unit 0-1 Flashcards
1
Q
- experimentally destroys brain tissue to study behaviors after such destruction
- usually done for scientific or medicinal purposes
A
brain lesion
2
Q
an amplified recording of the electrical waves sweeping across the brain’s surface, measured by electrodes placed on the scalp
A
electroencephalogram
3
Q
uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of brain tissue
A
MRI scan
4
Q
measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. the patient interacts with information during the scan to show that activity
A
fMRI scan
5
Q
a process that’s used to observe metabolic processes in the body and brain. patient ingests a radioactive form of glucose, then scan takes pictures of it being used in the body/brain
A
PET scan
6
Q
combines a series of x-ray images to allow taken rom different angles, that create cross-sectional images of the body (bone) and brain
A
CAT scan
7
Q
a set of brain structures located on both sides of the thalamus, immediately beneath the temporal lobe, that controls emotion, behavior, motivation, learning, and memory
A
limbic system
8
Q
the user most layer of the cerebrum and the most prominent part of the brain
A
cerebral cortex
9
Q
made up of gray matter that covers the inner white matter of the cerebrum
A
cerebral cortex
10
Q
responsible for most of the sophisticated information processing of the brain
A
cerebral cortex
11
Q
judgment, planning, producing speech sounds, emotions, personality, temperament, movement, works with the motor cortex to make precise movements
A
frontal lobe / prefrontal cortex
12
Q
- located at the back of the frontal lobe, largely responsible for voluntary movement of parts of the body
- if parts are stimulated, corresponding parts of the body will move
- movements that are precise or delicate are controlled by considerably larger portions of this
A
motor cortex
13
Q
body position, spatial reasoning (touch, pressure, temperature, pain), somatosensory cortex
A
parietal lobe
14
Q
- located at the front of the parietal lobe, largely responsible for perceiving touch and pressure on parts of the body
- if a part is stimulated, it would cause the person to “feel” pressure on the corresponding part of the body
- the more sensitive the area, the more surface area is dedicated to it
A
sensory cortex
15
Q
hearing, storing long term memories, speech and language, understanding
A
temporal lobe
16
Q
all aspects of vision, each piece of visual cortex corresponds to a particular place on the retina… receiving only information from that place… the pieces are later put together to form the whole
A
occipital lobe
17
Q
in left temporal lobe, responsible. for language comprehension and expression
A
wernicke’s area
18
Q
in left frontal lobe, responsible for directing motor movement involved in speech
A
broca’s area
19
Q
left hemisphere
A
speech, grammar rules, reading, writing, arithmetic, verbal memory, language sounds, words, letters
20
Q
right hemisphere
A
geometry, sense of direction, distance, mental rotation of shapes, emotional tone of speech, nonverbal memory, non language sounds, music, geometric patterns, faces, emotional expressions
21
Q
the brain’s ability to continuously change throughout ones life due to it’s use
A
brain plasticity / neuroplasticity
22
Q
- the study of how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved overt time to enhance survival and reproductive success
- seeks to understand universal human behaviors and mental processes through the lens of evolutionary principles
A
evolutionary perspective
23
Q
- the process by which organisms with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to future generations
- it explains how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time in response to environmental pressures
A
natural selection
24
Q
- the inherent biological and genetic factors that influence an individual’s psychological development, traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities
- traits inherited from parents, how our brain is structured, our natural temperament, how smart we are, our chances of having certain mental health conditions, basic instincts we’re born with, genetic disorders that affect our behavior or thinking
A
nature “genes”
25
- the environmental influences and experiences that shape an individual's psychological development, behaviors, and cognitive process
- early childhood experiences, parenting styles and methods, social relationships, surrounding culture, educational opportunities and experiences, socioeconomic status and access to resources, exposure to media and technology, life events and significant experiences
nature "environment"
26
examines similarities and differences between identical and fraternal twin to assess the relative influence of genetics and environment on traits and behaviors
twin studies
27
investigates similarities between adopted children and their biological and adoptive families to assess the impact of genetic versus environment on various traits and behaviors
adoption studies
28
analyzes similarities and differences among family members, including parents and siblings, to understand the interplay of genetics and environment in shaping traits and behaviors within family unit
family studies
29
- the transmission of genetic information from biological parents to offspring
- helps us figure out how much of our traits come from our genes and how much comes from our environment
heredity
30
the inherited likelihood of developing specific traits or conditions due to genetic factors from biological parents
genetic predisposition
31
- the belief in improving genetic quality of a human population by controlling reproduction to increase desirable traits and decrease undesirable ones
- this concept has historically been associated with discriminatory practices, including forced sterilization and selective breeding, based on flawed ideas of racial superiority and genetic determinism
eugenics
32
Which of the following research designs would be most effective in disentangling the effects of nature and nurture in the development of intelligence?
