Question 1

According to the gate-control theory,a back massage would most likely reduce your physical aches and pains by causing the

Accepted Answer

According to the gate-control theory, large nerve fibers (such as those activated by a massage) can block the signals of smaller nerve fibers carrying pain sensations to the brain, thus reducing the perception of pain. Choice A is partially correct in that massage may also trigger the release of endorphins, but this is not the primary mechanism explained by the gate-control theory. Choice C is not relevant to the theory, and choice D is incorrect as deactivating pain receptors would actually increase pain perception.

Question 2

A sensual leg caress evokes a different somatosensory cortex response when a heterosexual man believes it comes from an attractive woman rather than a man.This best illustrates the impact of ________ on our brain's sensory response.

Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the question illustrates the impact of cognition (or one's beliefs and expectations) on the brain's sensory response. The differently perceived source of the touch (attractive woman versus man) is processed in the higher-level cognitive area of the brain, which then modulates the response in the corresponding somatosensory cortex that receives and processes the touch information. Choice A (kinesthesia) refers to the sense of bodily movement and position, while choice B (nociceptors) refers to the sensory receptors that respond to pain. Choice C (psychokinesis), on the other hand, is a paranormal concept that suggests the ability to move objects with one's mind.

Question 3

The biopsychosocial approach to pain is likely to emphasize the importance of both

Accepted Answer

The biopsychosocial approach to pain recognizes the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in the experience and perception of pain. Top-down processing involves the influence of higher-level cognitive processes, such as expectations and beliefs, on pain perception, while bottom-up processing involves the transmission of sensory information from the body to the brain. Both types of processing are important in the biopsychosocial model of pain. Frequency and place theories, kinesthesia, psychokinesis, telepathy, and clairvoyance are not relevant to the biopsychosocial approach to pain.

Question 4

After losing his left hand in an accident,Jack continued to experience pain in his nonexistent hand.His experience illustrates

Accepted Answer

Jack's continued pain in his nonexistent hand is a classic example of phantom limb sensations, which occur when individuals still feel sensations in an amputated body part.

Question 5

In response to a harmful stimulus,________ initiate neural impulses leading to the sensation of pain.

Accepted Answer

Nociceptors are specialized receptor cells that respond to harmful or potentially tissue-damaging stimuli, such as heat, pressure, or chemicals, by initiating neural impulses that travel to the brain and result in the sensation of pain. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers and are released in response to pain to help alleviate it. Olfactory bulbs are responsible for the sense of smell, and the semicircular canals are involved in the sense of balance.

Question 6

An integrated understanding of pain control in terms of mental distraction,the release of endorphins,and the presence of empathic caregivers is most clearly provided by

Accepted Answer

The biopsychosocial approach considers the biological, psychological, and social aspects of pain control. Mental distraction, release of endorphins, and empathic caregivers are all factors that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of pain control, which is provided by the biopsychosocial approach. Parapsychology and the volley principle are unrelated to pain control. Dissociation theory may play a role in pain control but does not provide an integrated understanding of all contributing factors.

Question 7

A time lag between left and right auditory stimulation is important for accurately

Accepted Answer

A time lag, known as interaural time difference or ITD, between left and right auditory stimulation is important for accurately locating sounds. The brain uses the differences in arrival time of sounds to each ear to determine the location of that sound in space.

Question 8

Cocking your head would be most useful for detecting the ________ of a sound.

Accepted Answer

Cocking your head helps in detecting the location of a sound. This is because our ears are positioned on the sides of our head and when we hear a sound, each ear receives a slightly different version of it. By cocking our head, we can change the angle at which the sound waves enter our ears and better localize the source of the sound. Pitch, loudness, and amplitude depend on the frequency and intensity of the sound wave, and do not require cocking of the head for detection.

