Biological Correlates of Psychology

Question 1

If you see these 3 answers on the MCAT and had to make a guess, which should you choose?

a) genetics
b) environment
c) genetics and environment

Answer 1

c) genetics and environment

Question 2

What is psychophysics?

Answer 2

study of physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they produce

Question 3

What is transduction?

Answer 3

conversion of chemical or physical signals into a cellular response

Question 4

What is perception?

Answer 4

interpretation and cognition of stimulus info that reaches the brain

Question 5

TRUE or FALSE: Sensation involves both physiological and mental processing.

Answer 5

FALSE –> sensation involves physical processing ONLY (perception involves physiological and mental)

Question 6

What occurs during sensory adaptation?

Answer 6

we become less sensitive to a stimulus through constant exposure

Question 7

What is the “absolute threshold” in terms of a stimulus?

Answer 7

the lowest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected, both physiologically and mentally

Question 8

TRUE or FALSE: The absolute threshold of a given stimulus varies for different individuals.

Answer 8

TRUE –> we are more/less likely to notice a stimulus based on expectations, previous experiences, familiarity, etc.

Question 9

What is the “difference threshold” in terms of a stimulus? What is another name for this threshold?

Answer 9

smallest difference between 2 stimulus intensities that is needed for us to recognize a change, 50% of the time

also known as: just noticeable difference (JND)

Question 10

What is Weber’s Law?

Answer 10

the change required to meet the difference threshold is a constant fraction (the Weber fraction), and the amount of change needed to reach this threshold depends on the original stimulus

delta I / I = k (note: I = intensity, k = constant)

Question 11

TRUE or FALSE: Weber’s Law differs with the different senses (hearing, seeing, tasting, etc.).

Answer 11

TRUE –> each sense organ has a different sensitivity

Question 12

What does signal detection theory measure?

Answer 12

ability to differentiate between signals (important stimuli) and noise (unimportant stimuli)

Question 13

If a signal was present, and an individual responds with “yes, it was present”, what is the term for this signal response?

Answer 13

Hit

Question 14

If a signal was present, and an individual responds with “no, it was not present”, what is the term for this signal response?

Answer 14

miss

Question 15

If a signal was not present, and an individual responds with “yes, it was present”, what is the term for this signal response?

Answer 15

false alarm

Question 16

If a signal was not present, and an individual responds with “no, it was not present”, what is the term for this signal response?

Answer 16

correct rejection

Question 17

While sensation involves detecting stimuli, _____________ involves selecting which detected stimuli will be further processed.

(Fill in the blank.)`

Answer 17

attention

Question 18

What is the difference between selective attention and divided attention?

Answer 18

selective attention: focus on solely one stimulus at a time

divided attention: split attention amongst multiple resources at one time

Question 19

What is the disadvantage of selective attention?

Answer 19

potentially important stimuli can be ignored

Question 20

What is the disadvantage of divided attention?

Answer 20

may be difficult to allocate enough attention to each stimulus

Question 21

Explain the dichotic listening task and how it was used to study theories of attention.

Answer 21

different messages played into different ears; subject asked to repeat back the message from one ear and ignore the message from the other, or repeat both messages

Question 22

Name the 3 theories of attention.

Answer 22

1. Broadbent’s Early Selection Theory
2. Deutch and Deutch’s Late Selection Theory
3. Treisman’s Attenuation Theory

Question 23

Explain Broadbent’s Early Selection Theory. Write out a flow chart to help explain.

Answer 23

all inputs from the environment first enter a sensory buffer, and then enter a selective filter where some info gets discarded

input –> sensory buffer –> filtering (x) –> perceptual meaning –> short term memory

(note: (x) marks where some info gets discarded)

Question 24

Explain Deutch and Deutch’s Late Selection Theory. Write out a flow chart to help explain.

Answer 24

selective filtering of incoming inputs occurs AFTER perceptual processing (i.e. all info is perceptually processed, and then we selectively filter info and pass onto conscious awareness)

input –> sensory buffer –> perceptual meaning –> filtering (x) –> short term memory

(note: (x) marks where some info gets discarded)

Question 25

Explain Treisman's Attenuation Theory. Write out a flow chart to help explain.

Answer 25

we have an attenuator which weakens incoming info signal (i.e. all info gets to perceptual processing, we assign different levels of priority --> ONLY HIGH PRIORITY info makes it to conscious processing) input --> sensory buffer --> attenuator (x) --> perceptual meaning --> short term memory (note: (x) marks where LOW PRIORITY information signals are WEAKENED)

Question 26

What is inattentional/perceptual blindness?

Answer 26

our ATTENTION IS DIRECTED ELSEWHERE in a visual field and we aren't aware of certain objects in other areas of our visual field

Question 27

What is change blindness?

Answer 27

failure to notice changes in immediate visual environment

Question 28

What is the difference between distal stimulus and proximal stimulus?

