Psych final review

Your relative is experiencing memory loss related to Alzheimer disease. Research suggests that there may be insufficient production of the neurotransmitter ___________ in this individual's brain.

ACh

Tamika hypothesizes that women are more helpful than men. She decides to conduct an experiment to see if she's right. During lunchtime, she goes to the crowded food court and deliberately drops her notebook. She then notes whether the person standing closest to her helps her pick up her papers and whether the person is male or female. What is the operational definition of "helpful" in Tamika's study?

Bending down to pick up the papers

A clinician may use ___ to understand the cognitive motives for behaving in a particular way and then implementing new behaviors for change.

CBT

Dr. Okawa is interested in studying the effect that neurological trauma can have on short-term memory. First, he collects detailed information from a small number of individuals who have experienced brain damage. Then, using information provided by medical records, interviews, and observations, Dr. Okawa attempts to create an in-depth portrait of each individual. What type of research method was used in this study?

Case study

The neurotransmitter that is important for inhibiting the firing of neurons is

GABA

Steven was in a serious automobile accident that caused a severe injury to his hippocampus. What type of deficiency will Steven likely experience as a result of this brain damage?

He will probably have difficulties with memory formation

The ___ is important in transferring visual stimulation through the eye as a signal for sleep/wake cycles.

SCN

We define psychology based on three specific criteria, they are

Science, behavior, mental processes

Sonal had a stroke. Doctors told her she sustained substantial damage to the occipital lobes. What type of deficiencies will Sonal likely experience as a result of this brain damage?

She may be blind or unable to see clearly

Several studies find that among college students, use of illegal drugs is negatively correlated with grade-point average. Which conclusion, if any, do these results justify?

The results do not justify any of these conclusions

Which of the following is considered a drawback to conducting survey research? a)All of these can be considered drawbacks. b)People may offer socially desirable responses that make themselves "look good" as opposed to offering honest and valid answers. c)Surveys can only measure a person's conscious thoughts and feelings. Unconscious thoughts and feelings are not measurable. d)The language and structure (open vs. closed-ended) of questions can shape the content of responses.

a)All of these can be considered drawbacks.

All of the following are part of the scientific method EXCEPT: a)conducting an interview b)estabilishing a hypothesis c)creating an operational definition d)collecting and analyzing data

a)conducting an interview

The finding that identical twins reared together are more similar in intelligence than identical twins reared apart is evidence for the a)importance of environmental factors b)importance of genetic factors c)interplay between genes and environment d)all of the answers are correct

a)importance of environmental factors

The brain's ability to coordinate information from all five senses best reflects which of the following characteristics of the nervous system? a)integration b)complexity c)adaptability d)electrochemical comprehension

a)integration

A researcher is conducting an experiment to test the effects of violent video game play on aggression. Which of the following could be the dependent variable in this example? a)scores on an aggressive behavior survey b)video game preferences c)the number of hourse spent playing video games d)frequency of violent video game play

a)scores on an aggressive behavior survey

Another term that describes the "firing" of neurons is _____.

action potential

_____ glands help regulate mood, energy, and the ability to cope with stress.

adrenal

You are listening to a lecture. Then the bell rings in the hallway. In order to hear this stimulus, ______ neurons must carry electrochemical messages from your ears to your brain

afferent

The ___ bring information to the brain and spinal cord from the internal and external environment.

afferent nerves

Different versions of a gene are called ___ and are important because they help in determining which attributes will be dominant or recessive.

alleles

Sally is feeling very sick, but she takes some medicine and suddenly feels like doing some crazy things she wouldn't normally do. Which state of consciousness is she likely in?

altered states

Discrimination of objects that are necessary for survival (such as appropriate food) as well as emotional awareness and expression involves the _____.

amygdala

The physiological state of being engaged with the environment is called

arousal

Phenotypes are _____. a)influenced by genotypes b)all answers apply c)influenced by environmental factors d)reflected in a person's observable characteristics

b)all answers apply

We sleep: a)for harm reduction b)all answers apply c)for restorative purposes d)for better brain function

b)all answers apply

Dr. Steinguard wants to demonstrate a cause and effect relationship between stress and memory. Which of the following research methods should he use? a)survey method b)experimental method c)case study d)correlation

b)experimental method

If a person's cerebellum were damaged in an accident, you would expect the person to have a problem with _____.

