Question 1

Thomas is known to be very social and dominant at parties. He most likely has high levels of which hormone?

Accepted Answer

Testosterone is often associated with social dominance and assertive behaviors, which could explain Thomas's demeanor at parties.

Question 2

What is the best description of the role that testosterone plays in personality?

Accepted Answer

Testosterone acts as an energizing factor that can accentuate existing behavioral tendencies rather than directly causing specific behaviors or personality traits. This means it can amplify how certain behaviors are expressed based on an individual's pre-existing tendencies, rather than directly changing or determining personality.

Question 3

According to research by modern health psychologists, the choleric, or chronically hostile, person seems to be at extra risk for

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals with a chronically hostile or choleric temperament are at a higher risk for cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks. This is due to the stress and strain that chronic hostility places on the heart and circulatory system.

Question 4

________ levels of testosterone have been observed in dominant males competing with other males for the attention of women, and ________ levels of testosterone have been observed for men entering fatherhood.

Accepted Answer

High levels of testosterone have been observed in dominant males competing for mates, which is associated with aggression and competition. Conversely, lower levels of testosterone are noted in men entering fatherhood, which is thought to facilitate nurturing behavior and bonding with the child.

Question 5

In one study, male U.S. military veterans were asked about their past behaviors, and those with higher testosterone levels more often reported having assaulted others. This is evidence for testosterone's association with

Accepted Answer

Testosterone has been linked to aggressive behaviors in numerous studies. The study mentioned, where veterans with higher testosterone levels reported more instances of assaulting others, supports the association between testosterone and aggressive tendencies, rather than with having many sexual partners, depression, or delusions.

Question 6

What term describes the junction between two neurons?

Accepted Answer

The junction between two neurons is called a synapse. It is the site where one neuron communicates with another neuron through the transmission of chemical or electrical signals.

Question 7

Shortly after joining the cross-country team, Patrick's friends have noticed that he is irrationally aggressive and erratic. What is a reasonable conclusion Patrick's friends can draw about his behavior?

Accepted Answer

Anabolic steroids are known to cause mood swings and aggressive behavior, often referred to as "roid rage." This aligns with the observed changes in Patrick's behavior, making it a reasonable conclusion.

Question 8

What brain structure in conjunction with dopamine works to form the Go system in Gray's model?

Accepted Answer

The nucleus accumbens, in conjunction with dopamine, forms the Go system in Gray's model, which is associated with the reward system and motivation.

Question 9

According to the text, which neurotransmitter is the foundation of stability?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is often referred to as a key neurotransmitter for mood and general sense of well-being, playing a significant role in stabilizing mood and contributing to feelings of happiness and emotional well-being.

Question 10

According to the text, the chemicals that make up neurotransmitters are also important in determining the neurotransmitters' specific behavioral expression. An example of this is

Accepted Answer

Monoamine oxidase's role in breaking down neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin directly impacts the levels of these chemicals in the brain, influencing their behavioral expression.

Question 11

Which hormone is associated with the fight-or-flight response?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is the hormone primarily associated with the fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body to face or escape threats.

Question 12

The neurotransmitter dopamine is associated with systems that

Accepted Answer

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the brain's reward system, influencing how we perceive pleasure and reward, motivating behavior towards achieving such rewards.

Question 13

Wayne tends to suffer from chronic pessimism, is hypersensitive to rejection, worries obsessively, and is prone to sudden bursts of irrational anger. He is exhibiting the symptoms of

Accepted Answer

Serotonin depletion is associated with mood disorders, including increased irritability, depression, and anxiety, which align with Wayne's symptoms of chronic pessimism, hypersensitivity to rejection, obsessive worrying, and irrational anger.

Question 14

The term ________ refers to the body's natural painkillers, which are chemicals that act in an ________ fashion.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins are natural painkillers produced by the body that act in an inhibitory manner, reducing pain and promoting feelings of pleasure or euphoria.

Question 15

According to Jeffrey Gray's theory, dopamine is associated with the ________ system, which he argues produces and reinforces the motivation to seek ________.

Accepted Answer

Jeffrey Gray's theory associates dopamine with the behavioral activation system, which is thought to produce and reinforce the motivation to seek rewards.

Question 16

Brad has had substantially more sex partners and has demonstrated more excessive behavior than Todd. We can safely assume that Brad has ________ relative to Todd.

Accepted Answer

High testosterone levels are often associated with increased sexual activity and risk-taking behaviors, which aligns with the description of Brad's behavior compared to Todd.

Question 17

What is the technical name for drugs like Prozac?

Accepted Answer

Prozac is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and happiness.

Question 18

According the text, which neurotransmitter is the foundation of plasticity?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is foundational to plasticity, playing a crucial role in the brain's ability to change and adapt.

Question 19

The chemicals that are released from the hypothalamus, the gonads, and the adrenal cortex are called ________, whereas the chemicals released by bioelectrical impulses throughout the brain are called ________.

Accepted Answer

The chemicals released from the hypothalamus, the gonads, and the adrenal cortex are hormones, which circulate through the bloodstream to affect distant organs. The chemicals released by bioelectrical impulses throughout the brain are neurotransmitters, which transmit signals across a chemical synapse from one neuron to another target neuron.

Question 20

One problem researchers experience when attempting to directly link testosterone to aggression and sexuality is that

Accepted Answer

Testosterone levels can be influenced by aggression and sexual activity, making it challenging to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between testosterone and these behaviors.

Quiz 8: The Anatomy and Physiology of Personality