Psychology prologue-ch 3

Severing a cat's reticular formation from higher brain regions causes the cat to a. lapse into a coma. b. cower in fear. c. experience convulsive seizures. d. become violently aggressive

a) lapse into a coma

The speed at which a neural impulse travels is increased when the axon is encased by a(n) a. myelin sheath. b. synaptic vesicle. c. endorphin. d. glial cell

a) myelin sheath

The hypothalamus influences the ________ to send messages to the ________. a. pituitary gland; endocrine glands b. adrenal glands; pancreas c. somatic nervous system; autonomic nervous system d. motor neurons; sensory neurons

a) pituitary gland; endocrine glands

Martin Seligman and others believe that more research is needed to examine human flourishing. Their approach is called a) positive psychology b) community psychology c) behaviorism d) humanism

a) positive psychology

The idea that "people's emotions and personal beliefs often override their acceptance of objective facts" is expressed in the dictionary definition of a) post-truth b) false news c) repetition d) powerful examples

a) post-truth

Simple reflexes are controlled by the a. spinal cord. b. amygdala c. pons. d. cerebral cortex.

a) spinal cord

In one analysis of 126,000 stories tweeted by 3 million people false information was ________ as compared with true information. a) spread farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly b) less likely to be believed c) more easily accessible d) less likely to be shared

a) spread farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly

Erika is participating in a study in which she completes tasks while electrodes are placed on her scalp to record waves of electrical activity on the brain's surface. Which brain imaging technique is being used? a. EEG b. PET scan c. MEG d. MRI

a) EEG

To detect Mr. Wagner's loss of brain tissue from a type of dementia, his physicians are most likely to request that he receive a(n) a. MRI scan. b. PET scan. c. fNIRS. d. EEG.

a) MRI scan

Who was the first female president of the American Psychological Association? a) Mary Whiton Calkins b) Jean Piaget c) Margaret Floy Washburn d) Margaret James

a) Mary Whiton Calkins

The first psychology laboratory was established by a) Wilhelm Wundt b) John Watson c) Jean Piaget d) Sigmund Freud

a) Wilhelm Wundt

The case study is a research method in which a) a single individual or group is studied in great depth b) a representative sample of people are questioned regarding their opinions or behaviors c) organisms are carefully observed in a laboratory environment d) an investigator manipulates one or more variables that might affect behavior

a) a single individual or group is studied in great depth

The empirical approach is best described as a) an evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation b) the study of the evolved functions of our thoughts and feelings c) a system for examining assumptions and discerning hidden values d) a method of self-reflective introspection

a) an evidence-based method that draws on observation and experimentation

Terrance always takes notes by hand during class rather than on his laptop, as most of his classmates do. He has found that he often scores higher on class exams than classmates who use their device for note taking. One potential reason for his higher grades is that a) taking notes by hand requires active processing of information b) he rarely misses class c) the use of technology in the classroom requires active processing of information d) he sits toward the front of the classroom

a) taking notes by hand requires active processing of information

The ________ receives replies regarding the senses from higher brain regions and then directs the information to the medulla and the cerebellum. a. thalamus b. hypothalamus c. reticular formation d. pons

a) thalamus

A neurosurgeon begins to sedate the entire left cerebral hemisphere of a patient, who is instructed to count aloud with both arms in the air. What will most likely happen? a. The patient's right arm will fall limp, and the patient will become speechless. b. The patient's right arm will fall limp, but the patient will continue counting aloud. c. The patient's left arm will fall limp, but the patient will continue counting aloud. d. The patient's left arm will fall limp, and the patient will become speechless

a. The patient's right arm will fall limp, and the patient will become speechless.

About 85 percent of human brain weight comes from the a. cerebrum. b. frontal lobes. c. hippocampus. d. corpus callosum.

a. cerebrum.

Emotional disturbances, suspiciousness, convulsions, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure are disturbances most closely associated with the use of a. cocaine. b. marijuana. c. barbiturates. d. heroin.

a. cocaine.

Charlotte has taken two Ecstasy pills before attending an all-night dance party. One of the immediate dangers of using the drug at this event is a. dehydration. b. lethargy. c. pupil constriction. d. increased appetite.

a. dehydration.

