Biological Correlates of Psychology Flashcards
If you see these 3 answers on the MCAT and had to make a guess, which should you choose?
a) genetics
b) environment
c) genetics and environment
c) genetics and environment
What is psychophysics?
study of physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they produce
What is transduction?
conversion of chemical or physical signals into a cellular response
What is perception?
interpretation and cognition of stimulus info that reaches the brain
TRUE or FALSE: Sensation involves both physiological and mental processing.
FALSE –> sensation involves physical processing ONLY (perception involves physiological and mental)
What occurs during sensory adaptation?
we become less sensitive to a stimulus through constant exposure
What is the “absolute threshold” in terms of a stimulus?
the lowest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected, both physiologically and mentally
TRUE or FALSE: The absolute threshold of a given stimulus varies for different individuals.
TRUE –> we are more/less likely to notice a stimulus based on expectations, previous experiences, familiarity, etc.
What is the “difference threshold” in terms of a stimulus? What is another name for this threshold?
smallest difference between 2 stimulus intensities that is needed for us to recognize a change, 50% of the time
also known as: just noticeable difference (JND)
What is Weber’s Law?
the change required to meet the difference threshold is a constant fraction (the Weber fraction), and the amount of change needed to reach this threshold depends on the original stimulus
delta I / I = k (note: I = intensity, k = constant)
TRUE or FALSE: Weber’s Law differs with the different senses (hearing, seeing, tasting, etc.).
TRUE –> each sense organ has a different sensitivity
What does signal detection theory measure?
ability to differentiate between signals (important stimuli) and noise (unimportant stimuli)
If a signal was present, and an individual responds with “yes, it was present”, what is the term for this signal response?
Hit
If a signal was present, and an individual responds with “no, it was not present”, what is the term for this signal response?
miss
If a signal was not present, and an individual responds with “yes, it was present”, what is the term for this signal response?
false alarm
If a signal was not present, and an individual responds with “no, it was not present”, what is the term for this signal response?
correct rejection
While sensation involves detecting stimuli, _____________ involves selecting which detected stimuli will be further processed.
(Fill in the blank.)`
attention
What is the difference between selective attention and divided attention?
selective attention: focus on solely one stimulus at a time
divided attention: split attention amongst multiple resources at one time
What is the disadvantage of selective attention?
potentially important stimuli can be ignored
What is the disadvantage of divided attention?
may be difficult to allocate enough attention to each stimulus
Explain the dichotic listening task and how it was used to study theories of attention.
different messages played into different ears; subject asked to repeat back the message from one ear and ignore the message from the other, or repeat both messages
Name the 3 theories of attention.
- Broadbent’s Early Selection Theory
- Deutch and Deutch’s Late Selection Theory
- Treisman’s Attenuation Theory
Explain Broadbent’s Early Selection Theory. Write out a flow chart to help explain.
all inputs from the environment first enter a sensory buffer, and then enter a selective filter where some info gets discarded
input –> sensory buffer –> filtering (x) –> perceptual meaning –> short term memory
(note: (x) marks where some info gets discarded)
Explain Deutch and Deutch’s Late Selection Theory. Write out a flow chart to help explain.
selective filtering of incoming inputs occurs AFTER perceptual processing (i.e. all info is perceptually processed, and then we selectively filter info and pass onto conscious awareness)
input –> sensory buffer –> perceptual meaning –> filtering (x) –> short term memory
(note: (x) marks where some info gets discarded)
Explain Treisman’s Attenuation Theory. Write out a flow chart to help explain.
we have an attenuator which weakens incoming info signal (i.e. all info gets to perceptual processing, we assign different levels of priority –> ONLY HIGH PRIORITY info makes it to conscious processing)
input –> sensory buffer –> attenuator (x) –> perceptual meaning –> short term memory
(note: (x) marks where LOW PRIORITY information signals are WEAKENED)
What is inattentional/perceptual blindness?
our ATTENTION IS DIRECTED ELSEWHERE in a visual field and we aren’t aware of certain objects in other areas of our visual field
What is change blindness?
failure to notice changes in immediate visual environment
What is the difference between distal stimulus and proximal stimulus?