a. case studies
b. surveys
c. twin studies
d. experimental designs
c. twin studies
33
Which of the following scenarios is an application of the evolutionary perspective to understanding human behavior?
a. analyzing how fear responses may have offered survival advantages
b. observing the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions
c. studying the impact of reward systems on student performance
d. all of the above
a. analyzing how fear responses may have offered survival advantages
34
Anna and Beth are identical twins who were separated at birth and raised in very different environments. Anna grew up in a suburban, middle-class family, while Beth was raised in a rural, low-income area. Despite these differences, both excel in athletics and have similar temperaments. This scenario best demonstrates the influence of:
a. nurture
b. nature
c. adoption studies
d. family studies
b. nature
35
In a study of siblings, one sibling develops a mental health disorder while the other does not, despite similar upbringings. This differential susceptibility is most likely due to:
a. family studies
b. natural selection
c. nurture
d. genetic predisposition
d. genetic predisposition
36
Considering the evolutionary perspective, which trait would most likely have been favored by natural selection in early human societies?
a. aggression, as it increases chances of survival and resource acquisition
b. passivity, as it promotes group harmony
c. dependence on others, as it could lead to neglect
d. inability to feel pain as it could lead to severe injuries
a. aggression, as it increases chances of survival and resource acquisition
37
- the outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, including thinking, perceiving, and decision-making
- highly folded to increase its surface area, allowing for complex neural processing and integration of information
cerebral cortex
38
refer to the four main regions or sections into which the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, is divided
lobes of the brain
39
What are the four main regions of the brain?
frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe
40
parts of the brain that take information from all over the place -- like what we see, hear, smell, and touch -- and put it together to help us understand the world around us
association areas
41
located at the front of the brain and are involved in higher-level cognitive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, planning, and personality expression
frontal lobes
42
a region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions and executive functioning
prefrontal cortex
43
a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, strategize, focus attention, regulate emotions, and manage time effectively
executive functioning
44
- region of the brain located in the frontal lobe, responsible for planning, executing, and controlling voluntary movements of the body
- it sends signals to the muscles, enabling us to perform actions such as walking, talking, and grasping objects
motor cortex
45
located at the top of the brain and are primarily responsible for processing sensory information from the body, such as touch, temperature, and spatial awareness
parietal lobes
46
- region of the brain located in the parietal lobe, responsible for processing sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints
- it interprets touch, pressure, temperature, and pain signals from different parts of the body, allowing us to perceive and respond to sensory stimuli
somatosensory cortex
47
- located at the back of the brain and is primarily responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes
- it contains the primary visual cortex, which interprets visual stimuli and helps us perceive shapes, colors, and motion
occipital lobes
48
- located on the sides of the brain and are involved in processing auditory information, language comprehension, and memory formation
- they contain the auditory cortex, which interprets sound signals from the ears
temporal lobes
49
thick band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, facilitating communication and information sharing between the two hemispheres
corpus callosum
50
- the oldest and most primitive part of the brain, responsible for basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing, heart rate, and sleep-wake cycles
- it serves as a pathway for neural signals traveling between the brain and the rest of the body, connecting the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord
brainstem
51
- vital structure located at the base of the brainstem, regulating essential autonomic functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure
- it serves as a relay station for nerve signals traveling between the brain and the spinal cord, controlling involuntary bodily processes crucial for survival
medulla
52
- a network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a critical role in regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness
- it filters sensory information and modulates overall brain activity, helping to maintain wakefulness and alertness
reticular activating system
53
- located at the back of the brain, below the cerebral hemispheres, responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture
- it receives input from sensory systems and other parts of the brain to fine-tune motor movements and ensure smooth coordination
cerebellum
54
located beneath the cerebral cortex, is a set of brain structures involved in emotions, memory, and motivation
limbic system
55
network of brain structures, primarily located in the limbic system, that processes pleasurable experiences and reinforces behaviors associated with them
reward center
56
- a relay station in the brain that processes and relays sensory information, such as sight, sound, touch, and taste, to the cerebral cortex
- It acts as a gateway for sensory input, directing signals to the appropriate areas of the brain for further processing
thalamus
57
- a small but powerful structure located below the thalamus, responsible for regulating various essential bodily functions, including hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the sleep-wake cycle
- it serves as a control center helping to maintain homeostasis in the body
hypothalamus
58
- small pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain, often referred to as the "master gland" due to its central role in regulating hormone production and secretion throughout the body
- plays a critical role in coordinating hormonal activity and maintaining homeostasis in the body
pituitary gland
59
curved structure located within the brain's temporal lobes, primarily responsible for forming and consolidating new memories
hippocampus
60
- small, almond-shaped structure located deep within the brain's temporal lobes, involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression
- it plays a central role in the brain's threat detection system, triggering the body's fight-or-flight response in response to perceive danger
amygdala
61
During a routine check-up, a neurologist explains to a patient that the part of their brain responsible for processing tactile information, like the feeling of a soft blanket or the pain of a pinprick, is highly active. This description best pertains to which part of the brain?
