Mark Repeatedly Failed at School and Was Retained Twice

question 398

Essay

Mark repeatedly failed at school and was retained twice. He has begun to believe that there is nothing he can do to improve his grades, so he gives up and eventually drops out of school in the tenth grade. Mark's school experience illustrates the concept of __________.

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Definitions:

Neurotransmitter

Chemical agents that facilitate communication between neurons across synapses in the nervous system.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and attention in the brain.

Amphetamine

A potent central nervous system stimulant used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, and sometimes as a recreational drug.

Dopamine Hypothesis

A theory suggesting that the imbalance of dopamine levels in the brain plays a critical role in the development of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.