balance and muscle coordination

Evolutionary psychology involves the study of universal patterns of ___ and ___ processes and how they have helped a species evolve over time.

behavior, cognitive

The type of psychology that involves focusing on controlling behaviors and their interaction with inborn qualities is

behaviorism

Psychologists who adopt a ____ approach examine behavior and mental processes by focusing on the body, especially the brain and nervous system

biological

The term plasticity refers to the____.

brain's special capacity for modification and change

Skepticism is important in understanding psychology because a)it allows for continued critical thinking b)it helps us to question whether something makes sense c)all answers apply d)it helps us to determine if there could be another explanation

c) all answers apply

Dr. Lopez found a significant positive correlation between stress and illness. Why can't she conclude that stress causes illness? a)stress and illness could have mutual or bidirectional causal effects b)illness may cause stress c)all answers are reasons why she cannot conclude d)a third variable such as poverty may be repsonsible for the correlation between stress and illness

c)all answers are reasons why she cannot conclude

The most complex mental functions, such as thinking and planning, take place in the _____.

cerebral cortex

If a patient suffered from frontal lobe damage, which of the following could be a result?

changes in personality

The type of psychology that focuses on thoughts and their relationship to experiences and actions is

cognitive psychology

When the axons of healthy neurons help damaged cells grow and make new connections, this is known as ___.

collateral sprouting

The ___ consists of a large bundle of axons which connect the brain's two hemisphere's and helps to relay information from one side to the other.

corpus callosum

Which of the following statements is FALSE? a)Describing the operational definitions for the variables in a study is a crucial step in designing psychological research. b)An operational definition provides an objective description of how a variable is going to be measured and observed in a particular study. c) Operational definitions eliminate the fuzziness that might creep into thinking about how to measure an abstract variable. d) In order to eliminate ambiguity, every variable should have only one operational definition.

d) In order to eliminate ambiguity, every variable should have only one operational definition.

Which of the following statements about correlational research is FALSE? a)Correlational methods are useful for describing the direction and magnitude of association between two variables. b)Correlational methods rely on observing and measuring rather than manipulating variables. c)Correlational methods involve the study of naturally occurring relationships among two variables. d)Correlational methods are useful for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between two variables.

d)Correlational methods are useful for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between two variables.

Biopsychology involves a)studying plasticity of the nervous system b)studying reproductive behavior c)studying neurodevelopment d)all answers apply

d)all answers apply

Which of the following are benefits to adequate sleep? a)lower stress levels b)improved memory and mood c)maintaining healthy weight d)all answers apply

d)all answers apply

Your brain has instructed your body muscles to move so that you avoid burning your hand on a hot stove. Which type of nerves carried the information from your brain to your muscles so that you could avoid getting burned?

efferent nerves

____ is the method by which neurons communicate with one another.

electrochemical transmission

Research information that is grounded in objective and tangible evidence is known as

empirical knowledge

The type of imaging that allows us to see changes in brain activity over time by tracking blood flow and oxygen levels is known as ___ scans

fMRI

Agonists can serve to

facilitate the activity of a NT

T/F: The empirical method is based on forms of logical argument or previous authorities.

false

True or False: Because hormones are released in the body, they work just as quickly as the NTs released in the brain.

false

True or False: Information travels through one neuron to the next in the following manner: 1. Neuron 1 receives information directly into the cell body, which then interprets the information and sends it down the axon.

false

True or False: NTs are stored in the synaptic vesicles that are located in the soma and travel down the axon for release into the synaptic gap.

false

True or False: Once research participants have consented to participating in a study, they are not allowed to back out of it for any reason.

false

True or False: The hypothalamus is part of the endocrine system because it has directly links to the hormones released.

false

True or False: When a neuron is in a state of hyperpolarization, it is ready to receive information and go through and all-or-none process.

false

t/f: Behaviorism is the systematic and relatively permanent change in our behavior that involves the mental processes.

false

t/f: Freud believed that our dreams represent an opportunity to gain access to our subconscious mind through dreams and content analysis.

false

The complex molecule that carries genetic information is called

genes

When we are about to take a very important test that could determine our grade for the semester, we are likely to respond at a

high level of awareness

This technique is an example of altered states of awareness.

