Deck 1: Introduction to Biological Psychology

Question 1

_________ studies how the brain produces behavior

A) Biological psychology
B) Psychopharmacology
C) Neuroendocrinology
D) Evolutionary psychology

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The circumstances surrounding an event and the interactions between behavior, brain and environment are referred to as

A) the cognitive state.
B) the context.
C) internal life.
D) the human psyche.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The difference in how your brain would react between skydiving and being thrown out of a plane by a passenger gone berserk is determined by

A) your heart rate.
B) your emotions
C) the context.
D) the fear of death.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A student observing that as physical environments changed so did the reproductive success if individual animals could reasonably conclude that

A) random chance determines which individuals survive.
B) successful reproduction requires migration.
C) human intervention is required to save a species.
D) natural selection was at work.

Question 5

Animals that do not depend on a particular habitat or food source are _______________.

A) specialists.
B) noncommittal.
C) generalists.
D) learning about the human genome project

Question 6

Compared to rats raised in standard environments, how do rats raised in complex enriched environments differ?

A) They have smaller brains with a thinner cortex.
B) They show less physical activity.
C) They recover from brain trauma quicker.
D) They show fewer social interactions

Question 7

Rats that are better able to cope with challenging situations show higher levels of

A) dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
B) corticosterone.
C) estrogen.
D) progesterone.

Question 8

Because human environments have changed drastically in a short time due to urbanization, it can be argued that humans living in urban areas must have ___________.

A) less risk of chronic illness
B) safer living conditions
C) become a more "tame" species
D) unrestricted resources

Question 9

Given that the human brain has decreased in size 10% over the last 5,000 years, what seems to be the key point about this change?

A) The size reduction corresponds with a reduction in human intelligence.
B) The brain is changing as environmental demands change.
C) Media multitasking is responsible for the reduction in brain size.
D) The human body has also reduced 10% in size.

Question 10

When laboratory rats were released into the wild what behavioral trait distinguished them from their wild counterparts?

A) Decreased nocturnal activity..
B) Greater fear of novel food items.
C) Reduced fear of predators.
D) Greater curiosity to novel items.

Question 11

What do the findings of Bruce Alexander and colleagues suggest?

A) The consumption of psychoactive drugs is a form of self-stimulation.
B) Psychoactive drug use is a failure of personal morality.
C) Drug addiction is a failure of willpower.
D) Drugs are always preferred when there is free access.

Question 12

Exposure to an environmental toxin (e.g. carbon monoxide) may result in

A) auditory hallucinations.
B) lethargy.
C) paleness.
D) All of the above

Question 13

Internal conditions affecting environmental context include

A) exposure to environmental toxins.
B) social interactions.
C) the bacterial population of the gut.
D) physical exercise.

Question 14

Studies of experiential context suggest that

A) dietary probiotic supplementation improves mental health.
B) carbon monoxide exposure can cause psychological disturbances.
C) complex enriched environments reduce the appeal of psychoactive drugs.
D) the quality of maternal care early in a child's life can physically restructure the brain.

Question 15

Phrenology is notable for being the first formal attempt at

A) empirical quantification of psychological traits.
B) attributing psychological traits to natural selection.
C) localizing brain function.
D) estimating human intelligence.

Question 16

___________ tested Gall's claim that a specific "bump" on a female cat's head was associated with amorous relations (romance).

A) Paul Broca
B) Marie-Jean-Pierre Flourens
C) Johann Spurzheim
D) Bouillaud and Aubertin

Question 17

When homozygous dominant and homozygous recessive parents are crossed one would expect to observe

A) all F1 offspring will show a phenotypic blending of the two parental traits.
B) all F1 offspring will phenotypically show only the recessive trait.
C) some F2 generation offspring from crossing F1 generation individuals will show recessive traits.
D) None of the above.

Question 18

According to ___________, the cellular mechanisms of heredity were controlled by the chromosomes within the cell nucleus.

A) Charles Darwin
B) Walther Flemming
C) Gregor Mendel
D) Franz Gall

Question 19

According to Flemming, genetic inheritance at a cellular level was associated with the movement of ___________ during cell division.

