each other.

Question 7

Which concept conveys the notion that despite the effects of natural selection, a considerable amount of genetic evolution is random?
A) Central dogma of molecular biology
B) RNA
C) Mendelian disorder
D) Genetic drift

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift is the concept that describes how random events can cause changes in the frequency of alleles within a population, leading to evolution that is not driven by natural selection.

Question 8

Which concept relates to the idea that individual genes affect multiple phenotypes?
A) Pleiotropy
B) Polygeny
C) Multifactorial
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Pleiotropy refers to the genetic effect where a single gene influences multiple phenotypic traits, which is the concept described in the question.

Question 9

Which describes genes that have different variants or forms?
A) Pleiotropy
B) Genetic polymorphism
C) Variance
D) Variation

Accepted Answer

Genetic polymorphism refers to the existence of two or more distinct alleles at a given locus in a population's chromosome, indicating the presence of different variants or forms of a gene.

Question 10

The first research to directly link a measured gene to a personality trait centered on which personality construct?
A) Extraversion
B) Introversion
C) Conscientiousness
D) Novelty seeking

Accepted Answer

The first research to directly link a measured gene to a personality trait focused on the personality construct of novelty seeking. This research identified a connection between variations in the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) and the tendency towards novelty seeking behavior.

Question 11

John Wright and colleagues examined the effects of prenatal and infant exposure to lead and its effects on behavior during adulthood. They found that higher levels of fetal and infant lead exposure were associated with higher levels of criminal activity and violent arrests during adulthood, even when they controlled for important correlates of offending, such as demographic characteristics of the mother and child. Which is a reason for the prospective link between lead exposure and crime?
A) Lead causes cancer
B) Lead reduces MAOA activity and interferes with synapse formation
C) Lead directly causes aggression
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Lead exposure is known to reduce monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) activity and interfere with synapse formation in the brain, which can affect behavior and impulse control, potentially leading to increased criminal activity.

Question 12

Which has been referred to as the warrior gene because of its association with various forms of aggression and antisocial behavior?
A) DRD2
B) DRD4
C) MAOA
D) 5-HTTLPR

Accepted Answer

The MAOA gene, often referred to as the "warrior gene," has been associated with various forms of aggression and antisocial behavior due to its role in the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Question 13

The COMT gene is important for clinical social workers for which reason?
A) It is directly related to how well an individual follows through with treatment
B) It is the direct cause of personality
C) It is an enzyme that modulates dopamine levels in the brain that are involved in executive functioning
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The COMT gene encodes for the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase, which is involved in the degradation of catecholamines such as dopamine. Variations in this gene can affect dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, influencing cognitive functions and potentially impacting behaviors related to executive functioning. This is relevant for clinical social workers as it can affect an individual's behavior and response to interventions.

Question 14

Which conditions are in part caused by genetic polymorphisms?
A) Autism
B) ADHD
C) Schizophrenia
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Genetic polymorphisms have been implicated in the development of autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia, suggesting a genetic component in these conditions.

Question 15

Gene-environment interplay can be seen in which life stages?
A) Fetal environment and infancy
B) Childhood
C) Adolescence
D) Adulthood
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Gene-environment interplay affects individuals throughout all stages of life, from the fetal environment and infancy, through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. Each stage has unique interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental influences.

Question 16

Most human behaviors are the outcome of Mendelian disorders.

Accepted Answer

Most human behaviors are complex traits influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, rather than being directly caused by Mendelian disorders, which are typically the result of alterations in a single gene.

Question 17

There is extensive evidence that prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs contributes to neural dysfunction.

Accepted Answer

Prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs can interfere with the development of the fetal brain, leading to a range of cognitive, behavioral, and neurological disorders, collectively known as neurodevelopmental disorders.

Question 18

It is likely that criminologists will find a single gene that causes crime.

Accepted Answer

Criminal behavior is complex and influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors, making it unlikely that a single gene could be identified as the cause of crime.

Question 19

Social work professionals deal with genetics each day indirectly by responding to the traits, behaviors, and conditions of their clients.

Accepted Answer

Social work professionals often address issues that have genetic components, such as mental health disorders, addiction, and certain medical conditions, by providing support and interventions tailored to their clients' needs.

Question 20

Social workers are powerless to change antisocial behavior because the behavior is genetically caused.

Accepted Answer

Social workers can employ various strategies and interventions to address and modify antisocial behavior, which can be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors.

Quiz 2: Genes and Behavior

Which model suggests that individuals with genetic risks for disorders or maladaptive behaviors are most sensitive to environmental risk for those disorders?

The cell to society approach of this text is consistent with all but which model?

In behavioral genetics, which concept captures the role of genetic factors as a causal force for behavior?

In behavioral genetics, which concept relates to unique circumstances, such as friendship networks of twins?

Many early-life family behaviors have been shown to influence behavior and moderate genetic factors. Parenting and other early-life home factors are consistent with which concept from behavioral genetics research?

Multifactorial phenotypes are composed of all but which?

Which concept conveys the notion that despite the effects of natural selection, a considerable amount of genetic evolution is random?

Which concept relates to the idea that individual genes affect multiple phenotypes?

Which describes genes that have different variants or forms?

The first research to directly link a measured gene to a personality trait centered on which personality construct?

Which has been referred to as the warrior gene because of its association with various forms of aggression and antisocial behavior?

The COMT gene is important for clinical social workers for which reason?

Which conditions are in part caused by genetic polymorphisms?

Gene-environment interplay can be seen in which life stages?

Most human behaviors are the outcome of Mendelian disorders.

There is extensive evidence that prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs contributes to neural dysfunction.

It is likely that criminologists will find a single gene that causes crime.

Social work professionals deal with genetics each day indirectly by responding to the traits, behaviors, and conditions of their clients.

Social workers are powerless to change antisocial behavior because the behavior is genetically caused.