PSYCH 2AP3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14.3: Reuptake, Amygdala, Cortisol

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH 2AP3
• Professor: Richard B Day

Document Summary

Restrictive, repetitive patterns of behaviour / interest / activities: Statistics: in recent years asd has shown an huge increase in prevalence. Male to female ration of 4. 5 to 1. Asd does not appear to have a single cause: a number of biological contributions may combine with psychological influences. Biological theories about the origins of asd have much empirical support. Many medical conditions have ben associated with it: ex: mothers exposed to the rubella virus. Genetics of asd are highly complex: various genes are involved. Families that have one child with asd have about a 20 percent chance of having another child with the disorder. One area that may be suspect is the genes responsible for the brain chemical oxytocin: oxytocin is shown to have a role in how we bond with others and in our social memory. Increased risk of having a child with asd among older parents.