AAMC Vocal

Question 1

Place theory

Answer 1

Posits that one is able to hear different pitches because different soundwaves trigger activity at different places along the cochlea’s basilar membrane.

Question 2

Interposition

Answer 2

Perceive things to be closer to us because it’s in front of another object (monocular cue)

Question 3

Sensory adaptation

Answer 3

Can increase or decrease our receptor sensitivity to the stimulus

Question 4

Amplification

Answer 4

An increase in sensitivity

Question 5

Retinal disparity

Answer 5

Provides a binocular cue that facilitate depth perception.

If you point at an object far away and close one eye, the finger will move. Each eye has a different image that co e together to make what we were. Gives depth

Question 6

Parallel processing

Answer 6

The idea that our eyes process color, form, and motion at the same time

Question 7

Endolymph

Answer 7

Liquid inside the semicircular Canal. This canal is responsible for balance

Question 8

Vestibulo-ocular reflex

Answer 8

Keeps the eyes fixed on a single point as the head rotates

Question 9

Fluid intelligence

Answer 9

The ability to think on one’s feet, be adaptable, and solve problems using deductive and inductive reasoning

Question 10

Similarities between schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease in regards to cognitive functions

Answer 10

Both are cognitive dysfunction particularly in tasks of verbal fluency (The ability to retrieve specific information with in restricted search parameters) and negative priming(slow, error prone responses to stimuli that were previously ignored)

Question 11

Semantic networks

Answer 11

Link concepts to gather based on similar meaning

Question 12

Korsakoff Syndrome

Answer 12

An amnesties disorder. Memory loss is caused by a thiamine( vitamin B1) deficiency in the brain.

B1- convert carbohydrates into glucose.

Patience with this will have symptoms of retrograde amnesia, anterograde amnesia, and confabulation ( invented memories which are then taken by the patient as true due to gaps in memory, with such gaps sometimes associated with blackouts)

Alcoholics can develop this because they will get a decrease in B1. Or severe malnutrition.

Question 13

Information processing model

Answer 13

States that the brain in codes, stores, and retrieves information much like a computer

Question 14

Functional fixedness

Answer 14

The tendency to use objects only in the way they were normally utilized

To perceive objects only in terms of their typical or normal function

Question 15

Heuristics

Answer 15

Mental shortcuts allow people to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently

“ rules of thumb”

Are simple, efficient rules, learned from experience, that people use to make decisions, come to judgments, and solve problems typically when facing complex problems or incomplete information

Question 16

Availability heuristic

Answer 16

Is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to a persons mind when evaluating a situation.

The information you use to make a decision is small compared to all the information available.

The info you use is also recent, frequent, extreme, vivid, negative

Question 17

Representativeness heuristic

Answer 17

Is a mental shortcut that helps us make a decision by comparing information to a mental prototype.

Like thinking that someone with glasses is nerdy, or a blonde is not smart.

May lead us to disregard probability info that is relevant to our judgment

Ex: you assume a guy in a suit went to Harvard rather than a swimsuit model

Question 18

Confirmation bias

Answer 18

The tendency to focus on information that fits an individuals beliefs, while rejecting information that goes against those believes

Question 19

Gardeners theory of multiple intelligence

Answer 19

Differentiate human intelligence into specific modalities rather than seeing intelligence as dominated by single general ability

1) linguistic
2) logical-mathematical
3) musical
4) visual-spatial
5) bodily-kinesthetic
6) interpersonal
7) interpersonal

Question 20

Pragmatics

Answer 20

Refers to the way language delivery changes depending on content

Ex: The fish is ready to eat. (Means dinner is ready, not that a fish is ready to eat)

or you rock ( you did a good job, not that you are literally a rock)

Question 21

Nativist theory

Answer 21

Humans have a language acquisition device (LAD) that allows them to learn language

Theory that suggest that children have an innate ability to acquire language

Noam Chomsky is the main theorist who suggests this theory

He believe that when the human brain is exposed to language at birth, it will begin to make sense of utterances because it has been program to do so

Question 22

Behaviorist theory

Answer 22

Language acquisition is controlled by operant conditioning and reinforcement by parents and caregivers

Example, Skinner

Language learning is habit formation and is shaped by conditioned behavior. Learning will take place based on the reinforcement received for the response

Question 23

Whorfian hypothesis

Answer 23

Also known as linguistics relativity.

States that the lens by which we view and interpret the world is created by language

Question 24

Social interactionist theory of language

Answer 24

Language acquisition is caused by a motivation to communicate and interact with others

Vygotsky

Language knowledge is acquired through social interaction with more competent and experienced memebers of the child’s culture

Question 25

Archate fasiculus

Answer 25

Connects the broca area to the wernickes area. If the connection is damaged, conduction aphasia. Can not repeat words.

Question 26

Brain waves on EEG and the stages

Answer 26

Beta frequency 12-30Hz
Normal waking state of consciousness. Alertness, concentration, focus, cognition and the 5 physical senses

Alpha, 7.5- 12 Hz
You are awake but tired. Eyes closed.

Relaxation, usually eyes are closed. Light meditation. Visualization, creativity, and super learning.

At this during hypnosis

Theta, 4-7.5 Hz (subconscious mind)
Light sleep, including REM dreaming state. Deep medication, intuition, memory and vivid visual imagery.

Delta x-4 Hz (unconscious mind/collective consciousness)
Usually deep sleep. Dreamless state. Automatic self-healing, immune system function.

Question 27

Example of depressants

Answer 27

Alcohol, barbiturates,

THC/cannabis ( binds cannabinoid receptors, causing hyperpolarization (pre-synaptic))
And
benzodiazepines (binds to GABA receptor, causing hyperpolarization (post-synaptic))

They lower the bodies basic functions and neural activity. Lower heart rebate and blood pressure.

Question 28

Example of stimulates

Answer 28

Nicotine ( mimics the action of neurotransmitter acetylcholine (Ach))

Amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy/MDMA (increases release and blocks reuptake of dopamine and 5-HT)

They excite the nervous system. Increase heart tears and blood pressure

Question 29

Example opiates and opioids

Answer 29

Can cause death by respiratory depression

Heroin, morphine, opium, oxycodone, hydrocodone

How they work:
An opiate binds to an opiated-receptor on the presynaptic neuron and initiates a cascade of neurochemical activity. This signals a massive efflux of dopamine into the synaptic cleft

Question 30

Hallicinogens- what is it and examples

Answer 30

LSD, peyote, mescaline, ketamine

Disrupt the interaction between serotonin and nerve cells. Serotonin is involved in the control of your mood, muscle, sensory perception, and many other things

Question 31

Sleep cycle

Answer 31

Stage 1 (theta)
Light sleep. Can me easily woken

stage 2 (theta)
Eye movement and brain waves slowing down. Sleep spindles and K complexes 

Stage 3 (delta)
Delta waves begin to appear

Stage 4 (delta)
Deep sleep, difficult to wake up

REM (beta since the brain appears awake on EEG)
Breathing becomes more rapid and irregular
Body paralysis