Quiz Questions Flashcards
Cells A and B receive the same high levels of stimulation, but Cell A shows a lower level of activity relative to Cell B. A likely explanation for this fact is that Cell A
is being laterally inhibited by neighboring cells
What is the Gestalt property whereby objects that appear larger on the retinal image are assumed by the mind to be closer to the observer in space than objects that appear smaller on the retinal image?
proximity
What is the type of processing whereby each input is analyzed separately, in a sequential order?
serial processing
A researcher wishes to define the receptive field for a particular neuron in the visual cortex. To do this, the researcher will need to specify
an area in the visual field within which targets will cause the cell to fire.
Researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) detect activity in the fusiform face area (FFA) when participants view faces. This result on its own tells us that activity in the FFA
is correlated with facial recognition.
In one study, researchers developed a mouse strain that lacked a particular type of cell in the hippocampus. Mice without this type of cell demonstrated poor learning. What could the researchers conclude from this?
This type of cell is important for learning.
Doctors suspect that Paolo has a tumor in his brain, and they hope to learn the exact position of the tumor. For this purpose, they are likely to rely on
MRI
A patient in a hospital has suffered a significant trauma to the left side of their head, exhibits difficulty moving, and has slurred speech. The attending physician suspects that there may be damage to the patient’s cerebral cortex. After the patient undergoes a battery of neuropsychological testing, it is revealed that the patient is unable to move their arms or legs purposefully unless the movement is demonstrated to them. While their speech is slurred, they have normal control of eyegaze and attention, and can comprehend instructions given to them. The patient is also able to recognize and point out common objects presented to them. Which cognitive disorder is this patient most likely to be diagnosed with?
apraxia
A participant is asked to “look within” himself or herself and report on his or her own mental processes. This method is called
introspection
Which of the following statements provides the most serious obstacle to the use of introspection as a source of scientific evidence?
When data is collected through introspection, researchers have no way to independently assess the data.
What is the major theoretical argument from Gestalt Psychology regarding perception?
Behaviors, ideas, & perceptions must be understood as parts of a whole.
In cognition, as in other sciences, we develop predictions that can be tested. These predictions are generally referred to as
hypotheses
