Question 1

Most automatic functions (e.g., breathing, sleeping, and motor coordination) are controlled by the part of the brain called the _.

Accepted Answer

The brain stem is responsible for controlling automatic functions such as breathing, sleeping, and motor coordination.

Question 2

The part of the brain stem that regulates vital activities such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion is the .

Accepted Answer

The hindbrain is responsible for regulating vital activities such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion. The cerebellum is responsible for motor control and balance, the reticular activating system (RAS) is responsible for regulating wakefulness and arousal, and the thalamus is responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex.

Question 3

Recent research has associated the with autism. This is also the part of the brain that controls motor coordination.

Accepted Answer

The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for motor coordination. Recent research has also associated abnormalities in the cerebellum with autism.

Question 4

The synaptic cleft is the area between the

Accepted Answer

The synaptic cleft is the narrow gap between the terminal button (axon) of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron. This is where neurotransmitters are released from the terminal button and received by the dendrite of the other neuron, allowing for communication between neurons.

Question 5

Cross-fostering studies indicate that the environmental effects of early parenting

Accepted Answer

Cross-fostering studies show that the environmental effects of early parenting override any genetic contribution to be reactive to stress. This means that while genetic factors may play a role, the way a parent raises a child has a much greater impact on their ability to handle stress.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

There are different types of glial cells with several specific functions. Glial cells are not passive, but are active cells that support and modulate the activity of neurons. There are actually more glial cells than there are neurons in the brain. Lastly, glial cells help to speed up neural communication rather than slow it down.

Question 7

The area between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron is the .

Accepted Answer

The area between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron is called the synaptic cleft. It is where neurotransmitters are released and received, allowing for communication between neurons.

Question 8

Looking at the findings of many cross-fostering studies (Francis et al., 1999, Suomi, 1999, Tienari et al., 1994) it appears that positive interventions such as good parenting in early life may

Accepted Answer

Many cross-fostering studies have shown that positive interventions such as good parenting in early life can override the genetically influenced tendency to develop psychopathology in later life. This suggests that environmental factors can have a significant impact on preventing the development of psychopathology, even in those genetically predisposed to such conditions.

Question 9

Some of the most recent research studies regarding genetic vs. environmental causes of disorders in animals and humans have suggested

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have suggested that genetic influences may have been oversimplified by previous studies, as the activation of genetic predispositions may require environmental stress or triggers. This suggests a more complex interplay between genetics and the environment in the development of psychological disorders.

Question 10

GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine are all examples of .

Accepted Answer

GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine are all types of neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons or from neurons to other cells in the body.

Question 11

Research studies using the procedure called "cross fostering" have shown that genetically emotional and reactive young animals raised by calm mothers tended to be

Accepted Answer

Cross fostering studies have shown that the behavior of young animals is more strongly influenced by the behavior of their adoptive mothers (those who raised them) than their biological mothers (those who gave birth to them). Therefore, young animals with genetic predisposition towards being emotional and reactive raised by calm mothers tend to adopt the calm behavior of their adoptive mothers.

Question 12

John has inherited a personality trait that makes him more likely to keep to himself than to socialize. As a result, he does not have many friends and spends a lot of time alone. If John were to develop depression, the model that would probably best explain this situation and the cause of his depression is .

Accepted Answer

The answer of John has inherited a personality trait that...

Question 13

The idea that our inherited tendencies influence the probability that we will encounter stressful life events is a characteristic of the _.

Accepted Answer

The reciprocal gene-environment model suggests that an individual's genetic makeup may increase the likelihood of experiencing certain stressful life events, indicating a two-way interaction between genes and environment.

Question 14

The central nervous system is made up of the .

Accepted Answer

The central nervous system includes both the brain and the spinal cord, which work together to process and transmit information throughout the body. Nerves leading to and from the brain are part of the peripheral nervous system.

Question 15

In a landmark study by Caspi et. al. (2003), researchers studied the stressful life events and genetics of 847 individuals. For individuals who had at least four stressful life events, the risk of major depression

Accepted Answer

The study found that individuals who had at least four stressful life events and possessed two short alleles of the gene being studied had double the risk of major depression compared to those with other gene combinations. This suggests that genetic makeup may interact with stressful life events to increase the risk of depression.

Question 16

Neurotransmitters are important because they

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between neurons, allowing communication between different parts of the brain and the rest of the body. Without neurotransmitters, neurons would not be able to send signals to each other, which would result in a breakdown of communication and impair brain function.

Question 17

Some people may be genetically predisposed to seek out difficult relationships. These difficult relationships may contribute to their experience of depression. This is an example of the .

Accepted Answer

The reciprocal gene-environment model suggests that individuals with a certain genetic makeup may be more likely to seek out situations or environments that, in turn, increase their risk of developing certain conditions or behaviors, such as depression in the context of difficult relationships. This model emphasizes the interaction between genes and environment, where genetic predispositions can lead to the selection of environments that then influence outcomes.

Question 18

Recent research suggests that

Accepted Answer

Recent research supports the idea that both environmental manipulations early in life and the interaction between genes and environment are crucial in the development of psychological disorders, including both behavioral and emotional aspects. This comprehensive view acknowledges the complexity of psychological disorders, emphasizing that both genetic predispositions and environmental factors contribute to their development.

Question 19

The chemicals that allow transmission of signals between neurons are called .

Accepted Answer

Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that allow transmission of signals between neurons. Re-uptake inhibitors prevent the re-absorption of these chemicals, while hormones are produced by glands and travel through the bloodstream to target cells. Genes are segments of DNA that code for specific traits or function.

Question 20

The brain and the spinal cord comprise the

Accepted Answer

The brain and the spinal cord are the two main components of the central nervous system (CNS). The peripheral nervous system (PNS) refers to all other neural tissue outside of the CNS, including nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. The somatic and parasympathetic nervous systems are subdivisions of the PNS, and are not inclusive of the CNS.

Quiz 2: An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology