Final answer:
A neuroscientist should find a positive correlation between gray matter volume in the amygdala and hippocampus and distance of residence from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, among a sample of New York City participants.
Step-by-step explanation:
A neuroscientist should find a positive correlation between gray matter volume in the amygdala and hippocampus and distance of residence from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, among a sample of New York City participants. A positive correlation means that as the distance of residence from the World Trade Center increases, the gray matter volume in the amygdala and hippocampus also increases.
This finding is supported by research that suggests a relationship between the amygdala and hippocampus and psychological disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders. For example, individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show reductions in the volume of parts of the hippocampus, which may result from decreased levels of neurogenesis and dendritic branching. Studies have also demonstrated behavioral improvements and hippocampal volume increases following therapy in individuals with PTSD.
Therefore, based on the existing research, a neuroscientist would expect to find a positive correlation between gray matter volume in the amygdala and hippocampus and distance of residence from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.