hypnosis

The _____ is a small forebrain structure that monitors pleasurable activities (e.g. eating, drinking, and sex), emotion, stress, and reward.

hypothalamus

According to the principle of ____, researchers must disclose the purpose of the study to their participants and inform them of any potential risks and benefits that are associated with taking part in the study.

informed consent

Consciousness is awareness of ____ and ____ stimuli; often described as a continuum ranging from full awareness to deep sleep.

internal. external

It has been reported that people who use marijuana are more likely than other people to commit crimes. Why is this NOT evidence that marijuana use leads to crime?

it confuses correlation and causation

Independent variables are ____.

manipulated by researchers

Which part of the nervous system regulates breathing?

medulla

The pineal gland is important because it releases ___ into our body.

melatonin

____ is a layer of fat cells that insulates most axons and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses.

myelin

According to the all-or-nothing principle, _____.

once the electrical impulse reaches a certain level of intensity (its threshold), it fires and moves all the way down the axon without losing any intensity

Theories are a set of organized ideas and propositions that

organize and explain observable behaviors

The ___ is important in regulating blood sugar levels such as insulin in order to provide proper digestion.

pancreas

After finishing a psychology test, you try to relax by engaging in some meditation techniques. Doing these exercises should increase the response of the ___, which results in slower heart and respiration rates and less muscular tension.

parasympathetic NS

The body's withdrawal symptoms associated with drug use are known as

physical dependence

The "bridge" between the hypothalamus and the rest of the endocrine system is through the ___ which serves to regulate the activity of other glands.

pituitary gland

Professor Jordan has suggested to his students that as study time increases, grades increase. The professor is describing a ____.

positive correlation

______ involves using a chance procedure to guarantee that each participant has an equal probability of being assigned to either the control or experimental group.

random sampling

The assertion that our genes set the boundaries within which they operate is known as

range of reaction

Which of the following is a characteristic of REM sleep?

rapid eye movement

_____ are where neurochemicals will link up in order to "enter" the next neuron to continue electrochemical transmission.

receptor sites

To say that a test is reliable is to say that its results are

replicable

Certain psychoactive drugs can be very addictive. The reason for this is because many drugs work along ____ pathways in the brain.

reward

The reticular formation is primarily responsible for _____.

stereotyped patterns such as walking, sleeping

___ are a class of drugs that could be a reason why a person suffers from insomnia (ex. caffeine).

stimulant

Which division of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for producing physiological symptoms (such as increased heart rate and butterflies in the stomach) under conditions of stress?

sympathetic

The ___ mobilizes the body's resources and prepares it for action

sympathetic NS

You are walking through the forest and suddenly come across a poisonous snake. Your immediate thought is to run in the opposite direction. Which part of your NS is functioning and which hormone is likely involved?

sympathetic NS; cortisol

Our understanding that organisms that are better suited for their environments and will survive and reproduce is attributed to

theory of evolution

Receptors that are specific to receiving external information regarding temperature are called ____.

thermoreceptors

Critical thinking is the process of

thinking deeply and actively

Conversion of sensory stimulus energy to action potential is

transduction

T/F: Functionalism involves understanding how mental activities help an organism adapt to their surroundings.

true

T/F: Wilhelm Wundt's contribution to psychology included the creation of the first psychology lab involving the study of reaction time to stimuli.

true

True or False: Agonists such as morphine work to increase the effects of neurotransmitters produced in the body.

true

True or False: The small brain area that is important for regulating sleep/wake cycles through retinal input is called the SCN.

true

t/f: Norepinephrine is a neurochemical that has both excitatory and inhibitory properties.

true

t/f: Parasomnias are characterized by disturbed movements.

true

Depression is associated with low levels of what neurotransmitter?

5HT

The ____ establishes ethical guidelines for psychologists. The ____ evaluates the ethical nature of research conducted at colleges and universities.

American Psychological Association (APA) / Institutional Review Board (IRB)

When we focus on the behavioral processes that are necessary to correct a sleep problem, we will likely choose a ___ approach.

Behavioral psychology

When a neuron is at its resting state, what is the status of the charges on each side of the cell membrane?

Negative on the inside and positive on the outside

_____ provide an objective description of how variables are going to be measured and observed in a particular study.

Operational definitions