GRE Official Practice Test Flashcards

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1
Q

Object relations therapy

A

Object relations theory in psychoanalytic psychology is the process of developing a psyche in relation to others in the environment during childhood. Based on psychodynamic theory, the object relations theory suggests that the way people relate to others and situations in their adult lives is shaped by family experiences during infancy. For example, an adult who experienced neglect or abuse in infancy would expect similar behavior from others who remind them of the neglectful or abusive person from their past. These images of people and events turn into objects in the unconscious that the person carries into adulthood, and they are used by the unconscious to predict people’s behavior in their social relationships and interactions.

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2
Q

Blocking the reuptake of a neurotransmitter has what effect?

A

it prolongs the effects of the neurotransmitter at the synapse

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3
Q

The auditory and vestibular systems are alike in that both

A

depend on hair ceels to transduce the proximal stimulus into neural activity

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4
Q

The terms purposive behaviorism and sign-gestalt learning are used to describe the learning theory developed by who?

A

Edward Tolman

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5
Q

Purposive Behaviorism

A

Purposive behaviorism is a branch of psychology that was introduced by Edward Tolman. It combines the objective study of behavior while also considering the purpose or goal of behavior. Tolman thought that learning developed from knowledge about the environment and how the organism relates to its environment.

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6
Q

Sign-Gestalt learning was developed by who?

A

Edward Tolman. In his Sign Gestalt Theory, he put forth the notion that there are three parts to learning which work together as a gestalt. These are the “significant” or goal of behavior, the “sign” or signal for action, and “means-end relations” which were internal processes and relationships. He believed learning is an accumulation of these sign gestalts, and that they are then configured into cognitive maps. Input about the environment, which is ongoing, also influences behavior in that it causes certain gestalts to be selected or not, in relation to the individuals purpose or goals, and other factors. In this sense, learning is unique to each individual.

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7
Q

How do fixed action patterns work?

A

Fixed action patterns, or similar behaviour sequences, are produced by a neural network known as the innate releasing mechanism in response to an external sensory stimulus known as a sign stimulus or releaser. A fixed action pattern is one of the few types of behaviors which was thought to be “hard-wired” and instinctive.

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8
Q

True or False? Sound localization is determined by the fact that sound typically reaches the two ears at different times.

A

True. Sound localization is determined by the fact that sound typically reaches the two ears at different times.

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9
Q

Who was the original birth order theorist?

A

Alfred Adler

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10
Q

What does research say about first-born children?

A

As explained by Stewart, using Adler’s framework, the firstborn child (or one with the “oldest” role) would be most likely to take on a leadership position, to like it when people stick to rules and order, and to strive toward achievement goals. The firstborn may be sensitive to being “dethroned” by younger sibs who drain away the attention of parents that the firstborn enjoyed before they came along.

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11
Q

What does research say about the youngest children?

A

The youngest child may feel less capable and experienced, and perhaps is a bit pampered by parents and even older sibs. As a result, the youngest may develop social skills that will get other people to do things for them, thus contributing to their image as charming and popular.

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12
Q

Recent findings indicate that new neurons form in which area of the adult mammalian brain?

A

hippocampus

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13
Q

Type A personalities are

A

The theory describes Type A individuals as ambitious, rigidly organized, highly status-conscious, sensitive, impatient, take on more than they can handle, want other people to get to the point, anxious, proactive, and concerned with time management. People with Type A personalities are often high-achieving “workaholics”, push themselves with deadlines, and hate both delays and ambivalence.[4]

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14
Q

Who is credited with developing the idea of an inferiority complex?

A

Alfred Adler. it is rooted in psychoanalytic theory

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15
Q

Psychoanalysis, Chodorow

A

Chodorow sees gender differences as compromise formations of the Oedipal complex.

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16
Q

Karen Horney, Neo-freudian. credited with feminist psychology

A

Moving towards people, Moving away from people, Moving Against People

17
Q

Describe some of Bandura’s most influential work:

A

Social learning theory is how people learn through observing others. An example of social learning theory would be the students imitating the teacher. Self-efficacy is “the belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations.” To paraphrase, self-efficiacy is believing in yourself to take action.