DISTAL stimulus: stimulus in the real world (objects/events that sensory receptors respond to)
PROXIMAL stimulus: stimulus that occurs when sensory receptors are activated (activity that results within your brain)
Weber’s Law states:
a) the strength of a sensation grows a the strength of a stimulus increases
b) the stronger the stimulus, the more the stimulus needs to be increased before one notices an increase in the stimulus intensity
c) an increase in the stimulus intensity is more accurately noticed when one is optimally aroused
d) the weaker the stimulus, the more the stimulus needs to be increased before one notices an increase in the stimulus intensity
b) the stronger the stimulus, the more the stimulus needs to be increased before one notices an increase in the stimulus intensity
explanation:
Weber’s law states that the change required to meet the difference threshold is a constant fraction of the original stimulus. E.g. the brighter the light, the higher the difference in brightness we need for this difference to be perceived.
TRUE or FALSE: The smaller the Weber fraction, the smaller the difference threshold. (hint: consider the formula for Weber’s fraction)
FALSE –> the BIGGER the Weber fraction, the smaller the difference threshold
What is the difference between bottom-up processing and top-down processing?
bottom-up: assembling individual pieces of info from environment and building perceptions based on this NEW info
top-down: using an EXISTING framework of knowledge to form a perception
What do the Gestalt principles describe? How do they relate to top-down processing?
describe how we distinguish OBJECT FROM BACKGROUND; top-down processing is used to group sensory info into distinct regions called FORMS
What are the 5 Gestalt principles used to group stimulus information?
- closure
- proximity
- continuation
- similarity
- figure and ground
What is the difference between a monocular depth cue, a binocular depth cue, and an oculomotor cue?
monocular cues: cues that work with one eye
binocular cues: cues that involve both eyes
oculomotor cues: cues that involve the brain sensing motor movement from muscles in our eyes
When objects are FAR AWAY (from us), which type of depth cue does the brain use?
a) monocular
b) oculomotor
a) monocular
When objects are CLOSER (to us), which type of depth cue does the brain use?
a) monocular
b) oculomotor
b) oculomotor
What is size constancy?
brain recognizes that a certain object is constant in size despite the fact that it appears bigger when moved closer
What is shape constancy?
brain recognizes that a certain object is constant in shape even when it moves and generates new light patterns on the retina
Depth is governed by:
a) bottom-up processing
b) top-down processing
b) top-down processing
Motion is governed by:
a) bottom-up processing
b) top-down processing
b) top-down processing
Constancy is governed by:
a) bottom-up processing
b) top-down processing
b) top-down processing
What are the 3 features that are analyzed in feature detection?
- colour
- form (outline)
- motion
what is the difference between sequential processing and parallel processing?
sequential processing: brain processes different features at DIFFERENT times
parallel processing: brain processes different features at the SAME time
What is the basic tenet of Gestalt psychology?
a) perception is constructed
b) the brain perceives complex patterns as one, whole unit
c) all behaviour has a mental basis
a) perception is constructed
hint: information is grouped into individual parts, which are used to build the entire perception/image
Which description corresponds with theta waves (EEG)?
a) deep sleep
b) light sleep
c) deep relaxation
d) normal waking
b) light sleep
Which description corresponds with alpha waves (EEG)?
a) deep sleep
b) light sleep
c) deep relaxation
d) normal waking
c) deep relaxation
Which description corresponds with beta waves (EEG)?
a) deep sleep
b) light sleep
c) deep relaxation
d) normal waking
d) normal waking
Which description corresponds with delta waves (EEG)?
a) deep sleep
b) light sleep
c) deep relaxation
d) normal waking
a) deep sleep
What do beta, alpha, theta, and delta waves look like on an EEG recording?
(see page 162 in PsycSoc cc)
Which frequency corresponds with theta waves (EEG)?
a) high frequency
b) low frequency
c) lowish frequency
d) medium frequency
c) lowish frequency
Which frequency corresponds with alpha waves (EEG)?
a) high frequency
b) low frequency
c) lowish frequency
d) medium frequency
medium
Which frequency corresponds with beta waves (EEG)?
a) high frequency
b) low frequency
c) lowish frequency
d) medium frequency
a) high frequency
Which frequency corresponds with delta waves (EEG)?
a) high frequency
b) low frequency
c) lowish frequency
d) medium frequency
b) low frequency
What is the frequency range for beta waves?
