General Psychology Chapters 1&2
Information from specialized cells in the sense organs is conveyed to the brain by: A) sensory neurons. B) glial cells. C) motor neurons. D) hormones.
A
Most of the neurons in the human nervous system are: A) interneurons. B) motor neurons. C) sensory neurons. D) glial cells.
A
Psychoanalysis emphasized: A) unconscious causes of behavior. B) overt behavior and principles of learning. C) psychological growth and conscious experience. D) the perception of whole figures.
A
The type of specialized cell whose main function is to communicate between neurons is a(n): A) interneuron. B) glial cell. C) motor neuron. D) sensory neuron.
A
Which gland produces melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate our sleep-wake cycle? A) the pineal gland B) the pituitary gland C) the pancreas D) the thyroid gland
A
The adrenal glands produce hormones that are involved in: A) reproduction. B) stress. C) metabolism. D) sleep.
B
The main link between the nervous system and the endocrine system is the: A) adrenal cortex. B) hypothalamus. C) pineal gland. D) pancreas.
B
Each cerebral hemisphere can be roughly divided into four lobes. Which lobe processes auditory information? A) the frontal lobe B) the parietal lobe C) the temporal lobe D) the occipital lobe
C
The hippocampus plays a key role in: A) regulating sleep and wakefulness. B) survival behaviors, including eating and drinking. C) forming new memories. D) emotional responses, including fear, anger, and disgust.
C
Which of the following is NOT a possible correlation coefficient? A) +1.00 B) -.98 C) +1.72 D) +.54
C
A case study is a(n): A) in-depth investigation of a single individual or a small group of individuals, often involving information from a wide variety of sources. B) method of determining whether an experiment reflects natural conditions. C) survey involving only people who are likely to confirm the experimenter's hypothesis. D) study involving multiple subjects who all suffer from the same psychological problems and are given the same experimental treatment.
A
A correlation coefficient is: A) a numerical indicator of the strength and direction of a relationship between two factors. B) an independent variable that is used in a correlational study. C) a numerical indicator of the statistical significance of the findings in a particular research study. D) an index of the practical rather than the statistical significance of research findings.
A
A hypothesis is: A) a tentative statement that describes the relationship between two or more variables. B) a geometrical construct often used in statistical analyses. C) a theory that has been proven. D) the operational definition assigned to the independent variable.
A
A placebo is: A) a fake substance, treatment or procedure with no known direct effects. B) the dependent variable in an experiment testing drug effects. C) a statistical technique used to eliminate errors in measurement. D) a drug that is supplied to the experimental groups.
A
A representative sample is a: A) group of subjects that closely parallels the larger group to be studied on all relevant characteristics, such as age, sex, and race. B) sample questionnaire that represents the most likely set of survey responses. C) small group of volunteers who try to predict the survey results. D) list of all the possible questions that might be represented on the final survey.
A
All motor neurons manufacture: A) acetylcholine. B) dopamine. C) serotonin. D) L-dopa.
A
An action potential occurs when: A) sodium ions enter the axon's interior and potassium ions enter the axon's exterior, causing a brief positive electrical impulse. B) potassium ions are electrically transformed into sodium ions. C) polarized dendrites stimulate adjoining nodes of Ranvier. D) potassium ions enter the dendrites and sodium ions exit the axon, causing depolarization and a brief negative electrical charge.
A
Another word for epinephrine is: A) adrenaline. B) progesterone. C) glutamate. D) testosterone.
A
Behaviorism was characterized by: A) the rejection of consciousness as a topic in psychology and a focus upon observable behavior. B) a narrow focus upon consciousness and conscious experience. C) a focus upon the importance of free will, self-determination, and psychological growth. D) an emphasis upon the unconscious determinants of personality.
A
Descriptive research methods: A) typically answer the "who, what, where, when, and how often" questions about behavior. B) are no longer used in contemporary psychology. C) have been replaced by sophisticated brain imaging techniques. D) provide the most compelling evidence of cause-and-effect relationships.
A
Dr. Kerrick has developed a training program for young children that will help the children learn to read at a quicker pace and with greater comprehension. What kind of psychologist is Dr. Kerrick? A) educational B) personality C) industrial/organizational D) clinical
A
Empirical evidence refers to evidence that is the result of: A) observation, measurement, and experimentation. B) intuition, logic, and critical thinking. C) experience, philosophy, and opinion. D) experience, logic, and statistics.