Question 9

The sense of touch includes the four basic sensations of

Accepted Answer

The four basic sensations of touch are pressure, pain, warmth, and cold. Therefore, Choice D is the best choice. Choice A is incorrect because pleasure is not a basic sensation of touch, while pressure is. Choice B is incorrect because it replaces warmth with hot and does not include one of the basic sensations, warmth. Choice C is incorrect because wetness is not a basic sensation of touch.

Question 10

Stroking adjacent pressure spots is most likely to trigger a sense of

Accepted Answer

Stroking adjacent pressure spots is commonly associated with the sensation of being tickled.

Question 11

Jessie is 6 years old and likes to play tickle monster with her father.However,her father is at work right now,so she decides to tickle herself instead.But when she tickles herself,she doesn't feel tickled.Why is this?

Accepted Answer

The lack of ticklish sensation when tickling oneself is due to the brain's ability to predict and anticipate self-generated sensations, which can diminish the ticklish response. This is an example of how cognition (i.e. expectation and anticipation) can influence the brain's response to sensory stimuli.

Question 12

The barn owl's right ear opens slightly upward,while its left ear opens slightly downward.This difference enables the owl to detect the ________ of a sound.

Accepted Answer

The difference in the position of the ears helps the barn owl to locate the source of the sound accurately.

Question 13

Isabella's back hurts sometimes after working long hours,mostly while standing.When she gets home,her husband offers to give her a back massage to help relieve her back pain.This always helps Isabella,which can best be explained by

Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory suggests that messages from different nerve fibers compete for access to nerve cells in the spinal cord, which act as a "gate" for pain signals to reach the brain. Massaging the back stimulates other nerve fibers, which can compete with the pain signals and help to close the "gate," reducing the perception of pain.

Question 14

The gate-control theory suggests that pain is experienced when small nerve fibers activate and open a neural gate in the

Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory states that pain is experienced when small nerve fibers activate and open a neural gate in the spinal cord. This gate can be closed by larger nerve fibers, which can prevent or reduce the experience of pain.

Question 15

Infant rats deprived of their mothers' grooming touch produce

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that infant rats deprived of their mothers' grooming touch produce less growth hormone and have a slower metabolic rate. This is thought to be due to the heightened stress levels and decreased bonding associated with the lack of maternal care.

Question 16

Premature human babies gain weight faster if they are stimulated by

Accepted Answer

Hand massage has been found to be an effective form of stimulation for premature infants, resulting in increased weight gain, improved motor performance, and decreased length of hospital stay. Blinking lights and rhythmic sounds may be overstimulating for premature infants, and phantom limb sensations do not apply to this situation.

Question 17

Men's sense of hearing tends to be ________ sensitive than women's,and women are ________ pain sensitive than men.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that, on average, men have less sensitivity to certain sounds than women do (such as high-pitched sounds). However, women are generally more sensitive to pain than men.

Question 18

Sensory receptors in our skin that detect hurtful temperatures,pressure,or chemicals are called

Accepted Answer

Nociceptors are the sensory receptors responsible for detecting hurtful stimuli in the skin such as extreme temperatures, pressure or chemicals. Vestibular sacs are responsible for detecting changes in head position and movement. Hair cells are responsible for detecting sounds and movement in the inner ear. Olfactory nerves are responsible for detecting smells in the nasal cavity.

Question 19

Which theory suggests that large-fiber activity in the spinal cord can prevent pain signals from reaching the brain?

Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory suggests that large-fiber activity in the spinal cord can prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. This theory explains why certain activities, such as rubbing or holding an injured area, can help alleviate pain.

Question 20

A cold metal belt buckle that touches side-by-side cold and pressure spots on your stomach is most likely to trigger a sense of

Accepted Answer

The sensation of wetness can be triggered when cold and pressure are applied simultaneously to the skin, as the brain interprets these combined stimuli as the feeling of being wet. This is because there are no specific wetness receptors in the skin, so the brain relies on the combination of cold and pressure signals to infer wetness.

Quiz 6: Sensation and Perception