a. motor cortex
b. somatosensory cortex
c. occipital lobes
d. temporal lobes
b. somatosensory cortex
62
Ella, a pianist, practices a new piece for an upcoming concert. The region of her brain that coordinates the complex movements of her fingers is particularly active during her practice sessions. This region is known as:
a. cerebral cortex
b. parietal lobes
c. cerebellum
d. motor cortex
d. motor cortex
63
A neuroscientist studying emotion and memory is particularly interested in the role of two brain structures: one involved in forming new memories and another in processing emotional reactions. These structures are the:
a. hippocampus and amygdala
b. thalamus and hypothalamus
c. cerebellum and medulla
d. reticular activating system and limbic system
a. hippocampus and amygdala
64
During a car accident, Leo hit his head, leading to a temporary loss of vision. His neurologist explains that the impact likely affected the back part of his brain, which is responsible for visual processing. This part of the brain is called the:
a. parietal lobes
b. occipital lobes
c. temporal lobes
d. frontal lobes
b. occipital lobes
65
Sarah has been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance involving her body's stress response. Her doctor explains that a small gland, acting as the master gland of the body, might not be functioning properly. This gland is known as the:
a. thalamus
b. hypothalamus
c. pituitary gland
d. pineal gland
c. pituitary gland
66
the body's communication network, consisting of a complex system of nerves, neurons, and specialized cells
nervous system
67
consists of the brain and spinal cord. it serves as the command center of the body, responsible for processing information, coordinating responses, and regulating bodily functions
central nervous system
68
- consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord
- it serves as a communication network, transmitting sensory information from the body to the central nervous system
peripheral nervous system
69
- division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions, it operates automatically, without conscious control
- consists of two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
autonomic nervous system
70
- responsible for activating the body's "fight or flight" response in times of stress or danger
- increases heart rate, dilates airways, and redirects blood flow to essential organs, preparing the body to respond to perceived threats
sympathetic nervous system
71
- responsible for promoting relaxation and restoring the body to a calm state after experiencing stress or danger
- it slows heart rate, constricts airways, and enhances digestion, allowing the body to conserve energy and recover from stressors
parasympathetic nervous system
72
division of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling voluntary movements and relaying sensory information from the body to the central nervous system
somatic nervous system
73
- specialized cell that serves as the building block of the nervous system, transmitting electrical and chemical signals throughout the body
- it consists of three main parts: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and axon
neurons
74
- the "support cells" of the nervous system, provide structural support, insulation, and nourishment to neurons
- play essential roles in maintaining brain health and supporting neuronal function
glial cells
75
- nerve cells that transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and organs, initiating and controlling voluntary and involuntary movements
- they receive commands from the brain or spinal cord and convey these signals to muscles, causing them to contract or relax
motor neurons
76
- specialized nerve cells that transmit sensory information from sensory receptors, such as those ini the skin, muscles, and organs, to the central nervous system
- they detect various stimuli, including touch, temperature, and environmental changes, and convert these stimuli into electrical signals that can be processed by the brain
sensory neurons
77
nerve cells that serve as connectors within the central nervous system, relaying signals between sensory neurons and motor neurons
interneurons
78
- neural pathway that controls reflex actions, allowing for rapid, automatic responses to sensory stimuli without conscious thought
- sensory neurons detect stimuli and send signals to the spinal cord. interneurons relay this information to motor neurons, which trigger reflexive muscle or gland responses, such as withdrawing a hand from a hot surface
- they protect the body and enable quick reactions to potential dangers
reflex arc
79
During a neuroscience class, Dr. Ellis explains that the type of cells responsible for supporting, nourishing, and protecting neurons are:
a. glial cells
b. sensory neurons
c. interneurons
d. motor neurons
a. glial cells
80
While playing a video game, Mark's ability to quickly respond to visual stimuli by pressing buttons is largely due to the rapid communication between:
a. sensory neurons and motor neurons
b. motor neurons and glial cells
c. sensory neurons and interneurons
d. interneurons and motor nuerons
d. interneurons and motor neurons
81
In an emergency, when a person needs to react quickly to danger, which part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for increasing heart rate and adrenaline flow?