A
Evidence suggests that the addictiveness of some drugs, including cocaine and nicotine, is related to increases in the activity of which of the following neurotransmitters? A) dopamine B) serotonin C) acetylcholine D) GABA
A
Humanistic psychology was called the "third force" because it: A) provided an alternative viewpoint to the two approaches that were dominant at the time, behaviorism and psychoanalysis. B) was based upon the belief that there were three forces that motivated all human behavior. C) proposed that there were three methods that could be used to scientifically study human behavior. D) was composed of three separate branches, or schools.
A
In contrast to collectivistic cultures, individualistic cultures tend to: A) value the needs and goals of the individual over the needs and goals of the group. B) stress the interdependence of all people. C) be less susceptible to cultural influences. D) downplay individual abilities and achievements.
A
One potential problem with surveys and questionnaires is that: A) people may misrepresent their personal characteristics or lie in their responses. B) random selection procedures are not possible with these forms of data collection. C) expectancy effects usually invalidate the findings. D) these techniques produce illusory correlations rather than true correlations.
A
Paul was awakened by a thumping noise in the middle of the night. Frightened, he jumped out of bed to investigate. Hearing a muffled meow, Paul realized that his cat was shut in the closet and was pushing against the door. Breathing a sigh of relief, Paul let the cat out of the closet and went back to bed. Which subdivision of the nervous system helped calm down and restore Paul's body functioning back to normal? A) parasympathetic B) endocrine C) sympathetic D) somatic
A
Psychologists who take the evolutionary perspective: A) believe that psychological processes that help individuals adapt to their environment also help them survive, reproduce, and pass those abilities on to future generations. B) study how behavior develops over the lifespan. C) study how different languages evolved. D) search for the tools, artifacts, and drawings of our earliest ancestors.
A
Random assignment refers to a procedure that: A) ensures that all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any of the experimental conditions or groups. B) helps psychologists determine which factors should be defined as dependent variables. C) is used in statistics to determine whether results are random or simply due to chance. D) randomly assigns different procedures to different researchers in order to minimize experimenter bias.
A
The basic goal of the experimental method is to: A) demonstrate that one variable causes change in a second variable. B) describe and predict naturally occurring phenomena. C) investigate a single subject in depth. D) discover new operational definitions.
A
The cell body of a neuron: A) provides the energy needed for the neuron to function. B) manufactures myelin. C) is the long, fluid-filled tube that carries a neuron's message to other body areas. D) receives information directly from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells.
A
The cognitive perspective of psychology focuses on: A) the important role of mental processes in how people process information, develop language, solve problems, and think. B) how overt behavior is acquired and modified by environmental influences. C) the diversity of human behavior in different cultural settings and countries. D) the motivation of people to grow psychologically, the influence of interpersonal relationships on a person's self-concept, and the importance of choice and self-direction in striving to reach one's potential.
A
The early school of psychology called behaviorism: A) grew out of Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov's pioneering research in which he conditioned dogs to salivate to the sound of a bell. B) was the first of the early schools to disappear. C) was flatly rejected by John Watson and B. F. Skinner in the early 1900s. D) was rejected as a pseudoscience in the early 1930s by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
A
The most common form of communication between neurons is: A) chemical. B) electrical. C) magnetic. D) hormonal.
A
The multiple short fibers that extend from the neuron's cell body and receive information from other neurons or from sensory receptor cells are called: A) dendrites. B) the nodes of Ranvier. C) synaptic vesicles. D) axons.
A
The purpose of using a double-blind research design is to: A) guard against the possibility that the researcher will treat subjects differently or communicate the behavior that is expected of the subjects. B) guard against the release of confidential information. C) guarantee the anonymity of the subjects. D) determine which subjects will be exposed to the dependent variable.
A
The stimulus threshold of the neuron refers to the: A) minimum level of stimulation required to activate a particular neuron. B) 3-to-1 ratio of positive-to-negative ions required for the neuron to transmit information to the next neuron. C) positive electrical charge on the neuron's interior just prior to neuron activation. D) minimum level of stimulation required to inhibit a neuron from firing.
A
This drawing shows the typical structures found on a neuron. Pick the alternative that correctly labels the structures in the drawing. A) 1 = dendrites, 2 = cell body, 3 = axon, 4 = myelin sheath B) 1 = axon terminals, 2 = dendrite, 3 = vesicles, 4 = synapse C) 1 = synaptic spines, 2 = glial cell, 3 = ion channels, 4 = node of Ranvier D) 1 = synaptic vesicles, 2 = ion channel, 3 = pons, 4 = axon
A
Two key figures in the development of humanistic psychology include: A) Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. B) Sigmund Freud and B. F. Skinner. C) Mary Calkins and Margaret Floy Washburn. D) John Watson and B. F. Skinner.
A
Which brain structure exerts considerable influence over the secretion of hormones throughout the body? A) the hypothalamus B) the amygdala C) the hippocampus D) the thalamus
A
Which of the following best defines a neurotransmitter? A) a chemical messenger that crosses the synaptic gap between neurons B) an electrical impulse that crosses the synaptic gap between neurons C) a chemical communicator manufactured by glial cells D) a microscopic channel through which sodium and potassium ions pass
A
Which of the following best defines neurogenesis? A) the development of new neurons B) the first neuron to generate an action potential C) the influence of neurons on the formation of new genes D) the influence of genes on the firing rate of neurons
A
Which of the following is a definition of the confirmation bias? A) the tendency to seek out evidence that confirms a claim or belief, while ignoring evidence that contradicts or undermines the claim or belief B) the belief that irrefutable or nonfalsifiable claims can be used to confirm the existence of pseudoscientific methods and practices C) the tendency for subtle cues or signals, expressed by the researcher, to bias participants so that they attempt to confirm the hypothesis being tested D) the belief that testimonials are the best type of empirical evidence to confirm pseudoscientific claims
A
Which of the following people played a key role in establishing psychology as a scientific discipline in the United States? A) William James B) Sigmund Freud C) B. F. Skinner D) Abraham Maslow
A
A perfect positive correlation: A) is statistically impossible. B) would mean that every time Factor A occurred, Factor B also occurred. C) would mean that Factor A caused Factor B to occur. D) would mean that every time Factor A occurred, Factor B did not occur.
B
A theory: A) is another term that means the same thing as a hypothesis. B) integrates and summarizes diverse findings on the same topic. C) is based strictly on speculation rather than any kind of empirical evidence. D) is a statement of absolute fact that eventually becomes a scientific law.
B
Acetylcholine is: A) found in sensory neurons but not motor neurons. B) involved in movement and memory. C) manufactured by glial cells. D) dramatically decreased in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease.
B
After surgery, physicians may prescribe a medication to relieve pain. Such a medication would most likely mimic the effects of _____. A) dopamine B) endorphins C) serotonin D) GABA
B
Compared to neurons that do not have myelin, neurons with myelin: A) are unable to communicate with other neurons. B) can communicate up to 20 times faster. C) use much more energy. D) do not have an axon.
B
In a study on the effects of caffeine on memory, participants drank a bottle of tasteless water containing 100, 50, or 0 milligrams of caffeine. The participants assigned to the group that got bottled water with no caffeine represented the _____ in this study. A) dependent variable B) placebo control group C) meta-analysis D) experimental group
B
In an experiment, the dependent variable is: A) always equivalent to zero. B) the factor that is measured for change and is influenced by the independent variable. C) measured only in the control group subjects. D) deliberately manipulated by the researcher.
B
In collectivistic cultures, a person's sense of identity: A) is primarily determined by his or her outstanding accomplishments. B) is strongly influenced by the person's interdependent relationships with others, such as the person's family. C) is largely a matter of individual preferences and attitudes. D) is best characterized as independent, autonomous, and distinctive.
B
Neurons are: A) found in primates and humans, but not in other animals. B) highly specialized cells that receive and transmit information from one area of the body to another. C) found only in the spinal cord and bone marrow. D) highly specialized cells that produce myelin.
B
Neuroplasticity, or simply plasticity, refers to the brain's ability to: A) generate new neurons. B) change function and structure. C) change structure but not function. D) change function but not structure.
