Psychology Final Exam
Electrically stimulating a rat's amygdala would most likely produce which of the following? Calmness A coma Memory loss Aggression Sleep
Aggression
Which of the following correctly describes the firing of neurons? A protoplasmic transfer of ions A finely graded response An all-or-none response An osmotic process A symbiotic function
An all-or-none response
Researchers have found a negative correlation between income and dental problems. What conclusion can correctly be drawn from this statement? Having a higher income causes fewer dental problems. As income increases, the likelihood of requiring dental care increases. As income increases, dental procedures become more affordable. A rise in the incidence of dental problems causes income to be lower. As income increases, the likelihood of dental problems decreases.
As income increases, the likelihood of dental problems decreases.
Participants were asked to rate the importance of achieving honor-roll status. Researchers found that students from smaller families rated the importance more highly than students from larger families. The research team concluded that a student's attitude toward school achievement is the result of family size. Which of the following is the most important error made by the research team? Perceiving order in random events Generalizing from extreme examples Using self-report data Failing to randomly assign participants to conditions Assuming that correlation proves causation
Assuming that correlation proves causation
The area labeled X in the drawing above denotes which of the following structures? Dendrites Nodes of Ranvier Axon terminals Mitochondria Glial cells
Axon terminals
3 4 5 5 7 7 7 8 8 10 Ten participants in a treatment group were asked to rate their feelings of self worth on a scale of one to ten, with a value of ten indicating a very positive feeling of self-worth. The data for the participants are above. What is the mode for these data? 4 5 6 7 8
7
Brain damage that leaves a person capable of understanding speech but with an impaired ability to produce speech most likely indicates injury to which of the following? The basal ganglia Wernicke's area The substantia nigra Broca's area The inferior colliculi
Broca's area
What is the best way to ensure that results of a study are generalizable to a population? By making sure to use as many participants as possible By making sure the results are significant By making sure to use an equal number of men and women By using random assignment By using a random selection of people in that population
By using a random selection of people in that population
The next questions refer to the labeled structures in the diagram of a synapse below. Which letter indicates the postsynaptic membrane? A B C D E
C
A person with a severe head injury subsequently acts irresponsibly, does not seem to be able to plan effectively, and is easy to anger. Which of the following brain areas is most likely injured? Cerebellum Hypothalamus Parietal lobe Frontal lobe Corpus callosum
Frontal lobe
Martin fell off his skateboard and badly bruised his elbow. He immediately began rubbing the area around the bruise until the pain subsided. This method of reducing pain can be explained by which of the following? Gate-control theory Opponent-process theory Trichromatic theory Expectancy theory Phantom pain
Gate-control theory
Elana recorded the height of all of her classmates and calculated the standard deviation. If everything else stayed the same, what change to the data would make the standard deviation increase? If the tallest person were taller If the shortest person were taller If everyone in the class were one inch taller If the tallest and shortest person were removed from the data set If someone whose height was exactly equal to the mean were added to the data set
If the tallest person was taller
A researcher randomly assigned boys and girls to each of two groups. One group watched a violent television program while the other group watched a nonviolent program. The children were then observed during a period of free play, and the incidence of aggressive behavior was recorded for each group. What is the dependent variable in this study? Sex of the children Duration of free play Type of television program viewed Level of televised violence Incidence of aggressive behavior
Incidence of aggressive behavior
Dr. Kucinski developed an English aptitude test to give to students who wish to register for his advanced English course. Which of the following is the best way to determine if his test has predictive validity? -Pretesting the test with a representative group of high school students -Administering the test twice to the same students and then comparing the scores -Dividing the test by odd- and even-numbered questions and then seeing if the scores from the two sets of questions are correlated -Examining the questions and making sure they only pertain to English classes and not to other classes -Comparing students' scores on the test with their final grades in his class
Comparing students' scores on the test with their final grades in his class