13-30 Hz
What is the frequency range for alpha waves?
8-12 Hz
What is the frequency range for theta waves?
4-7 Hz
What is the frequency range for delta waves?
<4 Hz
How many stages of non-REM (NREM) sleep are there?
4 (stages 1, 2, 3-4)
What event occurs during stage 1 sleep? What EEG waves are present? Identify any significant EEG wave patterns during this stage of sleep (if applicable).
stage between wakefulness and sleep; alpha waves
What event occurs during stage 2 sleep? What EEG waves are present? Identify any significant EEG wave patterns during this stage of sleep (if applicable).
muscle activity decreases + lose consciousness; sleep spindles and K-complexes
What event occurs during stages 3-4 sleep? What EEG waves are present? Identify any significant EEG wave patterns during this stage of sleep (if applicable).
deep sleep; delta waves
During which stage of sleep do night terrors and sleep walking occur?
stages 3-4
Early in our sleep, we spend more time in stage(s) ______(1, 2, 3, 4)______. During the latter parts of our sleep, we spend more time in stage(s) ______(1, 2, 3, 4)______ and in ____(REM or NREM)____ sleep.
early: 3-4
latter: 1 and 2, REM
TRUE or FALSE: REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements and low brain activity.
FALSE –> HIGH brain activity
Why does sleep compensation occur? (i.e. how does it work?)
if you miss a certain type of sleep (NREM or REM) then your body will try to get a disproportionate amount of that kind of sleep in future nights.
what is another name for the biological clock of the body
circadian rhythm
put these in order of the circadian rhythm process
- SCN inhibits the pineal gland from producing melatonin
- When light enters the eye, the suprachiasmatic nucleus is activated
- lack of melatonin signals wakefulness
2, 1, 3
what is the most common sleep disorder
insomnia
true or false - hypnosis is when the body can’t regulate sleep cycles and can easily transition in and out of REM sleep
false, it is narcolepsy
what is the difference between hypnosis and meditation in what they treat
hypnosis helps with anxiety and pain
meditation help with stress
if someone has an addiction, what is used to help treat it
cognitive behavioral therapy
what are the three types of consciousness altering drugs
stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens
what is the first step in forming a memory
sensory memory which is temporary storage
true or false - sensory memory is an conscious process
false - it is an unconscious process
if we pay attention to the information that we processed in the first step, the information is transferred into _____
A) working memory
b) sensory memory
c) short term memory
c
working memory can only hold ___ bits of information
7 give or take 2
what are the two ways to keep items in working memory
chunking and rehearsal
what is the molecular process used to strengthen synapses and what part of the brain is the most responsible for it
long term potentiation
hippocampus
______ states that words at the beginning of a lost are more likely to be remembered than words in the middle or end
a) recency effect
b) primacy effect
c) retroactive interference
b
what is the recency effect
words at the end of a list are more likely to be remembered than words in the middle
____ interference involves an older memory interfering with the retrieval of a new one
proactive or retroactive
proactive
pick the odd one out and if needed replace with the correct one
processes that decline with age
free recall, implicit memory, episodic memory, divided attention
implicit memory -> processing speed of information
pick the odd one out and if needed replace with the correct one
processes that are stable throughout life
implicit memory, recognition of information, semantic memory
x semantic memory
pick the odd one out and if needed replace with the correct one
processes that improve with age
semantic memory, emotional intelligence, free recall
free recall -> crystallized intelligence
what is the first part of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer’s
hippocampus
what are the three kinds of damage that Alzheimer’s can do to the brain
neuronal loss, amyloid plaque (deposits of proteins around cells) and neurofibrillary tangles (neuronal structural problems)
true or false - Korsakoff’s syndrome is associated with age
false it is associated with alcoholism
the lack of ____ is linked with Korsakoff’s syndrome
dopamine
monoamine
thiamine
Vitamin B12
thiamine
the lack of _____ is linked with Parkinson’s disease
thiamine
dopamine
serotonin
dopamine
Parkinson’s damages the ____ most
hippocampus
thalamus
substantia nigra
amygdala
substantia nigra