A) DNA
B) RNA
C) mRNA
D) chromatin

Question 20

The sex chromosomes

A) are shaped differently than other chromosomes.
B) determine the sex of the offspring.
C) can cause intellectual disabilities when damaged.
D) all of the above.

Question 21

Which scientist produced the first X-ray images of the physical structure of DNA?

A) Rosalind Franklin
B) James Watson
C) Francis Crick
D) Maurice Wilkins

Question 22

The process by which DNA is read by RNA is called

A) transcription.
B) translation.
C) transposition.
D) frame shifting.

Question 23

The process by which amino acids are assembled into proteins by the ribosomes is called

A) transcription.
B) translation.
C) transposition.
D) proteomics.

Question 24

The Human Genome Project found that most human DNA (98%)

A) varies significantly between individuals.
B) can be used to clear people in criminal investigations.
C) codes for active genes and proteins.
D) has no known function.

Question 25

_____________ is a fatal disease caused by a mutated recessive gene for a brain enzyme, hexosaminidase A (Hex A).

A) Fragile X syndrome
B) Huntington's disease
C) Tay-Sach's disease
D) Down's syndrome

Question 26

Which potential strategies could be used to treat biopsychological disabilities with a genetic basis?

A) Genetic therapies may be introduced in adulthood to alter the genetic sequence.
B) Drugs may be administered at critical time points to correct protein or neurochemical imbalances.
C) Both options a and b may be used.
D) No strategies are likely to correct a genetically-based problem.

Question 27

The process by which life experiences and the environment can change gene expression is called

A) eugenics.
B) proteomics.
C) protein translation.
D) epigenetics.

Question 28

As our understanding of epigenetics grows, the developing field of _____________ may replace behavioral genetics.

A) behavioral genomics
B) human genomics
C) forensic biopsychology
D) forensic epigenentics

Question 29

Whereas phrenology claimed to precisely localize ________ in the brain, ______ suggested that its claims were unsupported.

A) equipotentialities; Johann Spurzheim
B) mental faculties; a lack of empirical evidence
C) mental faculties; Franz Gall
D) memory traces; Charles Darwin

Question 30

While blood was once held be responsible for the transmission of heredity, we now know that it is ________

A) RNA.
B) DNA.
C) mRNA.
D) amino acids.

Question 31

Which of the following are generally considered the key functional units of inheritance?

A) gemmules
B) ribosomes
C) genes
D) nucleotides

Question 32

One function of genes that is best understood is that of

A) influencing behavior.
B) building the brain and nervous system.
C) directing the building of proteins.
D) consciousness.

Question 33

When one member of a gene pair is less influential, such that its trait is not expressed over the trait of the other gene, it is said to be

A) recessive.
B) dominant.
C) polygenic.
D) heterozygous.

Question 34

If a certain trait can be linked to one of the sex chromosomes, this condition would be termed as

A) polygenic.
B) incomplete dominant.
C) recessive.
D) X-linked.

Question 35

Observable physical characteristics determined by genes are called the ________ of the organism.

A) genotypes
B) phenotypes
C) somatotypes
D) genomic imprints

Question 36

When a recessive phenotype is expressed, an individual can be inferred to be ________ for that trait.

A) homozygous.
B) phenotypic.
C) heterozygous.
D) polygenic.

Question 37

Based on how genes interact with an individual's environment and experiences, human behavior could be seen as a

A) genotype.
B) phenotype.
C) somatotype.
D) meme.

Question 38

Broca's investigation of Tan's language disability and brain damage would be categorized as a(an) ____________ study.

A) experimental
B) electroencephalography
C) case
D) phenotypic

Question 39

When one variable is manipulated and the consequences of that manipulation are measured this would be categorized as a(an) ____________ study.

A) experimental
B) electroencephalography
C) case
D) phenotypic

Question 40

Variables other than the independent variable that may affect the dependent variable are referred to as _________ variables.

A) confounding
B) interdependent
C) codependent
D) covarying

Question 41

Electroencephalography (EEG) directly measures

A) cognition.
B) fear and anxiety.
C) spontaneous brain electrical activity.
D) brain glucose consumption.

Question 42

The small voltages that are the brain's response linked to a specific task or stimulus are

A) EEG traces.
B) Event-related potentials (ERPs).
C) population potentials.
D) brain wave activity potentials.