Sleep deprivation increases levels of the hunger-arousing hormone ________ and decreases levels of the hunger-suppressing hormone ________. a. ghrelin; leptin b. serotonin; orexin c. melatonin; cortisol d. epinephrine; norepinephrine

a. ghrelin; leptin

Research studies of the content of dreams indicate that a. most dreams are marked by at least one negative event or emotion. b. most dreams are pleasant, exotic, and unrelated to ordinary daily life. c. the genital arousal that occurs during sleep is typically related to sexual dreams. d. men are less likely than women to report dreams with sexual overtones.

a. most dreams are marked by at least one negative event or emotion.

Research on sleep and dreaming confirms that a. the brain's auditory cortex responds to sound stimuli even during sleep. b. while some people dream every night, others seldom dream. c. older adults sleep more than young adults. d. sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.

a. the brain's auditory cortex responds to sound stimuli even during sleep.

The pair of cell clusters in the hypothalamus that controls our circadian rhythm is a. the suprachiasmatic nucleus. b. hypnagogic sensation. c. the hippocampus. d. melatonin.

a. the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

The process of forming new neurons within the brain is called a. neuroplasticity. b. neurogenesis. c. cognitive neural prosthetics. d. lateralization.

b) neurogenesis

Zoe and her husband had an argument over dinner. Although they made up, Zoe still feels angry hours later. Why is this? a. Peripheral nervous system messages last an extended period. b. Endocrine system messages last an extended period. c. Parasympathetic nervous system messages last an extended period. d. Central nervous system messages last an extended period.

b) Endocrine system messages last an extended period

After an experiment, research participants are told its purpose and about any deception they may have experiences. This is called a) replication b) debriefing c) the double-blind procedure d) informed consent

b) debriefing

The hindsight bias refers to people's tendency to a) dismiss the value of skepticism b) exaggerate their ability to have foreseen an outcome c) overestimate the extent to which others share their opinions d) reject any ideas that can't be scientifically tested

b) exaggerate their ability to have foreseen an outcome

The early school of psychology that focused on how mental and behavioral processes enable us to adapt and survive was called a) behaviorism b) functionalism c) behavior genetics d) structuralism

b) functionalism

averages derived from scores with ______ variability are more reliable than averages based on scores with ______ a) low range; high ranges b) low variability; high variability c)high ranges; low ranges d) high variability; low variability

b) low variability; high variability

The median of a distribution of scores is the a) most frequently occurring score b) middle score in a distribution of scores c) difference between the highest and lowest scores d) arithmetic average of all the scores

b) middle score in a distribution of scores

One research team studied the ups and downs of human moods by counting positive and negative words in 504 million Twitter messages from 84 countries. The researchers' method best illustrates the use of a) survey b) naturalistic observation c) case studies d) experimentation

b) naturalistic observation

A theory is an explanation using an integrated set of principle that ____ observations and ____ behaviors or events a) replicates; controls b) organizes; predicts c) randomly samples; randomly assigns d) questions; surveys

b) organizes; predicts

After discovering that the shadows outside his window were only the trees in the yard, James' blood pressure decreased and his heartbeat slowed. These physical reactions were most directly regulated by his a. sensory nervous system. b. parasympathetic nervous system. c. sympathetic nervous system. d. somatic nervous system.

b) parasympathetic nervous system

The part of the brainstem that helps to coordinate movements and control sleep is called the a. hypothalamus. b. pons. c. hippocampus. d. amygdala.

b) pons

Dr. Vaughn has publicly communicated her planned research design and hypotheses. She has also communicated how she plans to collect data and anticipated analyses that will be used to test her study hypotheses. This is known as a) a meta-analysis b) preregistration c) peer review d) repetition

b) preregistration

The occipital lobes are to ________ as the temporal lobes are to ________. a. speaking; hearing b. seeing; hearing c. hearing; sensing movement d. seeing; sensing touch

b) seeing; hearing

Which part of the brain specializes in receiving information from the skin senses and from the movement of body parts? a. frontal lobes b. somatosensory cortex c. association areas d. motor cortex

b) somatosensory cortex

An altered state of consciousness similar to that of a near-death experience is most likely to result from the use of a. heroin. b. LSD. c. marijuana. d. cocaine.

b. LSD.

Alicia is sleeping and is currently dreaming. Which sleep stage is she in? a. N3 b. REM c. N2 d. N1

b. REM

Any drug molecule that occupies a neurotransmitter receptor site and blocks the neurotransmitter's effect is a(n) a. opiate. b. antagonist. c. glutamate. d. agonist.

b. antagonist.

A condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it is known as a. choice blindness. b. blindsight. c. the cocktail party effect. d. change blindness.

b. blindsight.

After suffering a trauma, people commonly report nightmares. One of the benefits of these nightmares is that they help a. increase REM rebound. b. extinguish daytime fears. c. prevent paradoxical sleep. d. reduce sleep apnea.

b. extinguish daytime fears.

People's moral judgments are most likely to seem unrestrained by normal emotions if they have suffered damage to their a. hippocampus. b. frontal cortex. c. somatosensory cortex. d. corpus callosum.

b. frontal cortex.

The neural center in the limbic system that processes explicit memories for storage is called the a. hypothalamus. b. hippocampus. c. thalamus. d. medulla.

b. hippocampus.

Abigail has realized that both her heartbeat and breathing are automatic functions that she does not have to consciously think about. The part of her brain that regulates these functions is her a. cerebellum. b. medulla. c. reticular formation. d. thalamus.

b. medulla.

Which substance has the negative aftereffects of seizures, insomnia, irritability, and hypertension? a. caffeine b. methamphetamine c. nicotine d. heroin

b. methamphetamine

The cocktail party effect provides an example of a. change blindness. b. selective attention. c. dual processing. d. blindsight.

b. selective attention.

Recurring symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal are an indication of a. hallucinogens. b. substance use disorder. c. a near-death experience. d. memory disruption.

b. substance use disorder.

Which portion of the cerebral cortex is located nearest the top of the head just behind the frontal lobes and receives sensory input for touch and body position? a. parietal lobes b. temporal lobes c. occipital lobes d. hippocampus

b. temporal lobes

Which of the following correlation coefficients expresses the weakest degree of relationship between two variables? a) -.99 b) +.20 c) -.15 d) -.65

c) -.15

By measuring magnetic fields from the brain's natural electrical activity, researchers are able to understand how certain tasks are related to brain activity in certain areas. This technique is called a(n) a. EEG. b. PET scan. c. MEG. d. MRI.

c) MEG

Which of the following is a statistical measure of both the direction and the strength of a relationship between two variables? a) an operational definition b) a theory c) a correlation coefficient d) the descriptive method

c) a correlation coefficient

The $40 million Human Connectome Project harnesses ________ technology to map neural connections across long distances within the brain. a. positron emission tomography b. electroencephalogram c. diffusion spectrum imaging d. microelectrode insertion

c) diffusion spectrum imaging

British researchers randomly assigned 424 hospitalized premature infants either to formula feeding or to breast-milk feeding. They found that on intelligence tests taken at the age of 8, those who were breast-fed significantly scored higher than those who were formula-fed. These researchers conducted a(n) a) naturalistic observation b) survey c) experiment d) correlational design

c) experiment

The motor cortex is located at the rear of the ________ lobes. a. parietal b. occipital c. frontal d. temporal

c) frontal

Recognizing that our explanations for our own and others' behaviors may be incorrect best illustrates an element of the scientific attitude known as a) self-control b) practicality c) humility d) curiosity

c) humility

In a psychological experiment, the experimental factor that is manipulated by the investigator is called the ________ variable. a) control b) dependent c) independent d) experimental

c) independent

The brain's ability to change by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience is known as a. dendrites. b. an action potential. c. neuroplasticity. d. phrenology.

c) neuroplasticity

A statement describing the exact procedures for measuring an anticipated experimental outcome is know as a(n) a) replication b) hypothesis c) operational definition d) control condition

c) operational definition

With assistance from the ________, the cerebellum coordinates ________. a) hypothalamus; hunger and thirst b) medulla; fear and rage c) pons; voluntary movement d) amygdala; heartbeat and breathing

c) pons; voluntary movement

Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic fields and ________ to produce computer-generated images of soft tissue. a. electrodes placed on the scalp b. brain lesions c. radio waves d. a radioactive form of glucose

c) radio waves

Reduced arousal to threatening stimuli has been associated with a(n) a. smaller-than-average frontal lobe. b. large hypothalamus. c. smaller-than-average amygdala. d. underactive limbic system.

c) smaller-than-average amygdala

The corpus callosum is a wide band of axon fibers that a. enables the left hemisphere to control the right side of the body. b. controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs. c. transmits information between the cerebral hemispheres. d. transfers neural impulses from the somatosensory cortex to the motor cortex.

