EXAM 1 PRACTICE EXAM ANNOTATED
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1. |
________ processing refers to how the physical characteristics of
stimuli influence their interpretation. |
|
|
A) |
Top-down (always involves
interpretation) |
|
B) |
Bottom-up (does not involve
interpretation) |
|
C) |
Parapsychological (this involves
esp, astrology, etc., not scientific) |
|
D) |
Extrasensory (this involves
things other than the body senses) |
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2. |
Joshua moves into his dorm near the
train tracks on |
|
|
A) |
adaptation. (bottom-up,
sensory process of decreased receptor activity) |
|
B) |
habituation. (top-down
perceptual process of decreased attention/awareness) |
|
C) |
selective attention. (this
is necessary for perception/encoding) |
|
D) |
naturalistic observation. (this
is a research method) |
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3. |
Assuming that the visual systems of humans and other mammals function
similarly, you would expect that the retina of a nocturnal mammal (one active
only at night) would contain: |
|
|
A) |
mostly
cones. |
|
B) |
mostly
rods. |
|
C) |
an
equal number of rods and cones. |
|
D) |
more
bipolar cells than an animal active only during the day. |
RODS and CONES WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL
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4. |
As the football game continued into the night, LeVar
noticed that he was having difficulty distinguishing the colors of the
players' uniforms. This is because the ________, which enable color vision,
have a ________ absolute threshold for brightness than the available light
intensity. |
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|
A) |
rods; higher |
|
B) |
cones; higher |
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C) |
rods; lower |
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D) |
cones; lower |
RODS and CONES WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL
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5. |
The goals of psychology are to _____. |
|
|
A) |
explore the conscious and
unconscious functions of the human mind (partial
goal) |
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B) |
understand, compare, and analyze human
behavior (partial goal) |
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C) |
improve psychological well-being in all individuals from
birth until death (partial goal) |
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D) |
describe, explain, predict,
and control behavior (this is the
complete range of goals) |
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6. |
Megan was certain that she would never
live far away from her family. However, she actually did move later to
develop her career. Megan's experience best illustrates: |
|
|
A) |
the hindsight bias. (“I knew it all along” phenomenon) |
|
B) |
illusory correlation.
(perception of a relationship where none really exists) |
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C) |
random assignment. (methodological
component) |
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D) |
the placebo effect. (reporting an effect without a real treatment cause) |
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E) |
overconfidence. (mistaken
prediction) |
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7. |
Professor Delano suggests that because
people are especially attracted to those who are good-looking, handsome men
will be more successful than average-looking men in securing employment. The
professor's prediction regarding employment success exemplifies: |
|
|
A) |
the hindsight bias. (“I knew it all along” phenomenon) |
|
B) |
the placebo effect. (reporting an effect without a real treatment cause) |
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C) |
an hypothesis. (potential
cause-effect relationship) |
|
D) |
illusory correlation.
(perception of a relationship where none really exists) |
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8. |
The case study is a research method in
which: |
|
|
A) |
a single individual is studied in great depth. (correct definition) |
|
B) |
a representative sample of people are questioned
regarding their opinions or behaviors. (observational) |
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C) |
organisms are carefully observed in a laboratory
environment. (observational) |
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D) |
an investigator manipulates one or more variables
that might affect behavior. (experiment) |
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9. |
If the correlation between the physical
weight and reading ability of elementary school students is +.85, this would
indicate that: |
|
|
A) |
the relationship between weight and reading ability
among elementary school students is not statistically significant. (correlation NEVER provides a
cause-effect relationship) |
|
B) |
Reading ability increases physical
weight in elementary school children. (correlation
NEVER provides a cause-effect relationship) |
|
C) |
Greater physical weight increases
reading ability among elementary school students. (correlation NEVER provides a cause-effect relationship) |
|
D) |
body weight has no causal influence on the reading
abilities of elementary school children. (correct
answer) |
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10. |
In which type of research would an
investigator manipulate one factor in order to observe its effect on some
behavior or mental process? |
|
|
A) |
the survey (observational – no manipulation) |
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B) |
the case study (single individual – no generalization) |
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C) |
Experimentation (correct definition) |
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D) |
naturalistic observation (observational – no manipulation) |
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11. |
Dr. Wolski
does research on the potential relationship between neurotransmitter
deficiencies and mood states. Which psychological perspective does Dr. Wolski's research best represent? |
|
|
A) |
Phrenology (psuedopsychology) |
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B) |
Biopsychology (the interaction of biology and behavior) |
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C) |
Psychoanalysis (deals with unconscious conficts, such as
inappropriate sexual urges) |
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D) |
clinical psychology (focuses on therapeutic interventions,
i.e., controlling behavior) |
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12. |
Dendrites collect _________ and send
them to __________. |
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|
A) |
Neurotransmitters, the axon terminals. (dendrites do not connect directly to the
axon terminals) |
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B) |
Neural impulses, axon terminals. (dendrites process chemical
neurotransmitters; axons process neural impulses) |
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C) |
Neurotransmitters, the soma. (correct answer) |
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D) |
Neural impulses, the soma. (dendrites process chemical
neurotransmitters; axons process neural impulses) |
PATHWAY OF
THE NEURAL IMPULSE THROUGH PARTS OF THE NEURON WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL
|
13. |
A young man reads in a
letter that he has just won $1,000 in a state-wide lottery and he literally
jumps for joy. Which neurons are
sending messages from his brain to his legs ordering them to jump? |
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|
A) |
sensory neurons (these do not send motor commands) |
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B) |
motor neurons (correct answer) |
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C) |
interaction neurons (no such thing) |
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D) |
association neurons (no such thing) |
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14. |
Cells that are triggered
by light, vibrations, sounds, touch, or chemical substances are called
________. |
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A) |
ganglion cells (light
only) |
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B) |
bipolar cells (light
only) |
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C) |
Ossicles (vibrations only) |
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D) |
sensory receptors (correct definition) |
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15. |
McGee has just played a long, bruising
football game but feels little fatigue or discomfort. His lack of pain is
most likely caused by the release of: |
|
|
A) |
glutamate. |
|
B) |
Dopamine. |
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C) |
acetylcholine. |
|
D) |
endorphins. |
INDIVIDUAL
NEUROTRANSMITTERS WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL
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16. |
A drug that mimics the effects of a
particular neurotransmitter is called a(n): |
|
|
A) |
glutamate. (memory
neurotransmitter) |
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B) |
antagonist. (blocks
neurotransmitter action) |
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C) |
agonist. (correct
definition) |
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D) |
opiate. (class of
narcotic pain drugs) |
INDIVIDUAL
NEUROTRANSMITTERS WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL
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17. |
Which
of the following terms do NOT belong together? |
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|
A) |
structuralism; observable behavior
(structuralism is not observable;
subjects attempt to describe how they are accomplishing some cognitive task) |
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B) |
Gestalt; whole (true) |
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C) |
psychoanalysis; unconscious
conflict (true) |
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D) |
natural selection;
functionalism (true) |
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18. |
Mei was sent to the school
psychologist to be tested. Based on her IQ scores it was decided that she
would do well in the gifted child program. This is an example of which goal
of psychology? |
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A) |
describing behavior (this is not a description of Mei’s behavior) |
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B) |
explaining behavior (this does not explain Mei’s behavior) |
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C) |
predicting behavior ( correct
answer - score predicts good performance) |
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D) |
controlling behavior (this is not a way to control Mei’s behavior) |
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19. |
Which brain structure receives
information from all the sensory systems? |
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|
A) |
Hippocampus (involved in explicit LTM) |
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B) |
Amygdala (involved
in fear and aggression responses) |
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C) |
angular gyrus
(involved in language) |
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D) |
Thalamus (sensory switchboard; correct definition) |
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20. |
Your conscious awareness of your own
name and self-identity depends primarily on the normal functioning of your: |
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|
A) |
cerebellum. (unconscious
motor programs) |
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B) |
amygdala. (fear/aggression
emotional responses) |
|
C) |
hypothalamus. (controls
endocrine system) |
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D) |
sympathetic nervous system. (autonomic fight or flight responses) |
|
E) |
cerebral cortex. (seat
of consciousness and higher thinking; correct answer) |
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21. |
The reproductive advantage enjoyed by
organisms best suited to a specific ecological niche is known as: |
|
|
A) |
cloning. (laboratory
technique) |
|
B) |
behavior genetics. (perspective
that compares contribution of genetics and environment) |
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C) |
natural selection. (evolutionary
process; correct definition) |
|
D) |
temperament. (Inborn
personality characteristic) |
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22. |
At the close of the nineteenth century, Gerhard is
excited to find that he has been accepted for training in the structuralism
psychology laboratory of Wilhelm Wundt. It is likely that Gerhard will be
trained to ________________. |
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|
A) |
analyze how to break down his sensations into their
most basic elements (structuralism
definition; correct answer) |
|
B) |
determine the function or purpose of a particular
human behavior (functionalism) |
|
C) |
listen intently while individuals tell him of their
depression or nervousness (clinical
technique) |
|
D) |
carefully feel the bumps on a person’s head in order
to determine his or her character traits (phrenology) |
NON-CONTEMPORARY
PERSPECTIVES WILL NOT BE ON THE FINAL
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23. |
The class is playing a game of Jeopardy! and it is your turn. “I'll
