Can teens catch eating disorders from their friends? 

Is parenting style linked to depression?

Can occasional binge drinking result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

This program takes students on a riveting journey through the root causes of both common and esoteric mental disorders. Use karyotypes to diagnose disorders such as Fragile-X Syndrome and Klinefelter’s Syndrome that result from missing or visibly “broken” chromosomes. Create pedigree charts to unravel whether newly identified disorders are heritable. Track the spread of eating disorders in emerging countries in the wake of TV shows and ads that glamorize thinness. Review popular films for their accuracy in portraying the etiology of mental disorders. Evaluate research on whether there is a link between vaccines and Autism. 

Turning to sociopathy, can individuals be born evil? Or is their abhorrent behavior a result of child abuse, brain injuries, or even volitional decision?

We will explore the role of gender, socialization, “biological clocks,” and socioeconomic status in the onset of mental disorders.