Which of the following scattergrams represents the data above? A B C D E
D
Which of the following is a disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin of neurons in the central nervous system? Parkinson's disease Multiple sclerosis Schizophrenia Epilepsy Rett syndrome
Multiple sclerosis
The argument over the relative contributions of heredity and environment in the development of various behaviors and personality traits is known as which of the following controversies? Continuous versus discrete Nature versus nurture Active versus passive Critical period versus sensitive period Ages versus stages
Nature versus nurture
Feature detectors are neurons that are turned on or off by specific features of visual stimuli like edges and movement. Where in the visual system are these feature detectors located? Occipital cortex Retina Optic chiasm Lens Cornea
Occipital cortex
Which of the following provides information regarding brain function by monitoring the brain at work through metabolism of glucose? Computed tomography (CT) Electrooculography (EOG) Electroencephalography (EEG) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Positron emission tomography (PET)
Positron emission tomography (PET)
In which of the following techniques do researchers inject a harmless, radioactive substance into the living human brain to examine activity? Lesioning Electroencephalogram (EEG) Computerized axial tomography (CAT) Positron-emission tomography (PET) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Positron-emission tomography (PET)
During the night, Alicia stops breathing repeatedly, frequently gasps for air, and snores loudly at regular intervals. Alicia is most likely suffering from which of the following conditions? Sleep apnea Narcolepsy Insomnia Night terrors The REM rebound effect
Sleep apnea
A psychology professor wants to investigate the study habits of students at her university. She cannot collect data from every student but hopes to use a subset of the students to draw accurate conclusions about the behavior of the student body. Which of the following features of research design will best address her goal? A double-blind procedure A single-blind procedure Random sampling Random assignment Informed consent
Random Sampling
Which of the following methods best limits the influence of unknown variables in an experiment? Random assignment Correlational study Debriefing Stratified sampling Subject matching
Random assignment
The following question(s) refer to the illustration below. What is the primary function of the brain region indicated by the arrow? Memory formation Sleeping, waking, and dreaming Problem solving Regulation of body temperature Emotional responses
Sleeping, waking, and dreaming
Which part of the brain represented above is indicated by A? Cerebellum Prefrontal cortex Somatosensory cortex Wernicke's area Broca's area
Somatosensory cortex
A psychologist gives the same test to a class of students at the beginning of the day and again at the end of the school day. The extent to which test scores are similar across the two administrations demonstrates which of the following test properties? Validity Reliability Standardization Statistical significance Utility
Reliability
Significant damage to which of the following parts of the brain will most likely cause a person to fall into a deep coma from which the person will be unable to awaken? Hypothalamus Frontal lobe Reticular formation Amygdala Thalamus
Reticular formation
If an individual has lost the ability to feel pain in the left arm, there is most likely damage to what area of the brain? Left occipital lobe Left parietal lobe Right frontal lobe Right parietal lobe Right occipital lobe
Right parietal lobe
The perceived pitch of a tone is largely determined by its loudness timbre amplitude complexity frequency
frequency
Lucid dreaming occurs when people: do not experience REM sleep experience night terrors eat large meals immediately before going to sleep have dreams in which they are aware that they are dreaming hallucinate
have dreams in which they are aware that they are dreaming
Stimulation of portions of the left temporal lobe of the brain during surgery will cause the patient to see light lose the sense of smell jerk the left arm extend the tongue hear sounds
hear sounds
Sara had an argument with her coworker, Adam. That night, Sara had a dream that she was shopping at a mall and Adam was in every store in which she shopped. A psychoanalyst would say that Adam's being at the mall in her dream was an example of which of the following? The manifest content The latent content Memory consolidation Repression A hypnagogic hallucination
The manifest content
Which of the following occurs when a neuron is stimulated to its threshold? The movements of sodium and potassium ions across the membrane creates an action potential. The neuron hyperpolarizes. Neurotransmitters are released from the dendrites. The absolute refractory period of the neuron prevents it from responding. The neuron's equilibrium potential is reached.
The movements of sodium and potassium ions across the membrane creates an action potential.
