Problem
For each of the three concepts below, provide a definition and an example from research on how lead, mercury, or PCBs are related to the concept (you may mix lead, mercury, or PCBs for different research examples).
• subclinical effects
• temporal parameters
• nonspecific effects
A. Assume that low SES children are affected more severely by the same level of PCB exposure in comparison to high SES children.
B. Choose one known PCB impact on children and describe that impact.
C. Using your chosen PCB impact, please provide one biological, one physical-environmental, and one psychosocial-environmental reason you can think of that might cause the differential vulnerability (more severe impacts) for low SES children. Explain the logic of your answers. Note this is a thought question: little or no actual data on SES and vulnerability to toxins.
D. If it were correct that SES influences vulnerability to behavioral toxicological effects:
E. Does this mean there is a person X environment interaction? Why?
F. What additional information would you need to have to show that this differential vulnerability illustrates cognitive appraisal rather than environmental determinism?