Deck 4: The Methods and Ethics of Research

Question 1

What distinguishes science from other human practices?

A) the types of information that are gathered
B) the topics of investigation
C) the way in which the knowledge is obtained
D) the types of people who acquire the information

Answer 1

the way in which the knowledge is obtained

Question 2

What method do scientists use to obtain information?

A) logic
B) intuition
C) assumption
D) observation

Answer 2

observation

Question 3

Why is observation a better way to obtain accurate knowledge about the world than intuition?

A) Observation is more objective than intuition.
B) Observation is faster than intuition.
C) Observation is easier than intuition.
D) Observation is more biased than intuition.

Answer 3

Observation is more objective than intuition.

Question 4

How does the scientific practice of drawing conclusions from samples of subjects impact the conclusions that scientists draw?

A) Samples of subjects will never be like other groups of nonstudied people.
B) Samples of subjects are too small to influence conclusions.
C) Samples of subjects cannot be observed.
D) Samples may include one or two individuals whose behavior is unusual enough to change the study results.

Question 5

What is one example of a change in scientific understanding based on new evidence?

A) belief that new cells are created in the adult mammalian brain
B) belief that cells in the adult brain can die
C) belief that the brains of mammals are different from the brains of amphibians
D) belief that scientific facts remain unchanged over time

Question 6

How do scientists portray the knowledge that is obtained through careful observation?

A) Scientists treat this information as certain truths.
B) Scientists treat this information as proof of ideas.
C) Scientists treat this information as final answers to a question.
D) Scientists treat this information as one step in a process of understanding a problem.

Question 7

Which of the following is true about theories?

A) Theories do not need to be revised when new data are available.
B) Theories generate hypotheses that guide further research.
C) Theories are based on one set of observations and may not account for other observations.
D) Theories are primarily based on the intuitions of an individual scientist.

Question 8

Which of the following is a requirement for a good theory?

A) It must be testable.
B) It must interpret 50% of the observations about a phenomenon.
C) It must refute other theories.
D) It must be made before any observations can be performed.

Question 9

What function do flawed theories have in science?

A) Flawed theories only create problems in science.
B) Flawed theories disrupt the process of observation.
C) Flawed theories encourage further observations.
D) Flawed theories prove that science is not better than logic.

Question 10

Which of the following is true of correlational studies?

A) Results determine whether one variable causes another.
B) The researcher has control over the independent variables.
C) If dependent variables cause independent variables to change, we can draw conclusions about cause and effect.
D) Scientists determine whether variables are related to one another.

Question 11

Which of the following is true of experimental studies?

A) They involve manipulation of independent variables.
B) They cannot be used to draw causal conclusions.
C) They can be conducted in any situation without ethical concerns.
D) They can only examine associations between variables.

Question 12

In an experiment, researchers eliminate ______ variables.

A) constant
B) extraneous
C) independent
D) dependent

Question 13

Using brain imaging techniques to determine which brain areas are activated when a person remembers an emotional event is an example of a(n) ______ study.

A) correlational
B) experimental
C) case
D) survey

Question 14

Surgically removing part of the frontal lobe in one group of rats and comparing their behavior to the behavior of rats in a group that did not receive surgery is an example of a(n) ______ study.

A) correlational
B) experimental
C) case
D) survey

Question 15

In an experiment, the researcher removes any ______ variables that might influence the behavior of subjects.

A) extraneous
B) independent
C) dependent
D) manipulated

Question 16

What is one limitation of correlational studies?

A) Confounds cannot be part of these studies.
B) This type of study is not very ethical.
C) This type of study is very artificial.
D) Cause and effect cannot be determined from these types of studies.

Question 17

Which staining technique was used to determine that neurons are distinct cells rather than an interconnected web?

A) Nissl stain
B) Golgi stain
C) fluorogold stain
D) myelin stain

Question 18

Ramón y Cajal was able to identify the structure of neurons by using the stain developed by ______.

A) Nissl
B) Pert
C) Golgi
D) Mouritsen

Question 19

Which of the following is true of cryptochromes?

A) They are best identified using myelin stains.
B) They are molecules found in the cochlea of the ear.
C) They are found in some cells of the retina.
D) They are labeled by the Nissl stain.

Question 20

Dr. Medina wants to locate the receptors for THC in the brain. What staining or imaging technique should she use?

A) a form of autoradiography
B) fluorogold technique
C) Golgi stain
D) a myelin stain

Question 21

Immunocytochemistry techniques exploit the ability of antibodies to carry a dye to specific ______.

