Psychology- MCAT Hero- sensing the environment

Question 1

weber law

Answer 1

delta I / I = K

so for question find out what delta I is and divide by I to find k

100, feel dif at 110 –> delta I = 10

10/100= 0.1

so now if asks if I =1000 when will I feel a dif?

Question 2

4 outcomes from signal detection theory

Answer 2

hit- present and detected
miss- present but missed
false pos- no signal but thought was
accurate rejection- no signal and rejected

Question 3

propioceptor

Answer 3

located in tendons, ligaments and joints- special type of mechanoreceptor to detect position of the body

Question 4

ciliary mucscles

Answer 4

change shape of lens

Question 5

light converts ___- retinal to ____ retinal

Answer 5

cis to trans, this causes hyper polarization of the photoreceptor cell

In retinal, absorption of a photon promotes a p electron to a higher-energy orbital (a p-p* excitation). This excitation “breaks” the p component of the double bond, thus allowing free rotation about the bond between carbon atom 11 and carbon atom 12 (see Figure 5). Thus, when 11-cis-retinal absorbs a photon in the visible range of the spectrum, free rotation about the bond between carbon atom 11 and carbon atom 12 can occur and the all-trans-retinal can form. This isomerization occurs in a few picoseconds (10-12 s) or less. Energy from light is crucial for this isomerization process: absorption of a photon leads to isomerization about half the time; in contrast, spontaneous isomerization in the dark occurs only once in 1000 years! The molecule resulting from the isomerization is called all-trans-retin

Question 6

eardrum

Answer 6

tympanic membrane - before the 3 small bones (ossicles) in the tympanic cavity

Question 7

auditory process

Answer 7

sound–> ear drum–> ossicles–> cochleae –> vestibulocochlear nerve –> brainstem –> thalmus —> auditory cortex (in temporal lobe) - this is where it is translated into what we can understand

MGN

Question 8

brainstem in hearing

Answer 8

details such as frequency, location and duration are deciphered

Question 9

bitter taste

Answer 9

quinine

Question 10

sour

Answer 10

acidic

Question 11

umami

Answer 11

amino acids, glutamate and nucleotides

Question 12

kinaesthetic sense vs vestibular sense

Answer 12

kin–> muscle memory, position, movement, –> proprioception

vest–> hair cells in the ear –> balance focused

Question 13

3 components of emotion

Answer 13

cognitive, physiological, behavioural

Question 14

joy vs happiness

Answer 14

happiness is shorter

joy - more through spiritual connections, witnessing/completing selfless acts

Question 15

Brain region involved in the generation and experience of emotions

Answer 15

limbic system (HAT hippo)

Question 16

role of limbic in emotion

Answer 16

1- amygdala
2- amygdala communicates to the hypothalamus which controls physiological features - HR, loss of appetite
3- hypo interacts with prefrontal cortex- this area decides how someone will choose to behave in the situation

Question 17

physiological aspect of our emotions controlled under

Answer 17

limbic system, autonomic system, RAS

Question 18

the nature of stress

Answer 18

1- appraisal ( the way someone interprets any given event )

Question 19

excess cortisol and the immune system

Answer 19

prevents activity of WBC

Question 20

cognitive appraisal

Answer 20

subjective evaluation of the stressor

Question 21

primary vs secondary appraisal

Answer 21

primary= initial examination (is it irrelevant, being-positive, or stressful)

if it is evaluated as stressful the secondary appraisal happens
secondary= evaluation of ones ability to cope with the stress

Question 22

general adaptation syndrome

Answer 22

three distinct stages

1. alarm
2. resistance
3. exhaustive - leading to burnout breakdown

Question 23

arousal theory

Answer 23

ppl preform actions to maintain arousal - state of being awake and reactive to stimuli - seeking to achieve optimal arousal the it falls below certain level and decrease it when too high

Question 24

Yerkes-dodson law

Answer 24

a U shape curve of optimal arousal

Question 25

expenctancy- value theory

Answer 25

postulates that motivation for a given behavior or action is determined by two factors: (i) expectancy, ie, how probable it is that a wanted (instrumental) outcome is achieved through the behavior or action; (ii) value, ie, how much the individual values the desired outcome.

motivation is a function of 2 variables: expectancy and value (ability and benefit)

expectancy: their belief in their ability to succeed. for motivation to occur, the learner needs to have faith that they have some ability to succed- ppl are motivated to do something they will ikley fail at
value: for motivation to occur - learner needs to see benerfit and value in what the desired outcome is