a. autonomic nervous system
b. sympathetic nervous system
c. parasympathetic nervous system
d. somatic nervous system
b. sympathetic nervous system
82
Lily is learning to play the violin. The neurons responsible for carrying commands from her brain to her fingers to correctly move the bow are called:
a. sensory neurons
b. interneurons
c. motor neurons
d. glial cells
c. motor neurons
83
Sophie experiences a sudden, sharp pain when she steps on a piece of glass. The type of neurons that first detect this painful stimulus and send signals to the brain are:
a. motor neurons
b. sensory neurons
c. interneurons
d. glial cells
b. sensory neurons
84
Below is a transcript of a case study about an individual named Arjun.
Arjun was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with seizures regularly. After trying multiple unsuccessful treatments, his neurologist recommended surgery that severed the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Arjun agreed to the surgery.
After surgery, Arjun experienced changes that were noticed during special testing in a laboratory setting by a researcher. In the laboratory, psychologists flashed different images or words to his left and right visual fields. Arjun could easily speak the names of items that were flashed to his right visual field. He could not easily speak the names of items that were flashed to this left visual field. Arjun was studied by a researcher for many years, and his experiences went unchanged. The researcher published the research with Arjun where he shared Arjun’s experience and his first and last name.
Which of the following parts of the brain was severed to address Arjun’s epileptic seizures?
a. amygdala
b. cerebellum
c. corpus callosum
d. medulla
c. corpus callosum
85
Below is a transcript of a case study about an individual named Arjun.
Arjun was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with seizures regularly. After trying multiple unsuccessful treatments, his neurologist recommended surgery that severed the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Arjun agreed to the surgery.
After surgery, Arjun experienced changes that were noticed during special testing in a laboratory setting by a researcher. In the laboratory, psychologists flashed different images or words to his left and right visual fields. Arjun could easily speak the names of items that were flashed to his right visual field. He could not easily speak the names of items that were flashed to this left visual field. Arjun was studied by a researcher for many years, and his experiences went unchanged. The researcher published the research with Arjun where he shared Arjun’s experience and his first and last name.
Which of the following parts of the brain allowed Arjun to speak the names of the items flashed to his right visual field?
a. hypothalamus
b. hippocampus
c. primary visual cortex
d. broca's area
d. broca's area
86
Below is a transcript of a case study about an individual named Arjun.
Arjun was diagnosed with epilepsy and struggled with seizures regularly. After trying multiple unsuccessful treatments, his neurologist recommended surgery that severed the connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. Arjun agreed to the surgery.
After surgery, Arjun experienced changes that were noticed during special testing in a laboratory setting by a researcher. In the laboratory, psychologists flashed different images or words to his left and right visual fields. Arjun could easily speak the names of items that were flashed to his right visual field. He could not easily speak the names of items that were flashed to this left visual field. Arjun was studied by a researcher for many years, and his experiences went unchanged. The researcher published the research with Arjun where he shared Arjun’s experience and his first and last name.
Which of the following ethical procedures did the researcher neglect when they published the research with Arjun?
a. confidentiality
b. informed consent
c. deception
d. sampling bias
a. confidentiality
87
Researchers measured changes in neural firing in the frontal lobes for ten rats that were exposed to stimulants. The researchers used an MRI that indicates brain activity with colors. Normal brain activity is indicated by greens and yellows. High brain activity is indicated by reds and oranges. Low brain activity is indicated by grays and blues. All the rat’s brains showed normal activity prior to being exposed to the stimulant.
What type of study was being conducted by the researcher?
a. correlation
b. experiment
c. case
d. longitudinal
b. experiment
88
Researchers measured changes in neural firing in the frontal lobes for ten rats that were exposed to stimulants. The researchers used an MRI that indicates brain activity with colors. Normal brain activity is indicated by greens and yellows. High brain activity is indicated by reds and oranges. Low brain activity is indicated by grays and blues. All the rat’s brains showed normal activity prior to being exposed to the stimulant.
What is the operational definition of neural activity in the rats?
a. the amount of stimulant given to each rat
b. random selection of the rats from a large population to be part of the stimulant group
c. the color presented in the MRI images
d. the size of the rats' frontal lobes
c. the color present in the MRI images
89
Researchers measured changes in neural firing in the frontal lobes for ten rats that were exposed to stimulants. The researchers used an MRI that indicates brain activity with colors. Normal brain activity is indicated by greens and yellows. High brain activity is indicated by reds and oranges. Low brain activity is indicated by grays and blues. All the rat’s brains showed normal activity prior to being exposed to the stimulant.