c) transmits information between the cerebral hemispheres

In their research on people's perception of how prisoners accused of terrorism are questioned, Dr. Pedersen and Dr. MacDonald have found that people are more approving of "enhanced interrogation" than "torture." This finding demonstrates which of the following? a) survey b) case study c) wording effect d) naturalistic observation

c) wording effect

Circadian rhythm refers to a. the experience of sleep apnea following a lengthy transoceanic plane flight. b. the pattern of emotional ups and downs we routinely experience. c. a pattern of biological functioning that occurs on a roughly 24-hour cycle. d. the cycle of four distinct stages that we experience during a normal night's sleep.

c. a pattern of biological functioning that occurs on a roughly 24-hour cycle.

The ________ of an alert, waking state and the regular ________ of an awake, relaxed state differ from the slower, larger ________ of deep N3 sleep. a. beta waves; delta waves; alpha waves b. delta waves; alpha waves; beta waves c. beta waves; alpha waves; delta waves d. alpha waves; beta waves; delta waves

c. beta waves; alpha waves; delta waves

The sequence of brain regions from the oldest to newest is a. brainstem, cerebral cortex, limbic system. b. limbic system, cerebral cortex, brainstem. c. brainstem, limbic system, cerebral cortex. d. limbic system, brainstem, cerebral cortex.

c. brainstem, limbic system, cerebral cortex.

Repeated use of an opiate a. triggers auditory as well as visual hallucinations. b. increases heart and breathing rates. c. decreases the brain's production of endorphins. d. is not associated with any serious withdrawal symptoms.

c. decreases the brain's production of endorphins.

Which brain cells play a role in learning, thinking, and memory by communicating with neurons? a. endorphins b. myelin cells c. glial cells d. agonists

c. glial cells

Failing to see visible objects when our attention is directed elsewhere is called a. parallel processing. b. blindsight. c. inattentional blindness. d. the cocktail party effect.

c. inattentional blindness.

Gloria had a stroke that damaged the right side of her brain. Yet, she has difficulty moving her left arm, not her right arm. This indicates that the a. association areas of the brain control movements of all body parts. b. motor cortex on the right side of the brain controls movements of specific body parts on the right side of the body. c. motor cortex on the right side of the brain controls movements of specific body parts on the opposite side of the body. d. somatosensory cortex is responsible for phantom limb movements.

c. motor cortex on the right side of the brain controls movements of specific body parts on the opposite side of the body

It is around 11:00 p.m. and Mark is beginning to feel extremely sleepy. This is because melatonin is being released by the a. pituitary gland. b. thyroid gland. c. pineal gland. d. hypothalamus.

c. pineal gland.

The function of dendrites is to a. release neurotransmitters into the spatial junctions between neurons. b. coordinate the activation of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. c. receive incoming signals from other neurons. d. control pain through the release of opiate-like chemicals into the brain

c. receive incoming signals from other neurons.

Humanistic psychologists such as ________ emphasized people's growth potential. a) Wundt and Titchener b) Watson and Skinner c) Freud and James d) Rogers and Maslow

d) Rogers and Maslow

An inverse relationship in which scores for one variable increase as scores for another variable decrease represents a) random assignment b) a confounding variable c) replication d) a negative correlation

d) a negative correlation

A factor other than the independent variable that might produce and effect in an experiment is called a a) correlation coefficient b) wording effect c) placebo effect d) confounding variable

d) confounding variable

By binding Alvin's right hand to his side, doctors helped him to use and improve the coordination skills of his left hand. The doctors employed a technique known as a. cognitive neural prosthetics. b. lateralization. c. neurogenesis. d. constraint-induced therapy.

d) constraint-induced therapy

Dr. Jamison has used his observations of people at work to justify a cause-effect conclusion. Questioning the validity of drawing this conclusion from the evidence best illustrates a) Freudian psychology b) introspection c) a biopsychosocial approach d) critical thinking

d) critical thinking

In a psychological experiment, the factor that may be influenced by the manipulated experimental treatment is called the ________ variable a) experimental b) control c) independent d) dependent

d) dependent

Jessica and her mother are arguing over Jessica's daily chores. She has forgotten to do them again. The brain imaging technique that would show which areas of Jessica's brain are active as she argues with her mother is the a. MRI. b. EEG. c. PET scan. d. fMRI.