B
Psychologists are guided by the basic scientific assumption that events are lawful. What does this mean to psychologists? A) Psychologists are required to obey the law in all of their professional activities. B) Psychologists assume that behavior and mental processes follow consistent patterns. C) Psychologists recognize that behavior typically follows the laws created by society. D) Psychologists assume that abnormal behavior is unlawful whereas normal behavior is lawful.
B
Researchers using PET scans to study the opioid system in long-distance runners are likely to find increased brain levels of _____ following a long run. A) acetylcholine B) endorphins C) GABA D) cerebrospinal fluid
B
The autonomic nervous system is composed of two different branches called the _____ and _____ nervous systems. A) somatic; endocrine B) sympathetic; parasympathetic C) endocrine; sympathetic D) involuntary; voluntary
B
The branch of science that is concerned with the study of the nervous system, especially the brain, is called: A) interdisciplinary science. B) neuroscience. C) developmental psychology. D) clinical psychology.
B
The electrical charge of a neuron when it is in the resting potential state is about: A) +30 millivolts. B) -70 millivolts. C) +2 volts. D) -10 volts.
B
The experimental group is the group of: A) participants exposed to the dependent variable. B) participants exposed to the independent variable. C) psychologists who are collaborating on an experiment. D) variables that require operational definitions.
B
The factors in a hypothesis that can vary or change are called the: A) theories. B) variables. C) main effects. D) correlation coefficients.
B
The idea that specific psychological or cognitive functions are processed primarily on one side of the brain is called: A) cortical localization. B) lateralization of function. C) functional plasticity. D) structural plasticity.
B
The neurotransmitter called acetylcholine: A) is found in all sensory neurons. B) is involved in muscle contractions and memory. C) can cause hallucinations when present in abnormally excessive amounts. D) is chemically identical to heroin.
B
The notion of structural plasticity: A) has been demonstrated in animal studies but there is no evidence for structural plasticity in humans. B) is the idea that learning, active practice, or environmental stimulation can cause physical changes in the brain's structure. C) led to the idea of surgically cutting the corpus callosum as a possible treatment for severe cases of epilepsy. D) is the idea that the brain has the ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged brain areas.
B
The part of the neuron that carries messages to other cells in the body is the: A) dendrite. B) axon. C) nucleus. D) reticular formation.
B
The primary function of the myelin sheath is to: A) reduce the speed of neurotransmitters crossing the synaptic gap. B) insulate the axon and increase the speed at which neurons convey their message. C) provide support and nutrition to the dendrites. D) inhibit the opening and closing of ion channels on the axon's membrane.
B
The term cognitive revolution refers to: A) the founding of humanistic psychology as the "third force" that strongly opposed psychoanalysis and behaviorism. B) a renewed emphasis upon the study of mental processes, which represented a "revolt" or break from traditional behaviorism. C) the discovery of the role played by neurotransmitters in the brain during complex behaviors. D) the revolt of research subjects against unethical practices and experiments, which led to new ethical standards in psychology.
B
This image depicts the left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex. Of the choices provided, which correctly labels the structures in the drawing? A) 1 = parietal lobe, 2 = gray matter, 3 = association areas, 4 = white matter B) 1 = frontal lobe, 2 = parietal lobe, 3 = occipital lobe, 4 = temporal lobe C) 1 = frontal lobe, 2 = temporal lobe, 3 = parietal lobe, 4 = occipital lobe D) 1 = temporal lobe, 2 = midbrain lobe, 3 = occipital lobe, 4 = frontal lobe
B
This image depicts the left hemisphere of the cerebral cortex. Pick the alternative that correctly labels the structures in the drawing. A) 1 = parietal lobe, 2 = gray matter, 3 = association areas, 4 = white matter B) 1 = frontal lobe, 2 = parietal lobe, 3 = occipital lobe, 4 = temporal lobe C) 1 = frontal lobe, 2 = temporal lobe, 3 = parietal lobe, 4 = occipital lobe D) 1 = temporal lobe, 2 = midbrain lobe, 3 = occipital lobe, 4 = frontal lobe
B
Which of the following is an important advantage of surveys? A) Surveys can be developed by people with no scientific training. B) Researchers are able to gather information about a very large group of people based on a representative sample of that group. C) The dependent variable is more easily manipulated than in formal experiments. D) If there are more than 3,000 participants, the results are likely to be valid no matter how the participants were chosen.
