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A 6-Year-Old Girl with Down Syndrome Is Brought to the Clinic

question 78

Multiple Choice

A 6-year-old girl with Down syndrome is brought to the clinic due to behavioral changes. Over the past month, she has stopped running, tripped frequently while walking, and accidentally knocked toys over more often than normal. The patient was toilet-trained at age 4, but recently she began having frequent urinary accidents while playing and has started wearing a diaper again. Physical examination shows an ataxic gait. Muscle tone is decreased throughout. Bilateral ankle deep tendon reflexes are hyperreflexic. When the soles of the feet are firmly stroked, the big toes move upward and the other toes fan out. Urinalysis is normal. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's presentation?

Comprehend the basics of operant conditioning and its major components, including types of reinforcement and reinforcement schedules.

Identify potential dangers and ethical considerations of applying operant conditioning principles, such as gamification, to human behavior.

Recognize discriminative stimuli and their role in operant conditioning.

Demonstrate knowledge of B.F. Skinner's views on behavior, control, and the role of environmental consequences.

Definitions:

Buddhism

A religious and philosophical system founded by Siddhartha Gautama ("the Buddha") in the 5th century BCE, centering on the pursuit of enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

Steatite Seals

Small carved objects, often from the Indus Valley civilization, made of soft stone (steatite) and used for stamping on clay or sealing documents.

Indus Valley

An ancient civilization that flourished in the Indus River basin, known for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and agricultural practices.

Mesopotamia

An ancient region located in the eastern Mediterranean, bounded by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as one of the cradles of civilization where writing and urban culture first appeared.