Dr. Fox studies the causes of depression. In other words, she looks at factors that play a role in the ________ of depression.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, 'etiology.' Etiology specifically deals with the causes or origins of diseases like depression. Choice B, 'epidemiology,' focuses on the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. Choice C, 'prevalence,' refers to the proportion of a population found to have a condition. Choice D, 'resiliency,' relates to the ability to recover from or adjust to challenges.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is reinforcement. Reinforcement involves providing a consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. Operant conditioning (Choice A) refers to learning through consequences for behavior, which includes reinforcement and punishment. Classical conditioning (Choice C) involves forming associations between stimuli and involuntary responses. Punishment (Choice D) involves providing a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. In this context, the question specifically asks about a process that increases the probability of a behavior occurring, aligning with the concept of reinforcement.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland that mobilizes the body to deal with stress. It helps regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation, and assist in memory formulation. Choice A is incorrect as cortisol is not released by the hypothalamus and does not travel to the pituitary gland. Choice B is incorrect as cortisol is not released by the pituitary gland but acts on it to regulate hormone production. Choice D is incorrect as cortisol does not reduce the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Down syndrome is caused by possessing an extra chromosome in chromosome 21, not a chemical imbalance (choice A), a gene on the X chromosome (choice B), or possessing an extra X chromosome (choice C). The presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, also known as trisomy 21, leads to the characteristic features and health problems associated with Down syndrome.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Genes determine the range of characteristics a person has. Choice A is incorrect because genes do not solely determine behavior, as behavior is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Choice B is incorrect because while genes can contribute to the risk of developing mental disorders, they do not directly cause them. Choice C is incorrect as genes contribute to but do not solely determine all characteristics a person will have.