Question 43

Single-unit recording uses _______________ which are positioned in proximity to individual neurons so that their activity can be recorded.

A) event-related potentials (ERPs).
B) scalp electrodes
C) microelectrodes
D) electroencephalographic (EEG) probes

Question 44

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has this advantage over Electroencephalography (EEG).

A) Broader spatial resolution.
B) Detecting neurochemical release.
C) Measuring blood flow due to its iron content.
D) More sensitive temporal resolution.

Question 45

_______________ scans use X-rays and computer technology to provide horizontal images of the brain.

A) Computed tomography (CT)
B) Positron emission tomography (PET)
C) Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
D) Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Question 46

Compared to computed tomography (CT) scans, positron emission tomography (PET) scans

A) provide a sharper image of brain structure.
B) measure levels of brain metabolic activity.
C) provide much faster results.
D) are only used in animal studies.

Question 47

_______________ would be the preferred imaging technique to study the role of white matter pathways in the brain.

A) Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)
B) Computed tomography (CT)
C) Positron emission tomography (PET)
D) Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Question 48

___________ provides higher resolution images of brain structure than ___________.

A) Computed tomography (CT); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
B) Positron emission tomography (PET); computed tomography (CT)
C) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Computed tomography (CT)
D) Positron emission tomography (PET); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Question 49

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be distinguished from positron emission tomography (PET) on which of the following characteristics?

A) fMRI measures blood flow and oxygenation instead of glucose metabolism.
B) fMRI does not rely on injections of radioactive substances.
C) fMRI can be done simultaneously with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
D) All of the above options are correct.

Question 50

The increased popularity of ___________ has contributed to the emergence of the field of cognitive neuroscience.

A) computed tomography (CT)
B) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
C) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
D) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Question 51

One clear advantage of both PET and fMRI scans is the fact that they ___________.

A) are noninvasive, requiring no brain surgery
B) provide high resolution images of brain structure.
C) do not require injections of radioactive substances.
D) All of the above options are correct.

Question 52

Researchers interested in genetic variables contributing to various behaviors prefer mice over rats as an animal model because

A) there exist more genetically modified strains of mice than any other mammal.
B) the mouse brain is viewed as a scaled-down model of the human brain.
C) mice generally have all the same areas and chemicals in their brains as humans.
D) All of the above options are correct.

Question 53

In experiments involving surgical brain lesions the ___________ can be considered the conceptual equivalent of a placebo applied in drug administration studies.

A) stereotaxic surgery
B) electrolytic lesion
C) sham lesion
D) stereotaxic atlas

Question 54

A ___________ is used to guide surgical lesions of specific brain areas based on their relationship to the location of ___________, a specific landmark used as a reference point

A) stereotaxic apparatus; bregma
B) stereotaxic atlas; coronal suture
C) stereotaxic apparatus; sagittal suture
D) stereotaxic atlas; bregma

Question 55

___________ is a technique used to address the complications that arise from lesioning specific brain areas.

A) Drug administration
B) Genetic engineering
C) Brain stimulation
D) Sham lesions.

Question 56

___________ is a complication of the use of electrolytic lesions to damage specific brain regions.

A) Regrowth of the damaged neurons
B) Damage to fibers connecting other brain regions
C) Unintended stimulation instead of damage
D) Regrowth of damaged fibers connecting other brain regions

Question 57

Brain stimulation techniques compensate for the complications of electrolytic lesions because

A) they activate a brain region instead of destroy it.
B) they only damage but do not destroy a brain region.
C) fibers in the brain region are not affected.
D) surgery is not required.

Question 58

The apparatus used to implant electrodes in specific areas of the brain is called the.

A) stereotaxic atlas.
B) stereotaxic apparatus.
C) brain atlas.
D) stereotaxic guide.

Question 59

The genetic engineering technique employing an inoperative gene is known as the ___________ model.

A) gene manipulation
B) gene shutdown
C) induced mutation
D) gene knockout

Question 60

Behavioral tests assess various ___________ in test animals.

A) cellular phenotypes.
B) genetic activations
C) behavioral genotypes
D) behavioral phenotypes

Question 61

Social preference tests in experimental animals are used to assess

A) social anxiety.
B) learning.
C) memory.
D) sexual motivation.