Domingo has just hit Play to begin listening to a new song he bought. Based on the structure of the ear, what will the sound waves contact first after moving through Domingo's auditory canal? The cochlea The auditory nerve The anvil The stirrup The eardrum
The eardrum
Which of the following characteristics is generally associated with the use of hallucinogens? The experience of vivid, distorted images that are not based on sensory input Improved memory function Decreased pain sensation and decreased anxiety Slower bodily functions The experience of brief euphoria followed by a depressive state
The experience of vivid, distorted images that are not based on sensory input
Sleep paralysis typically occurs in people who are over the age of 65 woken up while sleepwalking overweight snoring in REM sleep
in REM sleep
A survey shows that children who have encyclopedias in their homes earn better grades in school than children whose homes lack encyclopedias. The researcher concludes that having encyclopedias at home improves grades. This conclusion is erroneous primarily because the researcher has incorrectly failed to allow for experimenter bias identified the independent variable identified the dependent variable inferred correlation from causation inferred causation from correlation
inferred causation from correlation
For most people, speech functions are primarily localized in the right cerebral hemisphere left cerebral hemisphere occipital lobe corpus callosum cerebellum
left cerebral hemisphere
The network of structures involved in emotion, motivation, and memory is the limbic system pons corpus callosum occipital lobe parietal lobe
limbic system
A sound is often detected by one ear more intensely and a fraction of a second earlier than it is detected by the other ear. These cues help individuals determine the pitch of the sound wave timbre of the sound wave absolute threshold for sound perception frequency of the sound wave location of the source
location of the source
The brain's ability to adapt after it is damaged is known as integration plasticity polarization lateralization specificity
plasticity
The function of dendrites is to receive information from other neurons secrete neurotransmitters to the postsynaptic neuron provide energy for the synthesis of acetylcholine connect the cell body with the terminal branches speed up transmission of synaptic neurotransmitters
receive information from other neurons
The most common form of color blindness is related to deficiencies in the blue-yellow system red-green system process of visual summation bipolar cells secretion of rhodopsin
red-green system
A common psychological effect of alcohol intake is reduced inhibition anxiety enhanced memory psychosis heightened creativity
reduced inhibitionThe autonomic nervous system is most directly involved in
An evolutionary psychologist would explainthat humans desire social interaction, social acceptance, and social affiliation due to a need for achievement individualism behavioral change survival self-actualization
survival
Damage to a small part of the occipital lobe would most likely result in a speech deficit visual deficit motor deficit hearing loss slower heart rate
visual deficit
A researcher is studying the effect of caffeinated drinks on the activity level of ten-year-old children. Half of the children in the study drank caffeinated soda, and half drank noncaffeinated soda. Neither the research team nor the children knew which drinks had caffeine and which drinks did not. The researchers were using the placebo effect random selection a correlational study a single-blind design a double-blind design
a double-blind design
Reuptake of a neurotransmitter refers to absorption of the neurotransmitter into the dendrites of the receiving neuron absorption of the neurotransmitter into the terminal buttons of the sending neuron release of the neurotransmitter by the soma of the originating neuron the rate at which a neurotransmitter is created for use by a neuron the rate at which a neurotransmitter is broken down metabolically in the neuron
absorption of the neurotransmitter into the terminal buttons of the sending neuron
An individual was admitted to the hospital after experiencing a mild tingling on the right side ofthe face and a sudden inability to speak. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a doctor would likely find an abnormality in the brain tissue of the left hemisphere an increase in brain activity in the left frontal lobe an increase in blood flow to the right hemisphere an abnormal growth in the right frontal lobe a pattern of red and yellow highlighting activity in Broca's area
an abnormality in the brain tissue of the left hemisphere
A drug that has the effect of intensifying or mimicking a particular neurotransmitter can be characterized as a hallucinogen, because it has the reverse effect of an agonist an agonist, because it intensifies the effects of a particular neurotransmitter an antagonist, because it intensifies the effects of a particular neurotransmitter a reuptake inhibitor, because it increases activity of the central nervous system a stimulant, because it increases activity of the central nervous system
an agonist, because it intensifies the effects of a particular neurotransmitter
A basic assumption underlying the evolutionary approach to sexual attraction is that men seek potential mates who display financial resources have high social status appear fertile are taller than average are highly educated
appear fertile
A list of the presidents of the United States in chronological order up through the year 2000 is presented in the exact same manner to two classes of students, and they are then asked to recall them. A fourth-grade class is tested in the morning and a sixth-grade class is tested in the afternoon. The percent recall for both classes was combined and is presented in the figure above. The teacher noticed that the afternoon class recalled more presidents than the morning class did and concluded that this was caused by time of day. Which of the following is a confounding variable? The gender of the students The size of the school The grade level of the students The type of test used The attitude of the teacher
The grade level of the students
The autonomic nervous system is most directly involved in driving a car reading a textbook sensing painful stimuli digesting food experiencing pain
digesting food
Which of the following neurotransmitters has been linked to Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia? Acetylcholine Dopamine Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Norepinephrine Serotonin
dopamine
The coiled tube in the inner ear that contains the auditory receptors is called the semicircular canal ossicle pinna cochlea oval window
cochlea
To determine whether a research finding is statistically significant, researchers compare the means of the control group and experimental group. survey other researchers to ensure the hypothesis is significant. perform detailed case studies to validate findings. confirm correlational evidence with empirical findings. convert positive correlations to negative ones.
compare the means of the control group and experimental group.
