Physiological Psychology Quiz Flashcards
Which statement best describes the explanatory goals of researchers in behavioral neuroscience?
a. Both generalization and reduction should be embraced when reaching conclusions.
b. Understanding the design of a biological structure is more important than understanding the function of that structure.
c. Reduction of psychological processes to underlying biological mechanisms is the most important concern.
d. Explanations should be offered at a philosophical, biological, and psychological level
a. Both generalization and reduction should be embraced when reaching conclusions.
Paul Broca performed an autopsy of the brain of a patient who had been unable to speak after suffering a stroke. Broca concluded that
a. the control of speech is a function of the left hemisphere.
b. the pineal body controls speech production.
c. damage to the right hemisphere impairs speech.
d. muscle atrophy after a stroke is the result of a fluid pressure drop in the ventricles.
a. the control of speech is a function of the left hemisphere
In order to cross the synapse between two neurons, a substance called ___________ is released from the first cell (presynapse) to activate or inhibit the second cell (postsynapse).
a. neurotransmitter
b. protein
c. kinesin
d. dynein
a. neurotransmitter
The right half of a human’s brain controls the left half of the body. In order words, motor control is
a. contralateral.
b. transverse
c. ipsilateral.
d. bilateral.
a. contralateral
With repeated drug administration, the body begins to compensate for drug use by causing symptoms opposite of what the drug causes. This phenomenon is called
a. withdrawal.
b. sensitization.
c. inactivation.
d. tolerance.
a. withdrawal
Neurons can be activated by
a. infusion of oxygen.
b. radio frequency stimulation.
c. ablation.
d. chemical stimulation
d. chemical stimulation
The explanation for the “blind spot” in our visual field is that
a. the lens cannot focus all of the visual field onto the retina.
b. blood vessels collect together and enter the eye at the blind spot.
c. rods are less sensitive to light than are cones.
d. there are no photoreceptors in the retina where the axons exit the eye.
d. there are no photoreceptors in the retina where the axons exit the eye.
The complexity of a sound wave determines the psychological dimension known as
a. pitch.
b. loudness.
c. saturation.
d. timbre.
d. timbre
A person with damage to the cerebellum would be expected to show
a. sympathetic apraxia.
b. difficulty in arising from a sitting position.
c. jerky, uncoordinated movements.
d. improvements in posture.
c. jerky, uncoordinated movements
Which statement regarding human sleep cycles is correct?
a. Sleep states are random across the night.
b. People first enter REM sleep and then transition to non-REM sleep.
c. As the night goes on, the relative length of REM sleep increases in each successive cycle.
d. Stage 3 of slow-wave sleep mostly occurs in the early morning hours
c. As the night goes on, the relative length of REM sleep increases in each successive cycle.
Both women and men appear to show increased secretion of ________ in anticipation of renewed sexual contact.
a. cortisol
b. leptin
c. estradiol
d. testosterone
d. testosterone
Much of the research on the physiology of emotions has concentrated on
a. fear and anger.
b. hostility and aggression.
c. mood states.
d. happiness and surprise.
a. fear and anger
The primary hormone associated with the absorptive phase of metabolism is
a. glucagon.
b. cholecystokinin.
c. ghrelin.
d. insulin.
d. insulin
Video gamers often find that they are able to beat difficult stages that require accurate timing of button pushes after taking a break from the game. This phenomenon supports the observation that
a. motor learning is instantaneous.
b. memory of motor behavior is formed during the first three motoric attempts.
c. memory of motor behavior is improved through consolidation.
d. REM and slow wave sleep are not associated with enhanced motor learning.
c. memory of motor behavior is improved through consolidation.
With regard to handedness and hemispheric speech dominance,
a. approximately 90 percent of the population shows right-hemisphere dominance for speech.
b. left-hemisphere speech dominance is noted in 50 percent of right-handed people.
c. left-hemisphere speech dominance is noted in 50 percent of ambidextrous people.
d. approximately 90 percent of the population shows left-hemisphere dominance for speech.
d. approximately 90 percent of the population shows left-hemisphere dominance for speech.
