Differences in Environmental Influences: Diathesis Stress & Differential Susceptibility

Conclusion

- Both nature and nurture work together to shape individuals - Two theories have shown that Individual differences sensitivity to environmental experiences: Diathesis Stress Model, Differential Susceptibility Theory

Motivational value and Motivational salience

- Motivational Value: When neurons encode for seeking, evaluating, and value learning. - Motivational Salience: When neurons encode for orientation, cognition, and general motivation.

Genes & Environment Influence Each Other

- Our genetic vulnerability may increase our chances of experiencing stress - "Niche-picking": Genes which may lead us to select certain environments

Resilience

- Resilience is thought of as a factor in protecting and promoting: Normative development under adverse circumstances. - Individual differences in the ability to deal with the ups and downs of life results in heterogeneity of development. - Different factors that affect resilience include both environmental and biological differences such as self-efficacy, temperament, social competence, positive early parent-child relationships.

Development: Nature and Nurture

- Some traits are fixed and influenced by our genetic endowment. Others are liable to change with environmental experience. - Each individual is influenced by both biological and environmental aspects of development

Implications for Prevention

- The effects of preventive interventions may vary based upon: Family environments, Genetic factors - Recent research examines genetic influence impacting an intervention's effects on adolescent development, within a DST framework

Issues with Diathesis Stress

1. Based on evolutionary theory: a. Genes should not just convey risk 2. Theory only explains adverse environmental contexts

Issues with Differential Susceptibility

1.The absence of adversity does not necessitate an enriching environment 2. Researchers need to measure equivalent enriching and adverse environmental contexts a. Enriching and adverse contexts are not mutually exclusive

Dopamine System (DRD4 gene)

DRD4 gene linked to variability in dopamine production that significantly impacts the dopaminergic network. • DRD4 sensitive variant (7+) is associated with decreased ligand binding, reduced DRD4 expression, and less concentration-dependent inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels

Dopamine System

Dopaminergic network shapes how individuals react to stimuli in two major ways: Motivational value and Motivational salience

Diathesis-Stress Model

Individuals are predisposed towards particular behavioral traits. • Due to genetic differences which may become "triggered" during times of stress • Adverse environments may impact us more or less depending on our genetic inheritance

Differential Susceptibility Theory

Individuals are sensitive to their environment context • More "plastic" or malleable individuals are more susceptible to environmental influences • "For-better-and-for-worse" Sensitivity to adverse environmental contexts is associated with negative outcomes. Sensitivity to enriching environmental contexts is associated with enhanced outcomes. Less sensitivite individuals are less affected by both adverse and enriching contexts.

Issues with Resilience

Resilience is defined by two characteristics: 1. Exposure to significant threat or severe adversity 2. The achievement of positive adaptation despite major assaults on the developmental process What are the main issue? • Ambiguities in definition of the type of risk experienced • Ambiguities in what needs to be achieved to be viewed as resilient Solutions? Better understanding of processes affecting at-risk individuals