B
Which of the following people developed a theory of motivation that emphasized psychological growth? A) John B. Watson B) Abraham Maslow C) G. Stanley Hall D) Ivan Pavlov
B
As you are listening to a lecture, workers are repairing a wall just outside your classroom. Throughout the class, you find yourself coughing and sneezing because of the dust and fumes in the air. Which brain structure controls such vital reflexes as sneezing, coughing, and swallowing? A) the corpus callosum B) the cerebellum C) the medulla D) the thalamus
C
As you are walking in a crowded hallway, someone calls your name. Almost instantly, you sense that the person is on your left. Your brain's ability to detect the direction of a sound is initially processed in the: A) medulla. B) frontal lobe. C) midbrain region. D) occipital lobe.
C
Functional plasticity: A) can produce aphasia or paralysis. B) has been demonstrated in research with primates but not with humans. C) refers to the brain's ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged areas of the brain. D) can only occur in children prior to about the age of seven.
C
In combination, the brain and spinal cord make up the: A) peripheral nervous system. B) autonomic nervous system. C) central nervous system. D) somatic nervous system.
C
In order to increase confidence in the findings of a particular study, it is important that the study and its results: A) have practical significance. B) be widely reported. C) be repeated or replicated. D) be tested by meta-analysis.
C
Maria heard a strange banging noise just outside her bedroom window in the middle of the night. She froze in fear, and her heart began to pound. Maria's heightened physical arousal involved the activation of which subdivision of the nervous system? A) endocrine B) parasympathetic C) sympathetic D) reticular
C
Psychology is formally defined as: A) the scientific study of mental processes in human and non-human animals. B) the scientific study of the cause and treatment of mental illness. C) the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. D) the scientific investigation of unconscious mental processes.
C
The Snape Oil Supplement Company uses sincere and compelling testimonials and personal anecdotes to promote its products on TV infomercials. These testimonials: A) are acceptable scientific evidence. B) should be believed because they appear to be genuine and the products really did help these people as they claim. C) lack the basic controls used in research and are not acceptable scientific evidence. D) are a type of descriptive research method called naturalistic observation.
C
The brain's ability to physically change in response to environmental stimulation is called: A) aphasia. B) neurogenesis. C) structural plasticity. D) functional plasticity.
C
The founder of behaviorism was: A) G. Stanley Hall. B) William James. C) John Watson. D) Carl Rogers.
C
The fundamental laws of learning are a focus of the _____ perspective of psychology. A) cognitive B) humanistic C) behavioral D) cross-cultural
C
The perspective called positive psychology is concerned primarily with: A) helping people of all ages adjust, adapt, and cope with personal and interpersonal problems in such diverse areas as relationships, work, education, marriage, child rearing, and aging. B) the role of psychological factors in the development, prevention, and treatment of illness and developing ways of promoting health-enhancing behaviors. C) the study of positive emotions and psychological states, positive individual traits, and the social institutions that foster positive qualities in individuals and communities. D) studying the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of different types of behavioral and emotional disorders, such as anxiety, mood, or eating disorders.
C
The purpose of using a placebo control group in an experiment is often to: A) measure the effects of the dependent variable. B) dupe the subject into accepting the experiment's results. C) control for expectancy effects. D) persuade other researchers that the experiment is valid.
