A recent science podcast episode asserted that 'autism is entirely genetically determined'. The episode followed the development of non-identical twin brothers, Leo and Mason. Both twins were born at 38 weeks; Leo's delivery was quick and routine, but Mason suffered from temporary oxygen deprivation during a prolonged, complicated birth. By age three, Leo began showing characteristic features of autism and was diagnosed, while Mason has shown typical neurodevelopment and has not been diagnosed.
To what extent do you agree with the podcast's assertion in relation to Leo and Mason that autism is determined genetically before birth? You must make reference to the context in your answer.
84 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Psychology Content, covering Bowlby's work on attachment, Ainsworth and the Strange Situation, Research into deprivation, Research into privation, Research into day care, Cross-cultural research into attachment, Autism, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.