Question 26

incentive theory

Answer 26

desire to pursue rewards or incentives

Question 27

4 primacy factors that influence motivation

Answer 27

instincts, arousal, drives and needs

Question 28

opponent- process theory

Answer 28

explains continuous drug use

• body will counter the drug
  ex. alcohol is a depressant, so to compensate to continued exposure, body will increase arousal - result in withdrawal symptoms that last longer than the drug - anxiety, bitterness and irritability

Question 29

contends that the primary or initial reaction to an emotional event (State A) will be followed by an opposite secondary emotional state (State B).

used to explain why ppl enjoy rollercaosters

Answer 29

opponent-process theory of motivation

In other words, a stimulus that initially inspires displeasure will likely be followed by a pleasurable after-feeling and vice versa. The second important aspect of this theory is that after repeated exposure to the same emotional event, the State A reaction will begin to weaken, whereas the State B reaction will strengthen in intensity and duration. Thus, over time, the after-feeling can become the prevailing emotional experience associated with a particular stimulus event. One example of this phenomenon is how, for some people, an initial unpleasant fear aroused by a good roller-coaster ride becomes, over time, an enjoyable and much sought-after experience.

Question 30

3 components in self-determination theory

Answer 30

autonomy ( in control of ones actions), competence (complete and excel n tasks) and relatedness (need to feel accepted and wanted in relationships)

is a macro theory of human motivation and personality that concerns people’s inherent growth tendencies and innate psychological needs. It is concerned with the motivation behind choices people make without external influence and interference.

Question 31

describe mallows hierarchy

Answer 31

from bottom to top

• physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, self-actualization

Question 32

ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the ventral prefrontal cortex

Answer 32

VPC- is critical for experiencing emotion and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex is included in controlling emotional responses from the amygdala and design making

Question 33

3 things I can classify the stress as

Answer 33

irrelevant
banging- positive
stressful —> then go on to secondary appraisal - how well can I cope?

Question 34

forebrain includes

Answer 34

cerebrum, thalamus, limbic, hypo

for abstract thinking, logic and emotions

Question 35

midbrain

Answer 35

tegmenjtum, tectum and cerebral peduncles

production of dopamine, vision and hearing

Question 36

hindbrain

Answer 36

cerebellum, pons, medular

- vital body functions and sexual arousal

Question 37

left side of brain more for

Answer 37

processing the high visual field- grammar, positive emotions, speech (Broca and wernick) and writing

more logic and reasoning (math and science) whereas the right is more art and creativity

Question 38

right side for

Answer 38

processing the left visual field, negative emotions, recognition of emotions and spatial skills (facial recognition)

creativity and art

Question 39

GABA function

Answer 39

reduce the excitability of neurons ( def can lead to anxiety and depression)

Question 40

high levels of PTH cause

Answer 40

released by the parathyroid hormone - PTH cause increase level of calcium

bc calcitonin –> tone down the calcium

Question 41

route of embryonic development

Answer 41

zygote, morula, blastula

Question 42

Psychoanalytic perspective-

Answer 42

developed by Sigmund Freud, says that our personalities are comprised of unconscious memories, emotions, and thoughts. It is thought that our dreams reveal elements of our unconsciousness.

Question 43

Trait perspective

Answer 43

our personality is determined by the presence and absence of differing levels of traits

Question 44

says that our personality is formed through various environmental and cognitive experiences, and through observational learning, we are likely to mimic positive behaviors that we observe in others.
(e.g. If you see someone going to the gym everyday, and the result is a fit, muscular body, you may copy this behavior in hopes of attaining the same result)

Answer 44

social cognitive perspective of personality

Question 45

diff between biological perspective and behaviourist perspective

Answer 45

Biological perspective- says that at least part of our personality is predetermined by our genetic make-up.

Behaviorist perspective- says that our personalities are produced by patterns of behavior that we learn according to our environment
(e.g. If we grow with parents that behave supportively, we are more likely to be supportive parents ourselves).

Question 46

The trait vs. state controversy

Answer 46

states that the severity of someone’s reaction in any given situation is dictated by their traits (personality) or by the situation itself (state).

Question 47

Biomedical vs. biopsychosocial approaches

Answer 47

Biomedical approach- this approach looks at psychological disorders from a biological perspective, including factors such as genetics, brain structure, and brain chemistry.
Biopsychosocial approach- this approach looks at psychological disorders from a sociological/cultural perspective including factors such as education, socioeconomic standards, and expectations held by peers.

Question 48

components of attitude

Answer 48

cognitive, affective and behavioural

Question 49

cognitive

Answer 49

someones belief and knowledge- know lions are dangerous, your attitude towards them may be negative and earful

Question 50

affective

Answer 50

someones feeling or emotions- largely shape attitude - if you love someone, most likely dress with loving attitude

Question 51

behavioural

Answer 51

someones actions