d) fMRI

Vishal believes that the Earth is flat and has befriended several people on social media who also hold this view. This is an example of how ________ can feed the acceptance of misinformation. a) false news b) availability fo powerful examples c) repetition d) group identity

d) group identity

When every individual in a large population has a small but equal chance of being included in a survey, researchers are using a procedure known as a) the double-blind procedure b) naturalistic observation c) the case study d) random sampling

d) random sampling

Professor Z is studying the effect of exposure to sexual content on sexual thoughts. She assigns students to one of two conditions. In the first condition, participants are exposed to explicit sexual content and then given a word-completion task, which involves filling in the letter missing from each word. Based on the letter added, the word could be of a sexual nature or not. For instance, b_d could be completed as "bed," indicating sexual thought, or as "bad," which has no sexual connotation. In the second condition, participants are not exposed to explicit sexual content but are assigned the same word-completion task. To ensure ethical treatment of participants, Professor Z will NOT need to a) obtain participants' informed consent prior to participation b) protect his participants from harm and discomfort c) keep personal information about participants confidential d) report the results of individual participants

d) report the results of individual participants

Edward Titchener trained people to report elements of their experience and promoted a school of thought known as a) behaviorism b) functionalism c) humanistic psychology d) structuralism

d) structuralism

Dr. Bole is studying the relationship between background noise and college students' ability to study. He randomly assigns students to one of two groups. The first group studies in a noisy room; the second group studies in a quiet room. Which is the experimental group? a) the group of students who studied in the quiet room b) there is no experimental group because this is a naturalistic observation research design c) the group of students who were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions d) the group of students who studied in the noisy room

d) the group of students who studied in the noisy room

Regression toward the mean refers to the tendency for a) changes in one factor to predict changes in another factor b) pessimistic thinking to trigger episodes of depression c) a placebo pill to reduce suffering d) unusual scores or events to be followed by more ordinary scores or events

d) unusual scores or events to be followed by more ordinary scores or events

Anything that can vary and is feasible and ethical to measure is called a(n) a) integer b) coefficient c) scatterplot d) variable

d) variable

Charlize suffers from insomnia. Which of the following is a natural sleep aid that she can try? a. Watch the time closely so that she goes to bed on time. b. Browse her cell phone while in bed c. Watch a movie before going to bed d. Exercise regularly but not in the late evening.

d. Exercise regularly but not in the late evening.

Which of the following is NOT associated with marijuana use? a. It is related to increased traffic accidents. b. It reduces chronic pain. c. It is related to chronic bronchitis. d. It causes lung cancer.

d. It causes lung cancer.

Hypnagogic sensations are most closely associated with ________ sleep. a. N3 b. REM c. N2 d. N1

d. N1

Cognitive neuroscience is most directly concerned with studying connections between a. selective attention and accidents. b. evolution and natural selection. c. selective attention and daydreams. d. brain activity and thought processes.

d. brain activity and thought processes.

Psychedelic drugs, which distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input, are called a. amphetamines. b. barbiturates. c. opiates. d. hallucinogens.

d. hallucinogens.

During sleep, memories stored in the ________ are moved to permanent storage in areas of the cortex. a. amygdala b. thalamus c. suprachiasmatic nucleus d. hippocampus

d. hippocampus

Particularly among men, sleep apnea is linked with a. narcolepsy. b. sleepwalking. c. night terrors. d. obesity.

d. obesity.

Most psychologists define consciousness as a. waking awareness and altered states of observation. b. observations of behavior. c. mental processes. d. our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment.

d. our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment.

The processing of many aspects of a problem simultaneously is called a. blindsight. b. inattentional blindness. c. the cocktail party effect. d. parallel processing.

d. parallel processing.

Chemical substances that alter perceptions and moods are called ________ drugs. a. disinhibiting b. neuroadaptive c. dehydrating d. psychoactive

d. psychoactive

The rhythmic bursts of brain activity that occur during N2 sleep are called a. delta waves. b. alpha waves. c. circadian rhythms. d. sleep spindles.

d. sleep spindles.

Cocaine is classified as a(n) a. opiate. b. depressant. c. hallucinogen. d. stimulant.

d. stimulant.

An axon is a. a molecule that blocks neurotransmitter receptor sites. b. a layer of fatty tissue that encases the fibers of many neurons. c. a cell that serves as the basic building block of the nervous system. d. the extension of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body.

d. the extension of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body.