Chapter 3 Quiz

In a set of identical twins who have been raised together, one of them develops schizophrenia, but the other does not. Which of the unifying themes discussed in the text is this illustrative of? A. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior. B. Psychology is empirical. C. Psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context. D. Our behavior is shaped by our cultural heritage.

A. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior.

Which of the following kinds of studies can truly demonstrate that specific traits are indeed inherited? A. None of the above B. Twin studies C. Adoption studies D. Family studies

A. None of the above

In which of the lobes of the cerebrum is the somatosensory cortex located? A. Parietal B. Temporal C. Occipital D. Frontal

A. Parietal

Jeremy is sitting quietly when the muscles in his left leg begin to "twitch." This activation of movement in his voluntary muscles is most likely due to the release of the neurotransmitter A. acetylcholine. B. dopamine. C. serotonin. D. norepinephrine.

A. acetylcholine.

The heart, glands, and smooth muscles are controlled by the A. autonomic nervous system. B. somatic nervous system. C. peripheral nervous system. D. efferent nervous system.

A. autonomic nervous system.

Studying the evolution of behavior is more difficult than studying the evolution of physical traits mainly because A. behaviors may occur infrequently and may not last very long. B. behaviors are more susceptible to genetic drift. C. natural selection generally does not operate on behaviors. D. behaviors tend to evolve more slowly.

A. behaviors may occur infrequently and may not last very long.

The research on adopted children and intelligence has found that there is a significant similarity between them and A. both sets of parents. B. their adoptive siblings. C. their biological parents. D. their adoptive parents.

A. both sets of parents.

The drunken driving suspect was unable to hold his hand out to the side and bring his finger to a stop on his nose because one of the brain structures depressed first by alcohol is the A. cerebellum. B. hypothalamus. C. medulla. D. corpus callosum.

A. cerebellum.

Recent research has suggested that mirror neurons may play a role in all of the following EXCEPT A. complex mathematical calculations. B. the understanding of the intentions of others. C. acquisition of new motor skills. D. the imitation of others.

A. complex mathematical calculations.

In Parkinsonism, the tremors, muscular rigidity, and reduced control over voluntary movements appears to be a function of A. degeneration of neurons that use dopamine as a neurotransmitter. B. agonistic chemical action on the receptor sites of the cerebrum. C. damage to glia cells. D. enzymatic deficiency that does not allow for the proper cleanup of waste products in the nervous system.

A. degeneration of neurons that use dopamine as a neurotransmitter.

The primary motor cortex is located in the A. frontal lobe. B. parietal lobe. C. temporal lobe. D. occipital lobe.

A. frontal lobe.

Donald and Ronald are identical twins who have been raised apart, in separate adoptive homes. However, both brothers have developed the same psychological disorder. This information could be used as evidence to suggest that A. genetic factors have more influence than environmental factors in this disorder. B. environmental factors have more influence than genetic factors in this disorder. C. neither genetic nor environmental factors contribute to this disorder. D. both genetic and environmental factors contribute equally to this disorder.

A. genetic factors have more influence than environmental factors in this disorder.

When a dominant gene is paired with a recessive gene, the gene pair is said to be A. heterozygous. B. polygenic. C. phenotypic. D. homozygous.

A. heterozygous.

The "master gland" of the endocrine system is the A. pituitary gland. B. hypothalamus. C. gonads. D. adrenal gland.

A. pituitary gland.

Chase is using a single earphone to listen in on a conversation. Based on the research that investigated hemispheric specialization in intact brains, you might suggest that he will recognize the words he hears most quickly if he A. puts the earphone in his right ear. B. keeps switching the earphone from ear to ear. C. puts the earphone in his left ear. D. closes his eyes while he listens to the conversation.

A. puts the earphone in his right ear.

Nadine had a stroke that was confined to the right side of her brain. Based on hemispheric lateralization studies, you might expect that Nadine would have the most problems with tasks that require A. spatial skills, such as fitting together puzzle pieces. B. fine motor coordination. C. language and communication. D. mathematics and logical reasoning skills.

A. spatial skills, such as fitting together puzzle pieces.

The main reason for the characterization of the left hemisphere as the "dominant" hemisphere was A. the evidence that the left hemisphere usually processes language. B. that split-brain patients use only their left hemisphere for processing information. C. the fact that the majority of people are right-handed. D. the evidence that the left hemisphere usually processes complex information.

A. the evidence that the left hemisphere usually processes language.

Electrical stimulation of its lateral hypothalamus causes an animal to overeat and become obese. Therefore, we would expect that lesioning the lateral hypothalamus would produce A. undereating and weight loss. B. no effect on eating or body weight. C. alternating periods of overeating and undereating. D. overeating and obesity.

