Psychology Test 1 Practice
After consuming too much alcohol, Shelly has to be helped out of the car and then she throws up on the sidewalk. Her blood alcohol content is probably nearing: A. .15. B. .40. C. .08. D. .10.
A. .15.
An action potential takes about _____ to complete. A. 1 ms B. 0.1 ms C. 0.1 s D. 1 s
A. 1 ms
"Angel dust" and "Special K" are both psychedelic anesthetics. A. True B. False
A. True
"Roofies" are classified as depressants. A. True B. False
A. True
_____ are a type of _____. A. Amphetamines; depressant B. Barbiturates; depressant C. Hallucinogens; barbiturate D. Barbiturates; stimulant
B. Barbiturates; depressant
Psychology is mainly common sense. A. True B. False
B. False
Alcohol boosts the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA. A. False B. True
B. True
After being shot in the head in Iraq, what type of glial cells began to restore the barrier between Brandon's brain and blood? A. neurons B. astrocytes C. dendrites D. microglia
B. astrocytes
Alison has developed an interest in how the brain controls the body's voluntary actions. If she continues to pursue these interests, she might become a(n) _____ psychologist. A. cognitive B. biological C. evolutionary D. genetic
B. biological
Psychology is a relatively _____ field with _____ subfields and areas of interest. A. narrow; ten major B. broad; over fifty C. narrow; five major D. broad; over two hundred
B. broad; over fifty
Identical twins Anaïs and Sam, who were separated from each other at birth and raised in different households, have some similar and some different characteristics. The characteristics that are similar are likely due to _____ factors, whereas the characteristics that are different are likely due to _____ factors. A. nurture; nature B. nature; nurture C. physical; psychological D. psychological; physical
B. nature; nurture
Specialized cells that communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals are called: A. dendrites. B. neurons. C. synapses. D. axons.
B. neurons.
Hazan has just fallen asleep. Over the next _____, Hazan will progress through all the sleep stages. A. 8 hours B. 60 minutes C. 90 minutes D. 2 hours
C. 90 minutes
After lunch, Katya drinks a cup of coffee and smokes a cigarette. Katya consumes two: A. opioids. B. depressants. C. hallucinogens. D. stimulants.
D. stimulants.
A personality questionnaire is most likely used in naturalistic observation research. A. False B. True
A. False
A value close to 0.00 of a correlation coefficient indicates a strong correlation between variables. A. False B. True
A. False
Alcohol is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the United States. A. False B. True
A. False
An extraneous variable is one type of confounding variable. A. False B. True
A. False
Case studies allow cause-and-effect conclusions. A. False B. True
A. False
Fewer than 1 in 10 adult Americans now smoke cigarettes. A. False B. True
A. False
Some people do not dream. A. False B. True
A. False
The biological perspective would suggest that depression can be treated by changing negative thought patterns. A. False B. True
A. False
The cognitive revolution represented a reaction against the biological perspective. A. False B. True
A. False
The evolutionary perspective's emphasis on adaptation recalls the focus of the school of structuralism. A. False B. True
A. False
"A dream is a wish your heart makes": This statement is consistent with the psychoanalytic view of dreams. A. True B. False
A. True
"Score on an IQ test" is an operational definition of intelligence. A. True B. False
A. True
A sizeable minority of college students have experienced sleep paralysis. A. True B. False
A. True
Many everyday behaviors are supported by automatic processing. A. True B. False
A. True
Researchers use random assignment to ensure that participants have an equal chance of being assigned to any of the groups. A. True B. False
A. True
With respect to the scientific method, Willow is developing a question when she reviews theories to spot the research gap no one seems to have filled. A. True B. False
A. True
_____ nightmares, sleep terrors occur during _____ sleep. A. Unlike; non-REM B. Like; non-REM C. Unlike; REM D. Like; REM
A. Unlike; non-REM
Kim suffers from generalized anxiety disorder. If her psychiatrist wanted to give her a drug that produces a mild calming effect, she would prescribe: A. Xanax. B. OxyContin. C. Ritalin. D. Vicodin.
A. Xanax.
Summer cannot remember locking the back door on her way out of her house this morning, even though she did, just as she has every morning. This example illustrates: A. automatic processing. B. the cocktail-party effect. C. sensory adaptation. D. controlled processing.
