Key studies and the nature–nurture debate

Overview

Caspi's study of a serotonin transporter gene and stressful life events, Young's study of internet addiction, and the interactionist view of mental health.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What was the aim of Caspi et al. (2003)?

   Model answer

   Caspi and colleagues aimed to find out whether a serotonin transporter gene variant makes depression after stressful life events more likely. The study tested an interaction between genes and environment.

2. 2

   What was the procedure of Caspi et al. (2003)?

   Model answer

   The researchers studied a large group of young adults in New Zealand who had been followed since birth. The participants' genes were tested, and their stressful life events and depression in early adulthood were recorded.

3. 3

   What did Caspi et al. (2003) find?

   Model answer

   People with a short version of the serotonin transporter gene were more likely to become depressed after several stressful events. People with two long versions were less affected by stress.

4. 4

   What did Caspi et al. (2003) conclude?

   Model answer

   Caspi et al. concluded that depression results from an interaction between genes and life stress. The gene alone did not cause depression.

5. 5

   What are the strengths of Caspi et al. (2003)?

   Model answer

   The study was longitudinal and used a large sample followed over many years. The study showed how nature and nurture work together.

6. 6

   What are the weaknesses of Caspi et al. (2003)?

   Model answer

   Stressful life events were self-reported, so memories may be inaccurate. The sample came from one country, so the findings may not generalise.

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