take Pioneers in Psychology for $50.” The revealed answer is “Focused on
unconscious factors and relied on the case study method.” Just before the
buzzer sounds, what will you say? |
|
|
A) |
“Who are the
Gestaltists?” (whole
is greater than sum of parts) |
|
B) |
“Who are the
humanists?” (free will; people are
good) |
|
C) |
“Who are the
psychoanalysts?” (correct definition) |
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D) |
“Who are the behaviorists?” (focuses on observable behavior; dismisses unconscious motivations) |
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24. |
One of the reasons psychodynamic theories have
persisted over the years is that they are ________________. |
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|
A) |
supported by significant scientific research (nope, not testable) |
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B) |
based on facts (nope,
not testable) |
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C) |
difficult to scientifically test and, thus,
difficult to disprove (correct answer,
because determining unconscious motivations is subjective and unreliable, and
therefore not definitively testable) |
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D) |
used by the majority of psychologists (nope, just
one subset) |
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25. |
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A) |
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B) |
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C) |
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D) |
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26. |
What is one of the major reasons that psychologists
report results publicly? |
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A) |
to comply with legal requirements (nope) |
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B) |
to identify all the extraneous variables (nope) |
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C) |
to allow researchers to replicate experiments (correct answer) |
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D) |
to explain research results so that nonpsychologists can understand (nope) |
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27. |
Roger went to McDonald’s to observe people eating
in fast-food restaurants. He brought a camera crew and bright lights, and
they all wore yellow jump suits. Roger said he wanted to do a naturalistic
observation but may have had some problems because of ________________. |
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A) |
room crowding (nope) |
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B) |
observer effects (correct answer; definition) |
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C) |
participant observation (nope) |
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D) |
eating McDonald’s food (nope) |
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28. |
Which of the following is
true of neural impulses in a single neuron? |
|
|
A) |
The neuron may fire during
the absolute refractory period. (neuron
connot fire during refractory period) |
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B) |
The strength of a neural
impulse increases as the strength of the incoming message gets stronger. (strength of neural impulses is constant) |
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C) |
The strength of a neural
impulse decreases as the strength of the incoming message gets stronger. (strength of neural impulses is constant) |
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D) |
The strength of a neural
impulse is the same each time the neuron fires. (correct answer – all or nothing) |
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29. |
Which of the following
brain areas will be most active in a subject completing a humor comprehension
task? |
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A) |
Left frontal lobe. (most typically associated with speech
production and Broca’s aphasia) |
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B) |
Right parietal lobe (correct answer - understanding
humor is a right hemisphere specialization). |
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C) |
Left occipital lobe. (most typically associated with vision) |
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D) |
Left temporal lobe. (most typically associated with hearing
and Wernicke’s aphasia) |
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30. |
Which of the following is
NOT true of all neurotransmitters? |
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A) |
They are chemicals. (true) |
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B) |
They are stored in synaptic vesicles. (true) |
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C) |
They are released across
the synaptic space. (true) |
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D) |
They increase the
likelihood that the next neuron will fire. (some neurotransmitters are inhibitory) |
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31. |
An emergency room physician
must treat a patient who has recently eaten a can of tainted mushrooms. Suspecting botulism, the physician must
treat the woman in order to: |
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|
A) |
prevent the breakdown of serotonin in the patient's
nervous system. (botulin
is not an enzyme, nor is it associated with serotonin) |
|
B) |
prevent the botulism toxin from blocking the binding of
acetylcholine. (correct answer -
botulism is an antagonist for acetylcholine) |
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C) |
prevent the toxin from breaking down the acetylcholine in
the patient's nervous system. (botulism
is not an enzyme) |
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D) |
prevent the botulism from blocking the binding of
serotonin. (botulism is not an
antagonist for serotonin) |
INDIVIDUAL
NEUROTRANSMITTERS WILL
NOT BE ON THE FINAL
|
32. |
The process of digesting
your last snack or meal or the unconscious regulation of your breathing are
all primarily rooted in the __________ nervous system. |
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|
A) |
autonomic (correct
answer – these are autonomic processes your body carries out without
requiring your conscious awareness) |
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B) |
limbic (emotions
and drives) |
|
C) |
somatic (voluntary
muscles) |
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D) |
secondary (nope) |
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33. |
The deer waits motionlessly,
hidden in the thicket as the band of hunters approach. As they get closer, their dogs bark,
picking up the scent of their prey. In
a futile effort to escape, the deer bolts.
