Please describe the macrophage theory of depression. To what extent is the theory supported empirically?
What will be an ideal response?
Ans: There are similarities to the response of physical sickness and depression. Cytokines acting on the brain produce the experience of sickness, leading to behaviors similar to those seen in depression. This has led to the theory that cytokine malfunction may be involved with depression. At present, the theory enjoys only mixed support; the evidence suggests that depression leads to rather than stems from depressed immune system responses.
Learning Objective: 6.2 Describe the characteristics and causes of major depressive disorder.
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Are Depression and Inflammation Related?
Difficulty Level: Medium
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For some new mothers, the time after the birth of their child is marked by a period of depression, a pervasive feeling of sadness and unhappiness also known as
a. parental depression. c. postpartum depression. b. baby blues. d. prenatal depression.
How do children develop special attachments to their mothers, according to John Bowlby?
a. The mother provides innate contact comfort to the infant. b. The infant is biologically programmed to emit behavior that triggers a protective response from adults. c. The mother becomes a conditioned reinforcer because she is associated with the reinforcing act of being fed. d. Maternal attachment behavior is the result of reproductive fitness.