A) myelin
B) glial cells
C) axon terminals
D) cellular components

Question 22

While Candace Pert originally used the autoradiography method to identify opiate receptors, she could have also used the ______ method.

A) Golgi
B) fluorogold
C) immunocytochemistry
D) myelin stain

Question 23

In order to best characterize neurons, Santiago Ramón y Cajal needed to stain entire neurons but not every neuron in the brain. This can best be accomplished with ______.

A) Golgi staining
B) autoradiography
C) immunocytochemistry
D) in situ hybridization

Question 24

Leo is trying to determine which subcortical brain areas contain receptors for the neurotransmitter substance P. What technique can he use to accomplish this goal?

A) Nissl stain
B) autoradiography
C) fluorogold labeling
D) immunocytochemistry

Question 25

Light microscopy allows for magnification up to approximately 1,500 times, while electron microscopy can magnify up to ______ times.

A) 1,000,000
B) 250,000
C) 500,000
D) 1,000

Question 26

Katherine wants to examine the cells that are active when a pigeon performs a memory task. If she can successfully label the cells, which microscope can she use to see labeled cells in intact pigeons?

A) two-photon microscope
B) light microscope
C) scanning electron microscope
D) transmission electron microscope

Question 27

The EEG has good temporal resolution but poor ______ resolution.

A) visual
B) auditory
C) spatial
D) temporal

Question 28

Which of the following is an advantage of the EEG procedure?

A) It has good spatial resolution.
B) It has to be used directly on the brain surface.
C) It is limited to use on the skull.
D) It is not invasive, so it is safe to use.

Question 29

Joshua is designing an EEG study to examine how brain activity changes in response to a picture of a familiar versus novel face. In order to ensure that he can detect the brain response from the noise, what should Joshua do?

A) He should only record activity from the left brain hemisphere.
B) He should present participants with several trials of both familiar and unique faces.
C) He should only record brain activity from the right brain hemisphere.
D) He should not use a computer to analyze his data.

Question 30

What is the stereotaxic atlas used for?

A) to hold electrodes that need to be directed into the brain of an animal
B) to stabilize an animal's head when conducting brain surgery
C) to determine where in the brain an electrode should be placed
D) to observe the placement of an electrode while conducting brain surgery

Question 31

Which of the following instruments is a map of the brain that shows the 3-dimensional location of brain structures?

A) electrode probe
B) microelectrode
C) stereotaxic instrument
D) stereotaxic atlas

Question 32

Tanesha wants to determine how damage to the suprachiasmatic nucleus of rats will impact their sleep/waking cycles. What device must she use if she plans to lesion this structure?

A) microelectrode
B) micropipette
C) stereotaxic instrument
D) genes from algae or bacteria

Question 33

A microelectrode can be used to ______ neurons.

A) apply chemicals to
B) electrically stimulate
C) magnetize
D) anesthetize

Question 34

Which brain stimulation technique involves the use of light-sensitive channels?

A) optogenetics
B) EEG
C) evoked potentials
D) microelectrode stimulation

Question 35

Kara wants to stimulate a subset of nerve cells in the thalamofugal pathway of pigeons and record resulting activity patterns in the hyperpallium. Which stimulation technique is best for Kara's goals?

A) electrode array stimulation
B) EEG
C) optogenetics
D) microelectrode stimulation

Question 36

Which of the following is an advantage of optogenetic techniques over electrical stimulation techniques?

A) Optogenetic techniques are less invasive than electrical stimulation techniques.
B) Optogenetic techniques can be used to stimulate a specific group of neurons, while electrical stimulation techniques are less specific.
C) Optogenetic techniques can be used for deep brain structures, while electrical stimulation techniques can only be used for surface structures.
D) Optogenetic techniques can be used in awake, behaving animals, while electrical stimulation techniques can only be used in animals that are anesthetized.

Question 37

Optogenetic channels can be created in the brain using ______.

A) microelectrodes to provide electrical stimulation
B) cannula to introduce neurochemicals
C) light
D) genes from bacteria

Question 38

Which of the following techniques can be used to study neurotransmitter release from vesicles?

A) optogenetics
B) electrical stimulation
C) microelectrode recordings
D) evoked potentials

Question 39

Which of the following techniques is being used to promote vision in people who are blind?

A) electrode stimulation
B) chemical stimulation
C) optogenetics
D) EEG

Question 40

A cannula can be used to ______ stimulate the brain.

A) electrically
B) chemically
C) visually
D) optogenetically

Question 41

Dr. Patel wants to determine which neurochemicals are released in the brains of rats following social defeat. Which technique should Dr. Patel use for her study?