An individual with damage to Wernicke's area is most likely to have difficulty identifying an object held in the hand but not seen planning what to wear to a party remembering the name of a person in a photograph comprehending a spoken request for information distinguishing between red and green
comprehending a spoken request for information
A teacher creates a test that will predict how well a student will do as a commercial airline pilot. The test is taken before the training, and then the teacher correlates the test score to the number of safe flying hours. The teacher is trying to determine whether the test has face validity content validity criterion-related validity test-retest reliability split-half reliability
criterion-related validity
In terms of the effect on the central nervous system, alcohol is most accurately classified as which of the following types of drug? Depressant Narcotic Psychoactive Stimulant Hallucinogen
Depressant
Which of the following research approaches would be best for testing the hypothesis that the presence of certain odors causes people to gamble more? Experimental Observational Correlational Survey Case study
Experimental
10, 3, 5, 7, 10, 3, 10, 5, 2 The numbers above represent the quiz results for a psychology class. What is the median score for the class? 2 3 5 7 10
5
3 4 5 5 7 7 7 8 8 10 Ten participants in a treatment group were asked to rate their feelings of self worth on a scale of one to ten, with a value of ten indicating a very positive feeling of self-worth. The data for the participants are above. What is the mean for these data? 6 6.4 7 7.33 7.5
6.4
Which of the following is a circadian rhythm? The ebb and flow of an individual's emotions during a 24-hour period Jet lag experienced after an airline flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo A cycle of biological functioning that lasts about 25 hours The series of five stages that people go through during a normal night's sleep The systematic alternation between alpha waves and delta waves during the different sleep stages
A cycle of biological functioning that lasts about 25 hours
Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system results in which of the following? An increase in pupil dilation An increase in respiratory rate A decrease in digestion A decrease in salivation A decrease in heart rate
A decrease in heart rate
Which of the following studies is from an evolutionary perspective? A study to see if people who had a more congruent view of their real self and their ideal self were happier A study to see if women were more attracted to men who liked children than men who did not like children A study examining whether children wanted to marry their opposite-sex parent when they grew up A study looking at how biological, psychological, and social factors affect development A study looking at how quickly a variable-ratio schedule of reinforcement leads to extinction resistant behaviors
A study to see if women were more attracted to men who liked children than men who did not like children
Which of the following is classified as an antagonist? Cocaine, because it floods the brain with dopamine. Mescaline, because it floods the brain with dopamine. An amphetamine, because they lead to increased central nervous system activity. A tricyclic antidepressant, because they block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. Prozac®, because it blocks the reuptake of serotonin.
A tricyclic antidepressant, because they block serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.
The depletion of which of the following neurotransmitters is most closely associated with the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? Dopamine Acetylcholine Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Serotonin Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine
Sally says that her dream about going to a circus is just her brain attempting to make sense of random stimulation from the brain stem. Sally's explanation is consistent with which of the following theories of dreaming? Housekeeping Feedback deprivation Wish fulfillment Cognitive problem-solving Activation-synthesis
Activation-synthesis
During the high-wire act, Grace walks along a rope suspended 30 feet above the circus floor. Which of the following is most involved in helping Grace coordinate her movements and maintain her balance during the performance? Cerebellum Hypothalamus Hippocampus Sympathetic nervous system Parasympathetic nervous system
Cerebellum
Which of the following is true of the frequency distributions shown in the graphs above? Distribution A has more variation than distributions B or C. Distribution B has more variation than distributions A or C. Distribution B and distribution C have the same variation. The standard deviation of distribution A is infinite. The standard deviation of distribution B is zero.
Distribution B has more variation than distributions A or C.
Cocaine blocks the reuptake of which neurotransmitter? Epinephrine Endorphins Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Substance P Dopamine
Dopamine
Which of the following neurotransmitters has been linked to Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia? Acetylcholine Dopamine Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) Norepinephrine Serotonin
Dopamine
In the figure above, what letter corresponds to the nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain? A B C D E
E
Which theory of motivation is most likely to suggest that a younger woman would be attracted to an older man because of his greater ability to provide for her? Evolutionary Hierarchy of needs Arousal Instinct Drive-reduction
Evolutionary
Latisha noticed that in the early evening she begins to have difficulty seeing the vibrant colors in her artwork. Which of the following best explains her difficulty? Her rods are functioning improperly and are not sensing color. Her cones cannot detect color well in dim light. Light adaptation prevents sensation of color. Lateral antagonism inhibits color sensation. Her optic chiasm is not correctly transferring color neural impulses.
Her cones cannot detect color well in dim light.
Following a mild stroke, Sam ate much more than normal and gained 50 pounds within a year. What part of the brain was most likely damaged? Thalamus Cerebellum Hippocampus Hypothalamus Occipital lobe
Hypothalamus
In adult humans, which of the following is typically true of REM sleep? It is correlated with dreaming. It leads to a marked increase in muscle tone. It alternates with NREM sleep in 30-minute cycles. It occurs during the first half of an individual's sleep cycle. It involves decreased blood pressure and heart rate.
It is correlated with dreaming.