Answer 28

DISTAL stimulus: stimulus in the real world (objects/events that sensory receptors respond to) PROXIMAL stimulus: stimulus that occurs when sensory receptors are activated (activity that results within your brain)

Question 29

Weber's Law states: a) the strength of a sensation grows a the strength of a stimulus increases b) the stronger the stimulus, the more the stimulus needs to be increased before one notices an increase in the stimulus intensity c) an increase in the stimulus intensity is more accurately noticed when one is optimally aroused d) the weaker the stimulus, the more the stimulus needs to be increased before one notices an increase in the stimulus intensity

Answer 29

b) the stronger the stimulus, the more the stimulus needs to be increased before one notices an increase in the stimulus intensity explanation: Weber's law states that the change required to meet the difference threshold is a constant fraction of the original stimulus. E.g. the brighter the light, the higher the difference in brightness we need for this difference to be perceived.

Question 30

TRUE or FALSE: The smaller the Weber fraction, the smaller the difference threshold. (hint: consider the formula for Weber's fraction)

Answer 30

FALSE --> the BIGGER the Weber fraction, the smaller the difference threshold

Question 31

What is the difference between bottom-up processing and top-down processing?

Answer 31

bottom-up: assembling individual pieces of info from environment and building perceptions based on this NEW info top-down: using an EXISTING framework of knowledge to form a perception

Question 32

What do the Gestalt principles describe? How do they relate to top-down processing?

Answer 32

describe how we distinguish OBJECT FROM BACKGROUND; top-down processing is used to group sensory info into distinct regions called FORMS

Question 33

What are the 5 Gestalt principles used to group stimulus information?

Answer 33

1. closure 2. proximity 3. continuation 4. similarity 5. figure and ground

Question 34

What is the difference between a monocular depth cue, a binocular depth cue, and an oculomotor cue?

Answer 34

monocular cues: cues that work with one eye binocular cues: cues that involve both eyes oculomotor cues: cues that involve the brain sensing motor movement from muscles in our eyes

Question 35

When objects are FAR AWAY (from us), which type of depth cue does the brain use? a) monocular b) oculomotor

Answer 35

a) monocular

Question 36

When objects are CLOSER (to us), which type of depth cue does the brain use? a) monocular b) oculomotor

Answer 36

b) oculomotor

Question 37

What is size constancy?

Answer 37

brain recognizes that a certain object is constant in size despite the fact that it appears bigger when moved closer

Question 38

What is shape constancy?

Answer 38

brain recognizes that a certain object is constant in shape even when it moves and generates new light patterns on the retina

Question 39

Depth is governed by: a) bottom-up processing b) top-down processing

Answer 39

b) top-down processing

Question 40

Motion is governed by: a) bottom-up processing b) top-down processing

Answer 40

b) top-down processing

Question 41

Constancy is governed by: a) bottom-up processing b) top-down processing

Answer 41

b) top-down processing

Question 42

What are the 3 features that are analyzed in feature detection?

Answer 42

1. colour 2. form (outline) 3. motion

Question 43

what is the difference between sequential processing and parallel processing?

Answer 43

sequential processing: brain processes different features at DIFFERENT times parallel processing: brain processes different features at the SAME time

Question 44

What is the basic tenet of Gestalt psychology? a) perception is constructed b) the brain perceives complex patterns as one, whole unit c) all behaviour has a mental basis

Answer 44

a) perception is constructed | hint: information is grouped into individual parts, which are used to build the entire perception/image

Question 45

Which description corresponds with theta waves (EEG)? a) deep sleep b) light sleep c) deep relaxation d) normal waking

Answer 45

b) light sleep

Question 46

Which description corresponds with alpha waves (EEG)? a) deep sleep b) light sleep c) deep relaxation d) normal waking

Answer 46

c) deep relaxation

Question 47

Which description corresponds with beta waves (EEG)? a) deep sleep b) light sleep c) deep relaxation d) normal waking

Answer 47

d) normal waking

Question 48

Which description corresponds with delta waves (EEG)? a) deep sleep b) light sleep c) deep relaxation d) normal waking

Answer 48

a) deep sleep

Question 49

What do beta, alpha, theta, and delta waves look like on an EEG recording?

Answer 49

(see page 162 in PsycSoc cc)

Question 50

Which frequency corresponds with theta waves (EEG)? a) high frequency b) low frequency c) lowish frequency d) medium frequency

Answer 50

c) lowish frequency

Question 51

Which frequency corresponds with alpha waves (EEG)? a) high frequency b) low frequency c) lowish frequency d) medium frequency

Answer 51

medium

Question 52

Which frequency corresponds with beta waves (EEG)? a) high frequency b) low frequency c) lowish frequency d) medium frequency

Answer 52

a) high frequency

Question 53

Which frequency corresponds with delta waves (EEG)? a) high frequency b) low frequency c) lowish frequency d) medium frequency

Answer 53

b) low frequency

Question 54

What is the frequency range for beta waves?

Answer 54

13-30 Hz

Question 55

What is the frequency range for alpha waves?

