It Is Believed That a Virus Contracted by a Pregnant

question 185

Multiple Choice

It is believed that a virus contracted by a pregnant woman might increase the incidence of schizophrenia in her child because:

• A) a mother's fever can adversely affect fetal brain development.
• B) increases in the resulting stress hormones in the mother affect fetal hormone levels.
• C) viruses are able to cross the placenta and affect the fetus directly.
• D) viral infections will harm the umbilical cord hampering the delivery of nutrients to the fetus.

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Definitions:

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological concept referring to the mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values.

Leon Festinger

An American social psychologist renowned for developing the theory of cognitive dissonance, which describes the psychological discomfort resulting from holding contradictory beliefs or attitudes.

Theory

A general principle or set of principles proposed to explain how a number of separate facts are related.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological phenomenon where an individual experiences discomfort from holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas simultaneously.