REM sleep, generally an "active" state of sleep, is accompanied by which of the following paradoxical characteristics? Slowed heart rate Slowed respiration rate Lowered blood pressure Lowered muscle tone Reduced eye movements
Lowered muscle tone
Which of the following is brain-imaging technique that produces the most detailed picture of brain structure? Electroencephalography (EEG) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Positron emission tomography (PET) Computerized axial tomography (CAT) Electromyography (EMG)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Which of the following neurotransmitters has been most associated with major depressive disorder? Acetylcholine Dopamine Histamine Serotonin Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
Serotonin
Which of the following are NOT part of a neuron? Synapses Dendrites Somas Axons Axon terminals
Synapses
George was involved in an accident and experienced head trauma. Although his eyes were functioning normally, he was unable to see. Which area of the brain was most likely affected by the accident? The parietal lobe The occipital lobe The hippocampus Wernicke's area Broca's area
The occipital lobe
Operational definitions are used for which of the following reasons? -They enable researchers to replicate studies by precisely describing the variables and how they are used. -They exclude mental processes from being studied, as they are no longer considered part of the scientific study of psychology. -They determine which test of statistical significance will be used to analyze the results of the experiment. -They keep the participants in the control group from knowing they have received the placebo. -They determine whether the experiment is better suited for a laboratory or a field setting.
They enable researchers to replicate studies by precisely describing the variables and how they are used.
A researcher randomly assigned boys and girls to each of two groups. One group watched a violent television program while the other group watched a nonviolent program. The children were then observed during a period of free play, and the incidence of aggressive behavior was recorded for each group. What is the independent variable in this study? Incidence of aggressive behavior Type of television program viewed Sex of the children Number of groups Duration of free play
Type of television program viewed
A person will most likely develop aphasia as a result of damage to which of the following parts of the brain? Occipital lobe Wernicke's area Auditory cortex Parietal lobe Basal ganglia
Wernicke's area
A person displays a set of rare behaviors that psychologists had not known about previously, because nobody had ever shown them before. The best strategy to investigate the nature of those behaviors is an experiment a survey a case study cross-sectional research correlational research
a case study
When struck by light energy, cones and rods in the retina generate neural signals that then activate the parietal lobe ganglion cells bipolar cells ciliary muscle optic nerve fibers
bipolar cells
Drawing a random sample of people from a town for an interview study of social attitudes ensures that each person in the town has the same probability of being chosen for the study an equal number of males and females are selected for interviews the study includes at least some respondents from every social class in town the study will uncover widely differing social attitudes among the respondents the sample will be large enough even though some people may refuse to be interviewed
each person in the town has the same probability of being chosen for the study
A participant in a study of music perception listens to music with electrodes attached to her scalp while data are collected on the activity of her brain. This technique is called electroencephalography (EEG) computed tomography (CT) positron-emission tomography (PET) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
electroencephalography (EEG)
The diagram above depicts the human body's immune system somatic nervous system parasympathetic nervous system sympathetic nervous system endocrine system
endocrine system
People who have experienced severe damage to the frontal lobe of the brain seldom regain their ability to make and carry out plans recognize visual patterns process auditory information process olfactory information integrate their multiple personalities
make and carry out plans
Experimental research differs from correlational research in that experimental research allows for prediction may reveal a causal relation establishes a mathematical relation defines the strength of the relation uses a dependent variable
may reveal a causal relation
The area of the brain stem that is important in controlling breathing is the suprachiasmatic nucleus cerebellum limbic system medulla hippocampus
medulla
The correlation between two measures obtained on a group of individuals is graphically represented as a bar graph normal distribution histogram scatterplot frequency polygon
scatterplot
The rhythmic bursts of brain activity that occurs during NREM-2 sleep are called alpha waves. circadian rhythms. sleep spindles. delta waves. amplitude waves.
sleep spindles.
The thalamus processes information for all of the following senses EXCEPT smell hearing taste vision touch
smell
Gustatory receptors are sensitive to all of the following taste qualities EXCEPT bitter sweet salty spicy sour
spicy
Ben was enjoying a walk in the woods on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. As he went around a curve, he noticed a bear walking toward him. Immediately his pupils dilated, he began to perspire, and his heart accelerated. These changes are most closely related to the function of the angular gyrus hippocampus parasympathetic nervous system sympathetic nervous system ventricular system
sympathetic nervous system
Immediately after firing, a neuron is incapable of responding to stimulation. This condition is referred to as the action potential the threshold difference specific energy of the nerve the absolute refractory phase depolarization
the absolute refractory phase
The process of converting incoming physical energy into a neural code that can be processed is called transduction sensory threshold sensory adaptation parallel processing transferred excitation
transduction