C
Theresa is attracted to a relatively new area of psychology that focuses on the conditions and processes that contribute to optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions. She believes that psychology should be concerned with optimistic, constructive emotions and psychological states and the institutions that foster these qualities in individuals and communities. Her views are most consistent with the _____ perspective in psychology. A) biological B) behavioral C) positive D) psychodynamic
C
Which of the following signals muscles to relax or contract? A) sensory neurons B) glial cells C) motor neurons D) interneurons
C
Which part of the neuron receives messages from other neurons? A) the axon B) the nucleus C) the dendrite D) the sodium ion membrane
C
Which type of research method is used to show that one variable causes change in another variable? A) naturalistic observation B) survey C) experimental method D) descriptive method
C
Who would have been most likely to say: "Why you behave the way you do is because of unconscious reasons, not reasons in your consciousness"? A) William James B) John B. Watson C) Sigmund Freud D) G. Stanley Hall
C
After a car crash, Tyler was left with a number of chronic and disabling health conditions and was having trouble adjusting to the situation. Tyler could benefit most from seeing a _____ psychologist. A) social B) personality C) psychodynamic D) rehabilitation
D
Humanistic psychology emphasized: A) the active role played by mental processes in organizing sensations into meaningful perceptions. B) the experimental study of overt, observable behaviors. C) unconscious determinants of personality and behavior. D) free will, self-determination, psychological growth, and human potential.
D
In a double-blind study: A) only the researcher knows which subjects have been exposed to the independent variable. B) both the researcher and the subjects know whether the subjects have been exposed to the independent variable. C) the subject is blindfolded during treatment. D) both the subjects and the researcher who interacts with them are unaware of which subjects have been exposed to the independent variable.
D
In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is: A) affected by changes in the dependent variable. B) unknown. C) beyond the researcher's control, as it independently varies or changes over time. D) deliberately manipulated by the researcher.
D
In contrast to the experimental method, the basic goal of the descriptive methods is to: A) investigate and refute "common sense" notions about human behavior. B) manipulate variables in a meaningful way. C) deduce valid operational definitions and generate new experiments. D) observe and describe behavior.
D
Key figures in the development of behaviorism include: A) Wundt, Titchener, and James. B) James, Watson, and Calkins. C) Maslow, Freud, and Rogers. D) Watson, Pavlov, and Skinner.
D
Like other scientists, psychologists are guided by the assumption that: A) only experimental data has scientific relevance. B) statistically significant results always have practical significance. C) certain phenomena will never be understood. D) events are lawful and ultimately explainable.
D
Of the following correlation coefficients, which represents the strongest relationship between two factors? A) -.15 B) +.03 C) +.38 D) -.80
D
The _____ perspective emphasizes studying the physical bases of human and animal behavior, including the nervous system and genetics. A) psychodynamic B) humanistic C) behavioral D) biological
D
The action potential is best defined as: A) the amount of serotonin that can cross the axon's membrane. B) the +3- to +7-volt capacity of a typical motor neuron. C) the ability of a motor neuron to either contract or relax a muscle group. D) a brief electrical impulse that transmits information along the axon of a neuron.
D
The action potential is produced by the: A) movement of neurotransmitters across the ion channels. B) opening and closing of the nodes in the myelin sheath. C) reuptake of the neurotransmitters into the vesicles. D) movement of ions across the membrane of the axon.
D
The amount of information that a neuron can receive increases with the number of _____ that the neuron has. A) axons B) cell bodies C) glial cells D) dendrites and dendrite branches
D
The brain's ability to shift functions from damaged to undamaged areas is called: A) aphasia. B) neurogenesis. C) structural plasticity. D) functional plasticity.
D
The point of communication between two neurons is called the: A) nucleus. B) node of Ranvier. C) ion channel. D) synapse.
D
The primary communication link between the left and right cerebral hemispheres is called: A) the hypothalamus. B) the hippocampus. C) Broca's area. D) the corpus callosum.
D
The right side of the brain controls movements on the left side of the body, such as the ability to kick your left leg. Where do the outgoing motor messages cross over? A) at the forebrain level B) at the midbrain level C) in the spinal cord D) at the hindbrain level
D
The three basic types of neurons are: A) glial cells, nodes of Ranvier, and myelin. B) dendritic neurons, axonal neurons, and body neurons. C) excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and interneurons. D) sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.
D
The word replicate refers to: A) a second statistical analysis of the study's results by an independent researcher. B) confirming a researcher's results with meta-analysis. C) a statistical technique. D) repeating a study using the same research methods but different research participants.
D
Watson and Skinner's contentions that psychology should study the laws of learning and outwardly observable behavior form the basis of which perspective in contemporary psychology? A) cognitive B) psychodynamic C) humanistic D) behavioral
D
Which of the following help regulate blood pressure, metabolism, and reproduction? A) myelin B) endorphins C) glial cells D) hormones
D