Psych Chapter 3-Mapping the mind and genetics

Question 1

What is phrenology?

Answer 1

Thought that brain enlargements were attributed to various personality and intellectual traits. Often called bumpology. Based on anectodal evidence.

Question 2

What is an EEG?

Answer 2

Electroencephalogram. Recording of the brain’s electrical activity at the surface of the skull.

Question 3

What is a CT?

Answer 3

Computed tomography. Scanning technique using multiple X-rays to create 3D images.

Question 4

What is MRI?

Answer 4

Magnetic resonance imagery. Uses magnetic fields to indirectly visualize brain structures.

Question 5

What is PET?

Answer 5

Positron emission tomography. Imaging technique that measure the consumption of radioactive glucose yielding a picture of neural activity in different regions of the brain.

Question 6

What is an fMRI?

Answer 6

Functional MRI. MRI with the BOLD technique (Blood oxygenation level dependent). Measures change in blood oxygen level. Indirect correlate of neural activity.

Question 7

What is TMS?

Answer 7

Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Aplies strong and quickly changing magnetic fields to the surface of the skull that can either enhance or interrupt brain function.

Question 8

What is MEG?

Answer 8

Magnetoencephalography. Measures brain activity by detecting tiny magnetic fields generated from the brain.

Question 9

What is localization of function?

Answer 9

Brains areas that are active during a specific psychological task over and above a basal rate of activity.

Question 10

What is localization?

Answer 10

Many functions rely on one cerebral hemisphere more than the other, such as language or verbal skill.

Question 11

What is split-brain surgery?

Answer 11

Operation where neurosurgeons separate patient’s hemispheres by severing the corpus callosum. Used to offer relief from seizures. Patients experience fragmentation.

Question 12

What is fragmentation?

Answer 12

Generally information crosses over to other hemisphere. If the corpus callosum is severed, this doesn’t occur. Leads to separation of functions.

Question 13

What are chromosomes?

Answer 13

Linear rods of DNA and genetic information in which humans have 23 different types. (21 autosomes and 46 in total)

Question 14

What is the genome?

Answer 14

Complete assembly of genes.

Question 15

What is the phenotype?

Answer 15

Physical manifestation of genetic information.

Question 16

What is genotype?

Answer 16

Assembly of different alleles.

Question 17

What is a dominant allele?

Answer 17

Masks the recessive allele.

Question 18

What is an allele?

Answer 18

Variant of a gene.

Question 19

What is fitness?

Answer 19

Relative reproductive success.

Question 20

What is behavioural genetics?

Answer 20

Study of how nature and nurture affects psychological traits.

Question 21

What is heritability?

Answer 21

Extent to which genes contribute to differences in traits among individuals.

Question 22

What are the different behavioural genetic designs?

Answer 22

Family studies, twin studies, adoption studies.

Question 23

What are family studies?

Answer 23

Examine the extent to which a characteristic runs in intact families.

Question 24

What are twin studies?

Answer 24

Examine differences between identical and fraternal twins in traits.

Question 25

What are adoption studies?

Answer 25

Examine the extent to which children adopted into new homes resemble their adoptive parents, as opposed to their biological ones.

Question 26

What is selective placement?

Answer 26

Adoption agencies often place children in homes similar to those of their biological parents. Proves a potential confound for adoption studies.