A. automatic processing.
Action potentials travel from the: A. axon hillock, down the axon to the terminal buds. B. terminal buds, up the axon to the axon hillock. C. axon hillock, up the axon to the terminal buds. D. terminal buds, down the axon to the axon hillock.
A. axon hillock, down the axon to the terminal buds.
Not only was Margaret Floy Washburn the first woman to be granted a PhD in psychology, she also: A. contributed to the field's knowledge of comparative animal behavior. B. helped to popularize the psychoanalytic perspective of psychology. C. contributed to the field's knowledge of issues affecting African American children. D. established the first college to offer PhDs in psychology to women.
A. contributed to the field's knowledge of comparative animal behavior.
Dr. Segal gave Sam and Anaïs, identical twins separated at birth and reunited at age 25, several psychological tests to measure personality traits. This part of Dr. Segal's research served the goal of: A. describing. B. changing. C. explaining. D. predicting.
A. describing.
Dr. Lieu is the lead researcher on a project that uses a strong magnet to track blood-oxygen changes in participants' brains as they complete decision-making tasks. From the description, Dr. Lieu is using a technique called: A. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). B. computerized axial tomography (CAT). C. positron emission tomography (PET). D. electroencephalogram (EEG).
A. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Dr. Petrovic's goal is to help his clients channel their motivation for positive growth and to realize their potential. He is a _____ therapist. A. humanistic B. psychoanalytic C. behavioral D. cognitive
A. humanistic
Which consequence may result from continued use of Ecstasy? A. impaired planning and attention B. decreased motivation C. suppression of the immune system D. abnormalities in sperm production
A. impaired planning and attention
While Plato believed that truth and knowledge are due to _____, Aristotle believed that truth and knowledge are acquired through _____. A. nature; nurture B. empiricism; introspection C. nurture; nature D. learning; observations
A. nature; nurture
In a small preliminary study of sixth graders, Britton et al. (2014) found that replacing detention with mindful meditation has resulted in: A. not a single suspension. B. only six suspensions and one expulsion. C. only four suspensions. D. only ten suspensions and two expulsions.
A. not a single suspension.
Fredrica reads in the scientific literature that siblings have similar food preferences due to shared home environments. She could use that knowledge to _____ that nonrelatives living in the same home will have food preferences similar to those of the siblings. A. predict B. change C. explain D. describe
A. predict
Descartes believed in dualism, the view that the mind and the body are: A. separate. B. opposing physical entities. C. the same thing. D. empirical.
A. separate.
Sleep apnea is a disorder of REM sleep. A. True B. False
B. False
Sophia is experiencing an ever-changing flow of distracting thoughts as she tries to begin an assignment; this aspect of consciousness was highlighted by Titchener. A. True B. False
B. False
Tolerance is a sign of psychological dependence. A. True B. False
B. False
When Alfred starts to dream during sleep, he thrashes around in bed and makes guttural noises. Sometimes he hurts himself because he hits his arms or legs against the wall. Alfred suffers from: A. narcolepsy. B. REM sleep behavior disorder. C. sleep paralysis. D. sleep apnea.
B. REM sleep behavior disorder.
Codeine is chemically related to opium. A. False B. True
B. True
Describing the feel of bedsheets as "cool . . . smooth . . . very slightly granular" echoes Wundt's introspection. A. False B. True
B. True
Dr. Keane investigates problem-solving strategies; she is therefore a cognitive psychologist. A. False B. True
B. True
Hypnotized patients' suggestibility is positively associated with the quality of their relationship with their hypnotist. A. False B. True
B. True
Inferential statistics enable researchers to predict the likelihood of future occurrences. A. False B. True
B. True
Opioid overdoses now account for more U.S. deaths than do car accidents. A. False B. True
B. True
Our knowledge of physiology drives the biological perspective in psychology. A. False B. True
B. True
Positive psychology reflects the legacy of the earlier humanistic perspective. A. False B. True
B. True
The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher. A. False B. True
B. True
The likelihood that sample results will generalize to the population depends on the representativeness of the sample. A. False B. True
B. True
Low levels of _____ in the brain have been linked to Alzheimer's disease. A. GABA B. acetylcholine C. glutamate D. serotonin
B. acetylcholine
Action potentials are: A. a method of communication between neurons. B. all-or-none; they either happen or they don't. C. the "glue" of the nervous system; they provide cohesion. D. chemical signals with varying intensities.
B. all-or-none; they either happen or they don't.
At this very moment, _____ are relaying signals across the synapses between neurons in your brain. A. vesicles B. neurotransmitters C. dendrites D. action potentials
B. neurotransmitters
Psychology's goal of explanation includes _____ behavior. A. reporting an observed B. noticing patterns in C. changing people's D. predicting a future
B. noticing patterns in
Lamar is overweight and has a significant amount of excess tissue in the back of his throat that collapses and blocks off his airway when he enters into deep sleep. He is excessively sleepy during the day. Lamar suffers from: A. narcolepsy. B. obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea. C. insomnia. D. sleep terrors.
B. obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea.
Dr. Leleux believes that psychologists should attempt to identify the fundamental elements of mental experience. Dr. Leleux associates himself with the school of: A. behaviorism. B. structuralism. C. functionalism. D. humanism.
B. structuralism.
With regard to the psychology of emotion, William James would be interested in the: A. observable behaviors associated with emotion. B. ways in which emotions aid our adaptations to the environment. C. contribution of unconscious memories to our emotional experience. D. basic nature of an emotional feeling or experience.
B. ways in which emotions aid our adaptations to the environment.
Weston is texting while driving. When his friend James suggests that he should stop or pull over, Weston claims that he is an "awesome multitasker." James responds using his knowledge of psychological research: A. "I'm OK with you texting, as I know that 97.5% of people are able to drive safely while using a cell phone." B. "I'm OK with you texting, because I know that for you, texting is a very well-learned task, so you would be able to text and drive at the same time." C. "Stop texting. Close to 100% of drivers cannot safely drive while using a cell phone." D. "I'm OK with you texting. I know that when people are confident about their multitasking abilities, they actually are very good at multitasking."
C. "Stop texting. Close to 100% of drivers cannot safely drive while using a cell phone."
_____ was an early approach to explaining the functions of the brain by trying to link the physical structure of the skull with a variety of characteristics. A. Biopsychology B. Behavioral neuroscience C. Phrenology D. Physiological psychology
C. Phrenology
Terminal buds are found at the ends of: A. vesicles. B. dendrites. C. axons. D. glial cells.
C. axons.
A growing number of attorneys are submitting _____ in court as legal evidence that demonstrates a psychological disturbance. A. psychoanalytic summaries B. phrenology reports C. brain scans D. endocrine analyses
C. brain scans
Biological psychologists are interested in studying living brains. Unfortunately, the subjects of interest in this particular study have metal in their bodies that prevents them from being placed in a magnetic field. The subjects also indicated on their consent form that they are uncomfortable being injected with any substance. Which of these imaging techniques could be used? A. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) B. positron emission tomography (PET) C. computerized axial tomography (CAT) D. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
C. computerized axial tomography (CAT)
Ms. Reyes teaches a drama class for children and youth. She asks her pupils to lie on the floor with their eyes closed and to become aware of all the sensations they experience, from growls in their stomachs to the buzzing of the fluorescent lights. From a psychological standpoint, Ms. Reyes is trying to develop her students' level of: A. cognition. B. emotion. C. consciousness. D. motivation.
C. consciousness.
The intricate pathways of myelinated axons in the brain can be seen using _____, which tracks the diffusion of water molecules in the brain. A. computerized axial tomography (CAT) B. positron emission tomography (PET) C. diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) D. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
C. diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI)
The intricate pathways of myelinated axons in the brain can be seen using _____, which tracks the diffusion of water molecules in the brain. A. positron emission tomography (PET) B. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) C. diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) D. computerized axial tomography (CAT)
C. diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI)
Communication within neurons is primarily _____ and communication between neurons is primarily _____. A. chemical; electrical B. electrical; mechanical C. electrical; chemical D. mechanical; chemical
C. electrical; chemical
Dr. Hernandez is attempting to diagnose a brain injury in a patient. In order to observe the function of her patient's brain using a(n) _____, Dr. Hernandez places electrodes on the patient's scalp to record electrical activity. A. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) B. computerized axial tomography (CAT) C. electroencephalogram (EEG) D. positron emission tomography (PET)
C. electroencephalogram (EEG)
After being shot in the head in Iraq, what type of glial cells defended Brandon's brain from infection and inflammation? A. dendrites B. axons C. microglia D. astrocytes
C. microglia
Finches that have big beaks can crack open a greater variety of seeds and thus are more likely to survive when food is scarce than small-beaked finches. This is an example of: A. biological determinism. B. species preparedness. C. natural selection. D. socioculturalism.
C. natural selection.
Identical twins Sam and Anaïs were raised apart during their childhood and adolescence, but were reunited in adulthood. Despite having grown up in different households and countries, they have the same laugh and they both deal with stress by taking a nap. This indicates that their _____ is responsible for their similarities, which is consistent with _____ theory. A. nature; Aristotle's B. nurture; Aristotle's C. nature; Plato's D. nurture; Plato's
C. nature; Plato's
Brandon, who suffered head trauma while serving in Iraq, could only tie his shoe with his left hand. From this we know that Brandon's injury was: A. on the right side of his brain. B. in the center of his brain. C. on the left side of his brain. D. on both sides of his brain.
C. on the left side of his brain.
Hypnagogic hallucinations are a symptom of narcolepsy that is characterized by: A. realistic but false perceptions that occur shortly before falling asleep. B. a complete absence of air flow during sleep. C. paralysis that sets in prematurely or fails to turn off in time. D. loss of paralysis, causing movement during dream periods.
C. paralysis that sets in prematurely or fails to turn off in time.
Are you a secretive person? How high is your self-esteem? According to 19th-century _____, the answers to these questions lie on the surface of the skull. A. neuroscientists B. speech therapists C. phrenologists D. biological psychologists
C. phrenologists
After an entire day without alcohol, Selena is sweaty and shaking. Tarren claims he needs to smoke marijuana daily to keep stress at bay. Selena displays _____ dependence. Taryn displays _____ dependence. A. physiological; physiological B. psychological; physiological C. physiological; psychological D. psychological; psychological
C. physiological; psychological
Beatriz has just received her doctoral degree in psychology. She has decided to devote her career to basic research, which means she is likely to find employment in a: A. government-funded clinical practice. B. private clinical practice. C. university laboratory. D. a Fortune 500 company.
C. university laboratory.
_____ detects blood flow to brain regions, indicating heightened neural activity. A. Electroencephalogram (EEG) B. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) C. Diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
_____ detects blood flow to brain regions, indicating heightened neural activity. A. Electroencephalogram (EEG) B. Diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) C. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
D. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
Emile has decided to participate in a study that deprives her of _____ sleep. Since starting the study she has found that this has caused her to experience emotional overreactions to threatening situations. A. slow-wave B. Stage N2 C. Stage N1 D. REM
D. REM
As part of a group presentation for a biological psychology course, Lance will need to briefly summarize the current understanding of neurotransmitters within the field. Which of these statements should Lance include on a slide to be accompanied by a brief explanation? A. There are exactly five different neurotransmitters: acetylcholine, dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and serotonin. B. Similar to action potentials, neurotransmitters typically follow the all-or-none law. C. Acetylcholine is the most recently discovered neurotransmitter. D. Researchers have identified approximately 100 neurotransmitters, with many more yet to be discovered.
D. Researchers have identified approximately 100 neurotransmitters, with many more yet to be discovered.
An advertisement for a new drug therapy is eye catching. The advertisement claims that the drug will counteract the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The drug potentially works by acting as a(n): A. serotonin agonist. B. serotonin antagonist. C. acetylcholine antagonist. D. acetylcholine agonist.
D. acetylcholine agonist.
Nicotine mimics acetylcholine and causes the same activation. In contrast, curare blocks acetylcholine receptors. Nicotine is an acetylcholine _____ while curare is an acetylcholine _____. A. antagonist; agonist B. inhibitor; exciter C. exciter; inhibitor D. agonist; antagonist
D. agonist; antagonist
Armando wants to communicate the restorative theory of sleep to members of his study group. He should explain that the restorative theory "proposes that sleep: A. aids in the creation of memories." B. is a time for unconscious problem solving." C. serves an adaptive function that allows people to survive." D. allows for growth and repair of the body and brain."
D. allows for growth and repair of the body and brain."
The largest area of specialization in psychology is the clinical and counseling focus. This specialization of psychology focuses on how to change behavior within people, so the research in this specialization is usually: A. educational. B. psychoanalytic. C. basic. D. applied.
D. applied.
The subfield of psychology concerned with understanding how the brain and other bodily systems influence human behavior is called: A. phrenology. B. social psychology. C. speech therapy. D. biological psychology.
D. biological psychology.
Dr. Prashar is a biological psychologist who conducts research on the effects of different medications to see which is most effective for treating depression. His goal is to _____ behavior. A. describe B. predict C. explain D. change
D. change
Ablation, a very early technique, studied the brain by: A. conducting lobotomies. B. examining the bumps and depressions on one's head. C. studying people with existing brain damage. D. destroying parts of a living animal brain to determine a loss of function.
D. destroying parts of a living animal brain to determine a loss of function.
Later in the course, students will learn about the different patterns of electrical activity in the brain that occur in the different stages of sleep and dreaming. Given that researchers studying sleep look at electrical activity in the brains of their subjects, what technique are they using? A. positron emission tomography (PET) B. computerized axial tomography (CAT) C. functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) D. electroencephalogram (EEG)
D. electroencephalogram (EEG)
Organizing and making sense of behavioral observations is central to psychology's goal of: A. change. B. description. C. prediction. D. explanation.
D. explanation.
A synapse is a: A. fiber. B. chemical. C. signal. D. gap.
D. gap.
At 11 consecutive days without sleep, seventeen-year-old Randy Gardner set the record for the longest documented period of self-imposed sleep deprivation. What is one effect of such chronic sleep deprivation? A. focused attention B. narcolepsy C. restoration D. hallucinations
D. hallucinations
The _____ perspective would not be surprised at all about the positive outlook on life of identical twins Sam and Anaïs. Their natural inclination to grow in a positive way and see the good in life is consistent with this perspective. A. behavioral B. evolutionary C. psychoanalytic D. humanistic
D. humanistic
Dr. Thomas is preparing to conduct a research study on individuals with traumatic brain injuries. In order to document the extent of injury, subjects will undergo brain imaging at the start of the study. If Dr. Thomas is interested in documenting structural damage to the brain, which imaging technique should she use for the study? A. diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) B. electroencephalogram (EEG) C. positron emission tomography (PET) D. magnetic resonance image (MRI)
D. magnetic resonance image (MRI)
In _____, a computer analyzes the electromagnetic response of the brain, creating cross-sectional images similar to those produced by computerized axial topography (CAT), but with superior detail. A. positron emission topography B. electroencephalogram C. digital tomosynthesis D. magnetic resonance imaging
D. magnetic resonance imaging
After being shot in the head in Iraq, what type of glial cells defended Brandon's brain from infection and inflammation? A. axons B. dendrites C. astrocytes D. microglia
D. microglia
What proportion of people report that they experience at least some symptoms of insomnia? A. one-fifth B. one-fourth C. one-half D. one-third
D. one-third
To reduce workplace injuries, Dr. Gonzalez, an industrial and organizational psychologist, recommends that a manufacturing company install bright lights in a plant in which many employees work the 11 P.M. to 7 A.M. shift. As a psychologist, she knows that lights simulating morning sun will help the suprachiasmatic nucleus to reduce the _____ gland's production of the sleep-inducing hormone ______. A. pineal; leptin B. adrenal; melatonin C. adrenal; leptin D. pineal; melatonin
D. pineal; melatonin
In order to study the function of a brain, behavioral neuroscientists sometimes use _____, which involves injecting a radioactive tracer into the bloodstream of a patient. A. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) B. computerized axial tomography (CAT) C. electroencephalogram (EEG) D. positron emission tomography (PET)
D. positron emission tomography (PET)
While reading a friend's status update on a social networking site, Cory ignores the scrolling newsfeed and the changing advertisements on the right side of the screen. Cory is demonstrating: A. sensory adaptation. B. automatic processing. C. inattentional blindness. D. selective attention.
D. selective attention.
The focus of _____ was to uncover the elements of the mind, while _____ focused on identifying what thoughts, feelings, and behaviors could be used for. A. behaviorism; structuralism B. behaviorism; functionalism C. introspection; structuralism D. structuralism; functionalism
D. structuralism; functionalism
The role of _____ is to protect and insulate the axon and to speed up the neural message. A. dendrites B. the nodes of Ranvier C. the terminal buds D. the myelin sheath
D. the myelin sheath
Compared to action potentials in unmyelinated neurons, action potentials in myelinated neurons: A. can vary in intensity. B. travel in the opposite direction. C. travel much slower. D. travel much faster.
D. travel much faster.