Answer 55

8-12 Hz

Question 56

What is the frequency range for theta waves?

Answer 56

4-7 Hz

Question 57

What is the frequency range for delta waves?

Answer 57

<4 Hz

Question 58

How many stages of non-REM (NREM) sleep are there?

Answer 58

4 (stages 1, 2, 3-4)

Question 59

What event occurs during stage 1 sleep? What EEG waves are present? Identify any significant EEG wave patterns during this stage of sleep (if applicable).

Answer 59

stage between wakefulness and sleep; alpha waves

Question 60

What event occurs during stage 2 sleep? What EEG waves are present? Identify any significant EEG wave patterns during this stage of sleep (if applicable).

Answer 60

muscle activity decreases + lose consciousness; sleep spindles and K-complexes

Question 61

What event occurs during stages 3-4 sleep? What EEG waves are present? Identify any significant EEG wave patterns during this stage of sleep (if applicable).

Answer 61

deep sleep; delta waves

Question 62

During which stage of sleep do night terrors and sleep walking occur?

Answer 62

stages 3-4

Question 63

Early in our sleep, we spend more time in stage(s) ______(1, 2, 3, 4)______. During the latter parts of our sleep, we spend more time in stage(s) ______(1, 2, 3, 4)______ and in ____(REM or NREM)____ sleep.

Answer 63

early: 3-4 latter: 1 and 2, REM

Question 64

TRUE or FALSE: REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movements and low brain activity.

Answer 64

FALSE --> HIGH brain activity

Question 65

Why does sleep compensation occur? (i.e. how does it work?)

Answer 65

if you miss a certain type of sleep (NREM or REM) then your body will try to get a disproportionate amount of that kind of sleep in future nights.

Question 66

what is another name for the biological clock of the body

Answer 66

circadian rhythm

Question 67

put these in order of the circadian rhythm process 1. SCN inhibits the pineal gland from producing melatonin 2. When light enters the eye, the suprachiasmatic nucleus is activated 3. lack of melatonin signals wakefulness

Answer 67

2, 1, 3

Question 68

what is the most common sleep disorder

Answer 68

insomnia

Question 69

true or false - hypnosis is when the body can't regulate sleep cycles and can easily transition in and out of REM sleep

Answer 69

false, it is narcolepsy

Question 70

what is the difference between hypnosis and meditation in what they treat

Answer 70

hypnosis helps with anxiety and pain | meditation help with stress

Question 71

if someone has an addiction, what is used to help treat it

Answer 71

cognitive behavioral therapy

Question 72

what are the three types of consciousness altering drugs

Answer 72

stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens

Question 73

what is the first step in forming a memory

Answer 73

sensory memory which is temporary storage

Question 74

true or false - sensory memory is an conscious process

Answer 74

false - it is an unconscious process

Question 75

if we pay attention to the information that we processed in the first step, the information is transferred into _____ A) working memory b) sensory memory c) short term memory

Answer 75

c

Question 76

working memory can only hold ___ bits of information

Answer 76

7 give or take 2

Question 77

what are the two ways to keep items in working memory

Answer 77

chunking and rehearsal

Question 78

what is the molecular process used to strengthen synapses and what part of the brain is the most responsible for it

Answer 78

long term potentiation | hippocampus

Question 79

______ states that words at the beginning of a lost are more likely to be remembered than words in the middle or end a) recency effect b) primacy effect c) retroactive interference

Answer 79

b

Question 80

what is the recency effect

Answer 80

words at the end of a list are more likely to be remembered than words in the middle

Question 81

____ interference involves an older memory interfering with the retrieval of a new one proactive or retroactive

Answer 81

proactive

Question 82

pick the odd one out and if needed replace with the correct one processes that decline with age free recall, implicit memory, episodic memory, divided attention

Answer 82

implicit memory -> processing speed of information

Question 83

pick the odd one out and if needed replace with the correct one processes that are stable throughout life implicit memory, recognition of information, semantic memory

Answer 83

x semantic memory

Question 84

pick the odd one out and if needed replace with the correct one processes that improve with age semantic memory, emotional intelligence, free recall

Answer 84

free recall -> crystallized intelligence

Question 85

what is the first part of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer's

Answer 85

hippocampus

Question 86

what are the three kinds of damage that Alzheimer's can do to the brain

Answer 86

neuronal loss, amyloid plaque (deposits of proteins around cells) and neurofibrillary tangles (neuronal structural problems)

Question 87

true or false - Korsakoff's syndrome is associated with age

Answer 87

false it is associated with alcoholism

Question 88

the lack of ____ is linked with Korsakoff's syndrome dopamine monoamine thiamine Vitamin B12

Answer 88

thiamine

Question 89

the lack of _____ is linked with Parkinson's disease thiamine dopamine serotonin

Answer 89

dopamine

Question 90

Parkinson's damages the ____ most hippocampus thalamus substantia nigra amygdala

Answer 90

substantia nigra