Question 62

The process by which animal studies may convincingly provide insight for human studies

A) requires a convergence data from lesion, stimulation, recording, imaging, and other studies.
B) depends on the inclusion of control groups such as placebo groups.
C) Is incomplete without a genetically engineered animal model.
D) is invalidated by the differences between animal models.

Question 63

_____________ is generally viewed as the degree which a chosen test actually measures what the researcher is interested in measuring.

A) Reliability
B) Relatability
C) Propriety
D) Validity

Question 64

The disciplines of biology, neuroscience, and psychology are the basis of

A) evolutionary psychology.
B) biopsychology.
C) cognitive psychology.
D) neuroendocrinology.

Question 65

_____________ would be the field in biopsychology that would use an animal subject.

A) Cognitive neuroscience
B) Psychophysiology
C) Psychopharmacology
D) Neuropsychology

Question 66

_____________ investigate the influence of psychoactive drugs on brain and behavior.

A) Neuropsychologists
B) Psychopharmacologists
C) Psychophysiologists
D) Neuroendocrinologists.

Question 67

_____________ study the role of brain activity in cognitive functions such as memory.

A) Neuropsychologists
B) Psychophysiologists
C) Neurolinguists
D) Cognitive Neuroscientists

Question 68

The effects of drugs on brain and behavior would be of primary concern to a

A) psychopharmacologist.
B) neuropsychologist.
C) psychophysiologist.
D) clinical psychologist.

Question 69

A _____________ is interested in the role of brain areas in psychological dysfunctions while a ____________ is interested in the role of brain areas in normal mental functions.

A) neuropsychologist; psychophysiologist
B) cognitive neuroscientist; psychophysiologist
C) neuropsychologist; cognitive neuroscientist
D) cognitive neuroscientist; neuropsychologist

Question 70

Darwin's theory of natural selection emphasizes that species that are better adapted to their environment ________.

A) live longer lives
B) produce more offspring than do those that are less well adapted
C) ultimately prey upon the less well adapted
D) require fewer offspring to dominate their environment

Question 71

Darwin referred to the black iguanas of the Galápagos Islands as

A) miniature dinosaurs.
B) sea lizards.
C) imps of darkness.
D) scaly jesters of the beach.

Question 72

What would Ernst Mayr would refer to as a proximal contextual cause of animal behavior?

A) The shape of a finch's beak.
B) Iguanas sunning on a beach to regulate body temperature.
C) An animal running away from an unexpected loud noise.
D) Iguanas huddling together at night to conserve body heat.

Question 73

Using Nikolaas Tinbergen's framework, Mayr's proximal cause questions are sometimes referred to as ________ questions.

A) "how"
B) "what"
C) "where"
D) "why"

Question 74

Raccoons breaking into garbage cans for human leftovers can be described as using a(n) ________ strategy.

A) parasitic
B) low risk
C) opportunistic
D) path of least resistance

Question 75

Relying on different animal species to answer specific research questions is an essential technique in

A) evolutionary psychology.
B) cognitive neuroscience.
C) comparative psychology.
D) neuropsychology.

Question 76

Based on Darwin's observations of the finches on the Galápagos Islands one could argue that giraffes exist today because, over time, their predecessors with longer necks were more likely to ________.

A) reproduce
B) adapt
C) learn
D) reach maturity

Question 77

Which animal species has evolved as a specialist with regard to their food preferences?

A) raccoons
B) humans
C) foxes.
D) woodpecker finches

Question 78

In rats, emotional resilience to challenging situations is superior in

A) those raised in a standard housing environment.
B) those raised in a naturally-enriched housing environment.
C) those raised in an artificially-enriched housing environment.
D) those injected with corticosterone.

Question 79

In humans, access to ________ contributes to resilience and the reduction of stress.

A) a window overlooking grass and trees
B) window overlooking barren concrete scenes
C) a window overlooking a busy street
D) a window overlooking a parking lot

Question 80

Compared to urban dwellers, those living in rural areas have

A) increased stress living conditions.
B) increased risk of chronic illnesses.
C) increased stress from restricted resources.
D) less access to health care.