Which of the following most accurately describes the nervous system of
the hunted deer at this point? |
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|
A) |
Its sympathetic nerve
fibers are more active than its parasympathetic nerve fibers. (correct answer – the sympathetic
mobilizes the body’s resources for immediate action) |
|
B) |
Its parasympathetic nerve
fibers are more active than its sympathetic nerve fibers. (parasympathetic calms the body down
afterwards) |
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C) |
Both its sympathetic and
parasympathetic nerve fibers are equally active. (parasympathetic calms the body down afterwards) |
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D) |
Neither its
sympathetic nor its parasympathetic nerve fibers are active. (the sympathetic mobilizes the body’s
resources for immediate action) |
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34. |
The area in the back of the
temporal lobe that is important in our ability to listen and understand what
others are saying is __________. |
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A) |
Korsakoff's area (nope) |
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B) |
Wernicke's area (correct answer; definition) |
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C) |
Broca's area (frontal lobe area involved in speech
production) |
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D) |
Sach's area (nope) |
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35. |
The part of the brain that
receives sensations of touch, balance, body position, and oversees spatial
abilities is in the __________. |
|
|
A) |
occipital lobe (vision) |
|
B) |
temporal lobe (hearing) |
|
C) |
parietal lobe (spatial
and sensory) |
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D) |
frontal lobe (personality, judgment, motor, etc.) |
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36. |
Despite its dangers, a young
man continues to take cocaine because of the feeling of euphoria it produces
for him. This powerful arousal of his
nervous system is probably due to cocaine's ability to: |
|
|
A) |
inhibit enzymes that break down neurotransmitters. (nope – cocaine is a neurotransmitter
agonist) |
|
B) |
increase the release of neurotransmitters. (nope – agonists do not increase the
number of natural neurotransmitters, although they can increase their
effectiveness) |
|
C) |
block the receptor sites for neurotransmitters. (nope – cocaine is a neurotransmitter
agonist) |
|
D) |
intensify the effect of
neurotransmitters (yep – cocaine is a
neurotransmitter agonist) |
INDIVIDUAL
NEUROTRANSMITTERS WILL
NOT BE ON THE FINAL
|
37. |
If the limbic system were destroyed,
which of the following structures would be damaged? |
|
|
A) |
cerebellum and corpus callosum (nope –
these are not limbic) |
|
B) |
cerebellum and amygdala (nope –
cerebellum is not limbic) |
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C) |
amygdala and hippocampus (yep – both limbic) |
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D) |
hippocampus and corpus callosum (corpus callosum
is not limbic) |
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38. |
Dr. Delmar wants to
determine how loud a certain noise must be in order for it to be heard from a
distance of 50 feet. Her question involves
the concept of: |
|
|
A) |
relative magnitude. (nope) |
|
B) |
difference threshold.
(nope) |
|
C) |
absolute threshold. (correct
answer – the minimum amount of stimulus energy necessary to be detected) |
|
D) |
just noticeable difference (jnd). (nope) |
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39. |
If a researcher wanted to
know how loudly a person must speak in order to be heard above the noise of
two other simultaneous conversations, the researcher would likely measure the
________ . |
|
|
A) |
difference threshold (yep – the minimum amount of energy
needed to determine that two stimuli are different) |
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B) |
marginal intensity (nope) |
|
C) |
relative magnitude (nope) |
|
D) |
absolute threshold (nope) |
|
40. |
"Sensation is to
_______ as perception is to _______." |
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A) |
psychological; physical (backward) |
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B) |
gathering; understanding (correct – sensation is the gathering of
stimulus information and perception is the interpretation of it) |
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C) |
understanding; gathering (backward) |
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D) |
interpreting; detecting (backward) |
Answer Key
|
1. |
B |
|
2. |
B |
|
3. |
B |
|
4. |
B |
|
5. |
D |
|
6. |
E |
|
7. |
C |
|
8. |
A |
|
9. |
D |
|
10. |
C |
|
11. |
B |
|
12. |
C |
|
13. |
B |
|
14. |
D |
|
15. |
D |
|
16. |
C |
|
17. |
A |
|
18. |
C |
|
19. |
D |
|
20. |
E |
|
21. |
C |
|
22. |
A |
|
23. |
C |
|
24. |
C |
|
25. |
D |
|
26. |
C |
|
27. |
B |
|
28. |
D |
|
29. |
B |
|
30. |
D |
|
31. |
B |
|
32. |
A |
|
33. |
A |
|
34. |
B |
|
35. |
C |
|
36. |
D |
|
37. |
C |
|
38. |
C |
|
39. |
A |
|
40. |
B |