A. undereating and weight loss.

Which of the following individuals is likely to be at the HIGHEST level of sympathetic arousal? A. Melissa, who is daydreaming and staring out the window B. Bill, who is anticipating an exam he will take within the hour and for which he is unprepared C. Professor Trong, who is lecturing D. Keith, who is concentrating on a lecturer and taking careful notes

B. Bill, who is anticipating an exam he will take within the hour and for which he is unprepared

Which of the following statements concerning plasticity in the brain is FALSE? A. Even adult brains are able to form additional neurons B. Older brains show more plasticity than younger brains C. Damage to one area of brain tissue may result in changes in other areas of the brain that compensate for the damage D. Experience can change the features of brain structures

B. Older brains show more plasticity than younger brains

Milo's doctors believe he might have schizophrenia, but before they make their final diagnosis, they want to study detailed, three-dimensional images of Milo's brain structures. The technique the doctors are most likely to use in this case would be A. electrical stimulation of the brain (ESB). B. a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. C. a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. D. an electroencephalograph (EEG) recording.

B. a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

According to the ____ law, a neuron fires an action potential at only one level of intensity. A. action B. all-or-none C. refractory D. threshold

B. all-or-none

All of the following are valid criticisms of brain-imaging research EXCEPT that brain-imaging procedues A. do not demonstrate the actual role played by parts of the brain. B. have become too accessible to untrained researchers. C. do not directly measure neuronal activity. D. only provide estimates of brain function.

B. have become too accessible to untrained researchers

After inhaling a secret substance, John displays more empathy and is more trusting of others. It is likely that the secret substance contained A. arsenic. B. oxytocin. C. melatonin. D. endorphins.

B. oxytocin.

Research by Olds and Milner (1954) identified a "pleasure center" in rat brains. Rats will press a lever thousands of times as long as a small electric current stimulates A. the frontal lobe of the occipital cortex. B. the hypothalamus. C. the brainstem. D. the corpus callosum.

B. the hypothalamus.

Imagine that a picture of a spoon is briefly flashed in the left visual field of an individual with a severed corpus callosum. At the same time, a picture of a cup is briefly flashed in the right visual field. Based on research with split-brain patients, you could predict that this individual will say, A. "I saw a spoon resting in a cup." B. "I saw a spoon." C. "I saw a cup." D. "I didn't see anything."

C. "I saw a cup."

With the exception of the sex cells, every cell in the human body contains A. 23 recessive genes and 23 dominant genes. B. 46 heterozygous pairs. C. 46 chromosomes. D. 23 chromosomes.

C. 46 chromosomes.

In addition to its role in motor behavior, acetylcholine has been suggested to be involved in attention, arousal, learning, and memory, and its degeneration related to Alzheimer's disease. Given what you have learned about the brain, in what structure would you expect to find a high percentage of acetylcholine receptors? A. Pons B. Hypothalamus C. Hippocampus D. Thalamus

C. Hippocampus

Which of the following does NOT belong with the other three? A. Thyroid B. Gonads C. Thalamus D. Pituitary

C. Thalamus

The difference in the flow rates of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane leads to A. a negatively charged action potential. B. both a negatively charged action potential and a slightly lower concentration of negatively charged ions inside the cell. C. a slightly higher concentration of negatively charged ions inside the cell. D. a slightly lower concentration of negatively charged ions inside the cell.

C. a slightly higher concentration of negatively charged ions inside the cell.

Jeremy is sitting quietly when the muscles in his left leg begin to "twitch." This activation of movement in his voluntary muscles is most likely due to the release of the neurotransmitter A. serotonin. B. dopamine. C. acetylcholine. D. norepinephrine.

C. acetylcholine.

When curare blocks the action of acetylcholine by occupying its receptor sites, it is acting A. as an agonist. B. as a placebo. C. as an antagonist. D. as a neurotransmitter.

C. as an antagonist.

Efferent nerve fibers transmit messages ____ the brain and spinal cord. A. away from and toward B. within or between C. away from D. toward

C. away from

The two most basic divisions of the nervous system are the A. brain and the spinal cord. B. sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division. C. central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. D. somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

C. central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

The brain-imaging method that uses multiple X-rays to generate a picture of a horizontal slice of the brain is A. EKG. B. an electroencephalograph. C. computerized tomography. D. stereotaxic instrumentation.

C. computerized tomography.

People sometimes report a feeling of euphoria following a period of vigorous exercise. This is MOST likely due to the effects of A. acetylcholine. B. dopamine. C. endorphins. D. norepinephrine.