Which of the following is a prediction that could be made about the activity of the rats’ brains when exposed to the stimulant?
a. the MRI will show more green and yellows when exposed to the stimulants
b. the MRI will show more blues and grays when exposed to the stimulant
c. the MRI will show no difference in neural activity
d. the MRI should show more oranges and reds when exposed to the stimulant
d. the MRI should show more oranges and reds when exposed to the stimulant
90
Sleep researchers conducted a study to determine if wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine helps individuals who are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea to increase their levels of REM sleep compared to those not using a CPAP device.
Twenty participants with sleep apnea who did not previously wear a CPAP device were randomly placed into one of two groups. Group 1 slept without wearing a CPAP device, and researchers measured the percentage of total sleep time each participant spent in REM.
Participants in Group 2 were given a CPAP device to wear while sleeping and researchers measured the percentage of total sleep time each participant spent in REM. The results are given in the graph.
What is the independent variable in this study?
a. the use or nonuse of the CPAP device by participants
b. the percentage of total sleep time that participants spent in REM sleep
c. the severity of sleep apnea symptoms for each participant
d. the number of participants in each group
a. the use or nonuse of the CPAP device by participants
91
Sleep researchers conducted a study to determine if wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine helps individuals who are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea to increase their levels of REM sleep compared to those not using a CPAP device.
Twenty participants with sleep apnea who did not previously wear a CPAP device were randomly placed into one of two groups. Group 1 slept without wearing a CPAP device, and researchers measured the percentage of total sleep time each participant spent in REM.
Participants in Group 2 were given a CPAP device to wear while sleeping and researchers measured the percentage of total sleep time each participant spent in REM. The results are given in the graph.
Why is it necessary in this study to have at least one experimental condition and one control conditions?
a. without the experimental condition, there would not be enough participants in the study
b. it is necessary to determine if the placebo effect played a role in the outcome of the study
c. the control condition provides a comparison to the experimental condition
d. the inclusion of an experimental condition eliminates the possibility of confounding variables
c. the control condition provides a comparison to the experimental condition
92
Sleep researchers conducted a study to determine if wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine helps individuals who are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea to increase their levels of REM sleep compared to those not using a CPAP device.
Twenty participants with sleep apnea who did not previously wear a CPAP device were randomly placed into one of two groups. Group 1 slept without wearing a CPAP device, and researchers measured the percentage of total sleep time each participant spent in REM.
Participants in Group 2 were given a CPAP device to wear while sleeping and researchers measured the percentage of total sleep time each participant spent in REM. The results are given in the graph.
Which of the following psychological perspectives would best support a researcher’s belief that the dreams that occur in REM sleep are a result of random neural firing in the brain stem?
a. cognitive
b. sociocultural
c. psychodynamic
d. biological
d. biological
93
Dr. Schmidt was interested in the relationship between sensation of a stimulus and the sensation of change in a stimulus. She tested this using sensation of weight. Participants were blindfolded and given two equal weights to hold one in each hand. With each trial, she added a slightly heavier weight to one hand than the other. The participant was asked to notify her if or when one felt heavier. She found that it was more difficult for the participants to determine the difference in the weights when the equal weights from the first trial were heavy.
What type of research study did Dr. Schmidt conduct?
a. a correlational study
b. a meta-analysis
c. an experiment
d. a cross-sectional study
c. an experiment
94
Dr. Schmidt was interested in the relationship between sensation of a stimulus and the sensation of change in a stimulus. She tested this using sensation of weight. Participants were blindfolded and given two equal weights to hold one in each hand. With each trial, she added a slightly heavier weight to one hand than the other. The participant was asked to notify her if or when one felt heavier. She found that it was more difficult for the participants to determine the difference in the weights when the equal weights from the first trial were heavy.
What was the independent variable in this research study?
a. blindfolding the participants
b. comparison of the weights in both hands
c. the number of trials completed
d. the heaviness of the weights
d. the heaviness of the weights
95
Dr. Schmidt was interested in the relationship between sensation of a stimulus and the sensation of change in a stimulus. She tested this using sensation of weight. Participants were blindfolded and given two equal weights to hold one in each hand. With each trial, she added a slightly heavier weight to one hand than the other. The participant was asked to notify her if or when one felt heavier. She found that it was more difficult for the participants to determine the difference in the weights when the equal weights from the first trial were heavy.
Dr. Schmidt’s findings best support which of the following psychological concepts?
a. weber's law
b. the law of effect
c. sensory adaptation
d. yerkes-dodson law
a. weber's law
96