A) microdialysis
B) electrophysiological recording
C) electrical stimulation
D) chemical stimulation

Question 42

Dr. Patel wants to determine which neurochemicals are released in the brains of rats following social defeat. What instrument should Dr. Patel use in the brain to answer this research question?

A) EEG
B) dual cannula
C) microelectrode array
D) stimulating electrode

Question 43

Which of the following techniques stimulates the greatest portion of the brain at one time?

A) microdialysis
B) chemical stimulation
C) electrical stimulation
D) optogenetics

Question 44

Why might a human have an electrode inserted into his/her brain?

A) to correct damage from a stroke
B) to artificially excite neurons that are not activated due to Parkinson's disease
C) to damage abnormal connections from epilepsy
D) to provide neurochemical treatments directly to neurons

Question 45

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the use of electrical stimulation techniques in humans?

A) These techniques may be used to identify damaged versus undamaged brain tissue.
B) These techniques involve the use of neurotransmitters as medications.
C) These techniques are only used if they are noninvasive.
D) These techniques are never used in humans.

Question 46

Which of the following is true of individuals who have suffered brain trauma?

A) They provide little information about how the brain functions.
B) They have been extremely valuable sources of information.
C) They provide the most accurate information about how the brain functions.
D) They usually have damage to highly specific brain areas.

Question 47

Removal of brain tissue via conventional surgery with a scalpel would be termed ______.

A) ablation
B) aspiration
C) lesion
D) chilling

Question 48

Removal of brain tissue by way of vacuum suction would be called ______.

A) ablation
B) aspiration
C) lesion
D) chilling

Question 49

Which of the following statements is the best justification for brain lesion studies?

A) Lesion studies are low-technology procedures that do not present ethical concerns.
B) Brain lesions produce marked and consistent changes in behavior.
C) Damage to the human brain during "natural experiments" does not provide enough information to make conclusions about the function of specific areas.
D) Ablation studies occur under more controlled conditions than do brain lesions.

Question 50

In order to determine if the amygdala is needed for rats to learn to avoid an electric shock, Kevin plans to inject a neurotoxin into the amygdala. Which technique is Kevin using?

A) ablation
B) aspiration
C) lesion
D) reversible lesion

Question 51

Dr. Ramachandran wants to determine if a specific portion of the basal ganglia is involved in swimming behavior in rats. Which technique should he use to produce the brain damage needed for his study?

A) ablation
B) aspiration
C) lesion
D) magnetic stimulation

Question 52

Which of the following is true of TMS?

A) It is a noninvasive technique.
B) It involves injecting a chemical into the brain.
C) It can only be used for research purposes.
D) It cannot be used in humans.

Question 53

Unlike brain imaging techniques, TMS increases or decreases ______ in the brain.

A) imaging
B) neurotransmitters
C) excitability
D) astrocytes

Question 54

Which of the following is true if transcranial direct current stimulation?

A) It involves magnetic stimulation of the brain.
B) It has been used to treat depression.
C) It can decrease brain excitability.
D) It increases neuronal excitability through electrodes placed on the scalp.

Question 55

Transcranial direct current stimulation could improve memory by increasing ______.

A) connections between brain areas
B) the number of neurotransmitters in a brain area
C) the blood flow to a brain area
D) the oxygen consumption of a brain area

Question 56

Which of the following is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique?

A) ablation
B) microdialysis
C) TMS
D) CT scanning

Question 57

Which of the following is true about MRI?

A) It requires the use of a strong magnetic field.
B) It cannot detect tumors unless multiple X-rays are used.
C) It requires injecting a dye into the patient to see brain structures.
D) It can only image large brain areas.

Question 58

Which of the following is a brain imaging technique?

A) transcranial direct current stimulation
B) microdialysis
C) transcranial magnetic stimulation
D) positron emission tomography

Question 59

What is one disadvantage of MRI as a brain imaging technique?

A) It can only image structures on the surface of the brain.
B) It is an invasive technique.
C) It can only detect hydrogen in the brain.
D) It is requires expensive equipment.

Question 60

Raulo wants to determine if people diagnosed with major depression have more brain pathways connecting cortical and subcortical areas than do people without a depression diagnosis. What imaging technique should Raulo use in his study?

A) positron emission tomography
B) computed tomography scanning
C) magnetic resonance imaging
D) diffusion tensor imaging

Question 61

Which of the following techniques can visualize ongoing biological activity of a living brain?

A) diffusion tensor imaging
B) positron emission tomography
C) computed tomography scanning
D) magnetic resonance imaging

Question 62

Which of the following brain imaging techniques requires a neutral comparison scan in order to show changes in brain activity?