C. endorphins.

The results of the Featured Study in the text suggest that men's and women's brains tend to respond somewhat differently to ___________ stimuli. A. biological B. educational C. erotic D. cognitive

C. erotic

Paul is wide awake and studying for an upcoming exam. While he is studying, his brain activity is being recorded using an electroencephalograph (EEG). The EEG recording is MOST likely to be dominated by A. high voltage, low frequency brain waves. B. high voltage, high frequency brain waves. C. low voltage, high frequency brain waves. D. low voltage, low frequency brain waves.

C. low voltage, high frequency brain waves.

The brain structure that controls unconscious but essential functions such as breathing and circulation is the A. cerebellum. B. corpus callosum. C. medulla. D. pons.

C. medulla.

The hypothalamus influences or regulates all of the following EXCEPT A. the endocrine system. B. feeding. C. memory. D. the autonomic nervous system.

C. memory.

The cells of the nervous system that do the work of receiving, integrating, and transmitting information are the A. neuroblasts. B. neurilemma. C. neurons. D. glia.

C. neurons.

The ____ is most likely to be in control of bodily processes during periods of rest and recovery for the body. A. hypothalamus B. somatic nervous system C. parasympathetic nervous system D. sympathetic nervous system

C. parasympathetic nervous system

The movement of voluntary skeletal muscles involved in doing calisthenics is under the control of the A. sympathetic nervous system. B. parasympathetic nervous system. C. somatic nervous system. D. autonomic nervous system.

C. somatic nervous system.

If brain damage is suspected, a patient may be tested with which of the following methods? A. The electrocardiograph B. Lesioning C. Electrode implantation D. The electroencephalograph

D. The electroencephalograph

A hormone is A. a location in the brain where a specific memory is stored. B. a brain structure below the hypothalamus. C. a neurotransmitter that crosses into the bloodstream. D. a chemical secreted into the blood by a gland.

D. a chemical secreted into the blood by a gland.

In humans, the prefrontal cortex accounts for ____ of the cerebral cortex. A. less than 5% B. just over 10% C. nearly one-half D. approximately one-third

D. approximately one-third

An antagonist A. prevents reuptake of neurotransmitters. B. mimics the action of a neurotransmitter. C. extends the absolute refractory period of neural transmission. D. blocks the action of neurotransmitters.

D. blocks the action of neurotransmitters.

Recent research has suggested that mirror neurons may play a role in all of the following EXCEPT A. acquisition of new motor skills. B. the imitation of others. C. the understanding of the intentions of others. D. complex mathematical calculations.

D. complex mathematical calculations.

The structure that connects the two cerebral hemispheres is the A. pineal gland. B. thalamus. C. parietal lobe. D. corpus callosum.

D. corpus callosum.

Family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies are primarily designed to A. establish the groundwork for genetic engineering programs. B. assess the effects of modern child-rearing methods. C. demonstrate the empirical nature of psychological research. D. disentangle the effects of genetics and experience on behavioral traits.

D. disentangle the effects of genetics and experience on behavioral traits.

While ____ refers to a person's genetic makeup, ____ refers to a person's observable characteristics. A. homozygous; heterozygous B. phenotype; genotype C. heterozygous; homozygous D. genotype; phenotype

D. genotype; phenotype

The appearance of secondary sex characteristics is the responsibility of hormones secreted by the A. pancreas. B. thalamus. C. thyroid. D. gonads.

D. gonads.

The fact that Maria was a little later than her sisters in going through puberty can be attributed to the action of her A. adrenal glands. B. pancreas. C. thyroid glands. D. gonads.

D. gonads.

All of the following are valid criticisms of brain-imaging research EXCEPT that brain-imaging procedues A. only provide estimates of brain function. B. do not demonstrate the actual role played by parts of the brain. C. do not directly measure neuronal activity. D. have become too accessible to untrained researchers.

D. have become too accessible to untrained researchers.

Much of the endocrine system is controlled by the nervous system through the A. medulla. B. cerebellum. C. thalamus. D. hypothalamus.

D. hypothalamus.

The gland located below the hypothalamus that produces a number of hormones, many of which trigger other endocrine glands to release hormones, is the A. thyroid gland. B. gonads. C. adrenal gland. D. pituitary gland.

D. pituitary gland.

If the occipital lobe of the brain is stimulated, a person would be MOST likely to report A. smelling an odor. B. hearing a sound. C. moving a part of his body. D. seeing a flash of light.

D. seeing a flash of light.

The microscopic gap between the terminal buttons of one neuron and the cell membrane of another neuron is the A. presynaptic space. B. neurotransmitter cleft. C. postsynaptic space. D. synaptic cleft.

D. synaptic cleft.

The elimination of old, less active synapses is known as A. neurogenesis. B. synaptic sculpting. C. synaptic reuptake. D. synaptic pruning.

D. synaptic pruning.