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.
Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions 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, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
