Test 1: Chapter 1-2

Which of the following statements related to the scientific method is FALSE?

A theory can generate only one hypothesis.

Which of the following is true of neuroscience as a contemporary approach to psychology?

It emphasizes that the brain is central to understanding behavior, thought, and emotion.

Which of the following is true of the neurotransmitter serotonin?

It is involved in the regulation of mood and attention

Which of the following is true with regard to the association cortex?

It is the site of the highest intellectual functions, such as thinking and problem solving.

In the context of the neural impulse, which of the following is true about the depolarization of neuron membranes?

It occurs when there is a decrease in the charge difference between the fluids inside and outside of the neuron.

_____ involves the manipulation of genes using technology to determine their effect on behavior.

Molecular genetics

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

She may be blind or unable to see clearly.

_____ involves using introspection to investigate the components of the mind, whereas _____ probed the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior in the individual's adaptation to the environment.

Structuralism/functionalism

The brief wave of positive electrical charge that sweeps down the axon is

action potential

Ellie has recently experienced irregular mood swings. Her energy level has decreased and she seems to have greater difficulty coping with stress. Based on her symptoms, it seems as though Ellie may have problems with her _____ glands.

adrenal

The sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system are components of the

autonomic nervous system.

The _____ approach emphasizes the scientific study of observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants.

behavioral

According to _____ psychologists, your brain houses a "mind" whose mental processes allow you to remember, make decisions, plan, set goals, and be creative.

cognitive

When the axons of healthy neurons adjacent to damaged cells grow new branches, _____ has occurred.

collateral sprouting

Arnold Becker, a doctor in Seattle, needs information about the location and extent of damage involving stroke and loss of memory of his patient, Judith. Which of the following techniques will he most likely use to diagnose Judith's condition

computerized axial tomography (CAT scan)

In correlations research, third variables are also called

confounds

The endocrine system

consists of glands that regulate the activities of certain organs by releasing hormones into the bloodstream.

Aaron wants to study the association between sleep deprivation and the number of hours spent on a computer every day. He is not keen to establish causation, but would like to determine whether and how the increase or decrease in one variable is related to the increase or decrease in the other variable. Which of the following research methods is likely to be most effective for Aaron's study?

correlational research

Dr. Grant is conducting research on stress management. Group A received progressive relaxation training prior to test taking, while Group B received no training. Group A is the _____, while Group B is the _____.

experimental group/control group

Dr. Aoki used double-blind procedures in his experiments to reduce the potential for

experimenter bias and participant bias.

William James, a prominent American psychologist and philosopher, focused on human interactions with the outside world to understand the purpose of thoughts. His view is known as

functionalism.

A _____ is a person's genetic heritage, his or her actual genetic material.

genotype

An experimenter studies the relationship between caffeine and reaction time. She designs her experiment with four groups. Group one receives 100 mg of caffeine each in their cups of coffee; group two receives 200 mg of caffeine each in their cups of coffee; group three receives 300 mg of caffeine each in their cups of coffee; and group four receives no coffee. Twenty minutes later, participants from all the groups are given a reaction-time test. In this experiment, which group is the control group?

group 4

Dennis, a psychologist, conducts a survey on why most people tend to help a crying child. After the survey, he explains that most people help a crying child because they choose to live by higher values such as altruism. In this scenario, Dennis's explanation is reflective of the _____ approach to psychology.

humanistic

In an experiment, the _____ is conceptualized as the "potential cause" and the _____ is conceptualized as the "effect."

independent variable/dependent variable

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in

learning and memory.

Which part of the nervous system regulates breathing and heart rate?

medulla

The _____ is the part of the cerebral cortex that processes information about voluntary muscle movement.

motor cortex

In multiple sclerosis, identify the part of a neuron that typically hardens and disrupts the flow of information through neurons.

myelin sheath

Psychology began as a science in the discipline of

philosophy.

The membrane of the resting neuron is said to be

polarized

Damien has been unable to sleep for the past few weeks. He wakes up in the middle of the night and cannot go back to sleep. On certain occasions, he cannot fall asleep at all and at other times, he is unable to wake up from sleep. In the context of organization of the brain, Damien's problem with sleep and arousal is most likely caused by the poor functioning of the

pons

In his practice, Dr. Wagner stresses the role of unconscious processes and unresolved childhood conflicts that influences individuals' behavior. Dr. Wagner's belief aligns with the _____ approach to psychology.

psychodynamic

J. B. Watson and B. F. Skinner believed that

psychology should focus on an organism's visible interactions with the environment—that is, behaviors.

A _____ is a sample that gives every member of the population an equal chance of being selected.

random sample

Elixir Inc. has a recruitment policy that favors hiring people from minority groups. To ensure that its diverse workforce helps rather than hinders business development, Elixir is seeking the guidance of a psychologist. Keeping its needs in mind, Elixir will most likely hire a(n)

socioculturalist.

In an experimental research study, which of the following groups is an experimental group?

the group that is subjected to the change that the independent variable represents

The axon is

the part of the neuron that carryies information away from the cell body toward other cells.

Maya burns her fingers while cooking dinner. Which of the following divisions of the nervous system will be primarily responsible for the pain she feels?

the somatic nervous system

A(n) _____ is a broad idea or closely related set of ideas that attempts to explain observations and to make predictions about future observations.

theory