A) MRI scan
B) CT scan
C) PET scan
D) microdialysis

Question 63

Which of the following brain imaging techniques has the best temporal resolution?

A) fMRI
B) PET
C) CT
D) MRI

Question 64

Which of the following brain imaging techniques is safest for participants?

A) PET
B) CT
C) electrical brain stimulation
D) fMRI

Question 65

Why have some researchers been cautious about interpreting the results of brain scans, particularly fMRI?

A) The radioactive substance used in this type of scan makes replication impossible.
B) Test-retest reliability is very high.
C) Test-retest reliability is not particularly high.
D) The temporal resolution of these techniques makes them useless for studying real-life behaviors.

Question 66

Which of the following is an advantage of fMRI as a brain imaging technique?

A) The machines are relatively inexpensive.
B) It requires the use of radiation.
C) It has good spatial resolution.
D) It can only take one, static, picture of the brain.

Question 67

When using fMRI to find increased activity in relation to a behavioral task, researchers should ______.

A) target only specific brain areas
B) scan the entire brain to avoid missing interesting areas of activation
C) let the participants rest for 5 minutes after injecting the radioactive isotope
D) avoid repeating conditions, as that would require repeated radioactive exposures

Question 68

Scientists concerned about poorly supported claims that specific brain areas are involved in complex behaviors such as empathy have compared brain imaging to the flawed theory of ______.

A) mass action
B) phrenology
C) correlation
D) specific nerve energies

Question 69

Which of the following is a major drawback of family studies?

A) It is difficult to get general population measures on the characteristic in question.
B) They are costly studies to conduct.
C) Families that share genes also share environments.
D) Most people don't want to participate in these studies.

Question 70

In Carol's study on the relationship between the anxiety levels of children and their first cousins, she obtained a correlation coefficient of ?.62. What can Carol conclude about anxiety in this study?

A) There is no relationship between cousins in anxiety levels.
B) High levels of anxiety in children were associated with low levels of anxiety in their cousins.
C) High levels of anxiety in children were associated with high levels of anxiety in their cousins.
D) There is a strong, positive association between first cousins in anxiety level.

Question 71

Which of the following is true of adoption studies?

A) They lack the control of a real experiment because researchers cannot manipulate the adoption variable.
B) They have shown that rearing children apart from their biological parents has no effect on their intelligence.
C) They are worse than family studies in determining the heritability of a trait.
D) They completely control for environmental influences.

Question 72

Adoption studies of intelligence suggest that ______.

A) both genetics and environment contribute to intelligence
B) genetic factors are the sole determinant of intelligence
C) family environment more strongly determines intelligence than genetics
D) children tend to be adopted into different environments than their biological parents have

Question 73

Animal researchers have used ______ to get around the problem that adoption studies cannot completely control for the influence of the prenatal or early postnatal environment.

A) embryo donation
B) cross-fostering
C) in vitro fertilization
D) in vivo fertilization

Question 74

In vitro fertilization studies have demonstrated that ______ in children with prenatal nicotine exposure is based on prenatal environment rather than genetics.

A) antisocial behavior
B) low birth rate
C) tantrums
D) lying

Question 75

Which of the following is true of fraternal twins?

A) They are similar to nontwin siblings in that they share about 50% of their genes.
B) They are produced by the division of one fertilized egg.
C) They are always the same sex.
D) They have concordance rates that are higher than monozygotic twins if there is a genetic component involved in a studied characteristic.

Question 76

Which of the following is a potential confound in twin studies?

A) Fraternal twins share fewer genes than identical twins.
B) Both identical and fraternal twins share prenatal environments.
C) Identical twins, because they look the same, may have a more similar postnatal environment than fraternal twins.
D) Genes only account for part of fraternal twins' similarities.

Question 77

Estimates of how often relatives are similar in a trait are ______.

A) heritability
B) twin studies
C) concordance rates
D) causal explanations

Question 78

Why do researchers commonly use mice in genetic engineering studies?

A) They are mammals, like humans.
B) Their genetic makeup is known better than that of some other animals.
C) They have few babies at one time.
D) They have many identical babies at one time.

Question 79

Which of the following is true of genetic engineering?

A) It involves direct manipulation of an organism's genes or their effects.
B) It is considered a correlational approach.
C) It is mostly used on monkeys, since they are similar to humans.
D) It can be done without manipulation.

Question 80

Which of the following is true of knockout mice?

A) They have a gene from another species spliced into their DNA.
B) They have a functioning mutation.
C) They have a gene that has been disabled or altered.
D) They have blocked messenger RNA.