18
Q

Human brain injury that includes the region of the LEFT SUPERIOR TEMPORAL GYRUS ADJACENT TO THE AUDTORY CORTEX results in deficits characterized by

A

grammatical speech but poor language comprehension

19
Q

Agonists function by

A

Agonist drugs that:
Mimic Neurotransmitters
Stop Removal of Neurotransmitters from the Synapse
Increase Production of Neurotransmitters

20
Q

Atagonists function by

A

Antagonist drugs that:
Block the Receptor Sites
Speed Removal of Neurotransmitters from the Synapse
Decrease Production of Neurotransmitters

21
Q

Somatic Disorder VS. Hypochondriasis

A

Somatization disorder (also Briquet’s syndrome) is a mental disorder characterized by recurring, multiple, and current, clinically significant complaints about somatic symptoms.

Hypochondriassis is an obsession with the idea of having a serious but undiagnosed medical condition.

22
Q

PKU, Cystic Fibrosis and Tay-Sachs are all

A

recessive genetic disorders

23
Q

What is cystic fibrosis and how is it caused?

A

An inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system.

A defect in the CFTR gene causes cystic fibrosis (CF). This gene makes a protein that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of your body’s cells. In people who have CF, the gene makes a protein that doesn’t work well. This causes thick, sticky mucus and very salty sweat.

24
Q

What is Tay-Sachs disease?

A

A rare, inherited disorder that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

25
Q

Receptors in the vomeronasal organ control behavioral responses to

A

pheromones

26
Q

Algorithmic problem solving

A

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that will always produce a correct solution. A mathematical formula is a good example of a problem-solving algorithm. While an algorithm guarantees an accurate answer, it is not always the best approach to problem solving. This strategy is not practical for many situations because it can be so time-consuming. For example, if you were trying to figure out all of the possible number combinations to a lock using an algorithm, it would take a very long time!

27
Q

Multiple regression analysis

A

Multiple regression analysis is a powerful technique used for predicting the unknown value of a variable from the known value of two or more variables- also called the predictors.

28
Q

Analysis of variance

A

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is a statistical method used to test differences between two or more means. It may seem odd that the technique is called “Analysis of Variance” rather than “Analysis of Means.”

29
Q

What do activational hormones do?

A

Activational effects of hormones: immediate (temporary) effects of hormones that “come and go” with the presence and absence of the hormone.

30
Q

What do organizational hormones do?

A

Organizational effects of hormones: relatively permanent effects of hormones on structure and function of the body. Often there is a critical period of development during which these organizational effects can take place. The most important critical periods are during fetal development and puberty.

31
Q

Describe a mental set.

A

A mental set is a framework for thinking about a problem. It can be shaped by habit or by desire. Mental sets can make it easy to solve a class of problem, but attachment to the wrong mental set can inhibit problem-solving and creativity.

32
Q

Hill-climbing heuristic

A

The hill-climbing heuristic is similar to the method of trial and error. Using the hill-climbing method, a person generally picks what appears to be the most direct route to the goal at each step. If this choice proves to be incorrect, the person might choose an alternative method to see if it achieves the goal faster. The main disadvantage to this method is that one is only able to see the goal and one step ahead of where they are at that moment. This method is appropriate only for certain tasks though. One example of a type of problem that requires the hill-climbing method is a maze. The maze contains an entrance and an end (respectively, the initial state and the goal state). Each line within the maze becomes an obstacle between the initial state and the goal state.

33
Q

Correspondence Bias

A

Fundamental Attribution Error

The correspondence bias is the tendency to draw inferences about a person’s unique and enduring dispositions from behaviors that can be entirely explained by the situations in which they occur.

34
Q

Self-serving bias

A

The self-serving bias is people’s tendency to attribute positive events to their own character but attribute negative events to external factors. It’s a common type of cognitive bias that has been extensively studied in social psychology.