A young man is taking an important test in a large room. He is progressing nicely when, about ten minutes into the exam, the proctor opens the window and he becomes distracted by the noise of the traffic outside. Which of the following psychological explanations is the least plausible explanation for what occurred when the window was opened?
A) The neurons involved went into their absolute refractory period.
B) The volume of the traffic sounds reached the threshold needed to fire many of his neurons.
C) The number of neurons firing increased considerably, bringing the noise of the traffic into his conscious awareness.
D) The neurons involved began to fire more quickly than they had before.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The absolute refractory period is a physiological process that occurs within a single neuron and is not affected by external stimuli like the opening of a window. Therefore, it is the least plausible explanation for the distraction caused by the noise of the traffic outside.

A Young Man Is Taking an Important Test in a Large