Question 1

An important difference between the classical AI approach and the connectionist approach is that the classical AI approach

Accepted Answer

The classical AI approach proceeds one step at a time, breaking down problems into smaller, more manageable sub-problems. In contrast, the connectionist approach emphasizes parallel processing through interconnected nodes, mimicking the way that the brain processes information. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the differences between the two approaches.

Question 2

One component of your general knowledge focuses on semantic memory. Which of the following would be an example of semantic memory?

Accepted Answer

Semantic memory is the type of memory that stores general knowledge, concepts, and meanings of words, facts, and information. Knowing that the word "bear" is similar to the word "lion" is an example of semantic memory because it involves the understanding and association of two related concepts or words. Choices A, B, and C are not examples of semantic memory. Creating a mental image involves visual and episodic memory, adding three-digit numbers together involves working memory, and using a strategy to memorize important material for a test involves procedural memory.

Question 3

According to the first chapter in your textbook, research in cognitive neuroscience

Accepted Answer

The first chapter of the textbook states that research in cognitive neuroscience often obtains brain images while people are working on a cognitive task. Option A is not entirely accurate as while cognitive processes can be associated with specific brain regions, most are not solely located in one area. Option C is not the most popular method as the chapter mentions that newer techniques such as fMRI and TMS have become more popular. Option D is incorrect as the chapter does not state that research in cognitive neuroscience has declined in popularity in recent years.

Question 4

A research team is studying which parts of the brain are active when a participant looks at a photograph of a person, and tries to judge how intelligent that person is. This kind of study is an example of

Accepted Answer

The study is attempting to understand the neural processes involved in social cognition, specifically how judgments about intelligence are formed when looking at a person's photo. This fits within the field of social cognitive neuroscience, which investigates the neural basis of social behavior and cognition. The other options deal with different approaches or methodologies in psychological research, but they do not specifically address the focus of this study.

Question 5

Imagine that some researchers are trying to design a computer-simulation model for an arithmetic task. They would be most likely to

Accepted Answer

Since the researchers are trying to design a computer-simulation model for an arithmetic task, the best approach would be to create a system that uses a problem-solving technique similar to the way humans would solve the problem. This approach would help to ensure that the simulation model is accurate and useful for understanding human performance on the task. The other options, such as using single-cell recording or designing a system to solve each problem quickly, may not be as relevant for creating a simulation model for arithmetic tasks. Examining the way people's strategies change as they become more familiar with the task may be useful, but it is not as directly relevant as designing a system that uses a problem-solving technique similar to humans.

Question 6

According to the discussion of cognitive neuroscience, the PET-scan technique

Accepted Answer

PET-scan technique measures blood flow in the brain by injecting a small amount of radioactive tracer into the bloodstream, which allows researchers to see which areas of the brain are active during cognitive processes.

Question 7

Some cognitive neuroscientists study brain lesions to learn more about brain functions. However, a major problem with this technique is that

Accepted Answer

Brain damage that results from lesions may extend into several areas of the brain, making it difficult to isolate the function of a specific area. This can lead to a lack of specificity and accuracy in the findings.

Question 8

A neuroscience technique that provides time-course information about the processing of stimuli, plus coarse-grained information about the location of neural tissue that is involved in this processing, is called

Accepted Answer

The answer of A neuroscience technique that provides time-course information...

Question 9

A researcher wants to study how people's attention shifts when they see a visual stimulus in an unexpected portion of a screen that they are viewing; this attention shift occurs in just a fraction of a second. Which of the following techniques is this researcher most likely to use?

Accepted Answer

The event-related potential technique (ERP) is the best choice for studying rapid shifts in attention because it can measure neural activity in response to specific stimuli with millisecond precision. ERP is a non-invasive technique that uses electroencephalography (EEG) to detect changes in electrical activity in the brain that occur in response to a given stimulus. PET and fMRI are imaging techniques used for studying brain function, but they have lower temporal resolution than ERP. The neural-network approach is a broad term that refers to a wide range of computational models used for studying brain function and behavior, but it is not a specific technique for measuring rapid shifts in attention.

Question 10

In contrast to a PET scan, the fMRI technique

Accepted Answer

fMRI provides a more precise spatial and temporal resolution than PET scans when measuring a series of events in the brain. PET scans require an injection of a radioactive chemical, and they are not as accurate as fMRI in determining what a person is thinking. Electroencephalography (EEG) involves placing electrodes on a person's scalp, not fMRI.

Question 11

When neuroscientists use PET scans (positron emission tomography),

Accepted Answer

PET scans measure changes in blood flow and metabolism in the brain, which can indicate which areas of the brain are activated during a specific task or under certain conditions. They do not record individual neural impulses, stimulate brain regions, or use electrodes on the scalp.

Question 12

Suppose that you meet a professor who is trying to determine what portions of the brain are involved in trying to recall a word that is on the tip of your tongue. This person is likely to use the approach of

Accepted Answer

Cognitive neuroscience is the field of study that explores the biological basis of cognitive processes, such as memory formation and retrieval. This field utilizes various methods such as brain imaging techniques (fMRI, EEG) and lesion studies to identify what specific areas of the brain are involved in certain cognitive processes. Therefore, if a professor is trying to determine what portions of the brain are involved in the recall of a word on the tip of the tongue, it is likely that they would use the approach of cognitive neuroscience.

Question 13

Research on people with brain lesions

Accepted Answer

Research on people with brain lesions studies people who cannot perform specific cognitive tasks after they have had a stroke, tumor, or accident. It focuses on understanding the relationship between the damaged area of the brain and the resulting cognitive deficits in order to develop interventions and treatments for these individuals. It is not limited to isolated nerve cells and has been a part of neuroscience for many years. It also recognizes that recovery from brain injury is possible and seeks to understand the factors that contribute to successful rehabilitation.

Question 14

According to Chapter 1's introduction to the chapters in your textbook, perceptual processes

Accepted Answer

The introduction to the chapters in the textbook states that perceptual processes involve interpreting stimuli that are registered by our senses, and that this interpretation is influenced by previous knowledge and experience. Pattern recognition and attention are also listed as components of perceptual processes. The behaviorist perspective is not mentioned as a primary explanation for perceptual processes.

Question 15

An important characteristic of the connectionist approach is that

Accepted Answer

The connectionist approach is flexible enough to explain many cognitive skills, as it models cognition as the product of the interaction of many simple processing units. This allows for a wide range of cognitive phenomena to be explained, from perception to language to decision making. Additionally, the neural activity that corresponds to a particular cognitive activity is typically distributed across many locations, rather than being limited to a single small location (A). The connectionist approach also allows for parallel, rather than serial, processing of information (B). Finally, the connectionist approach is not limited to higher mental processes such as decision making (D), but can explain a wide range of cognitive phenomena.

Question 16

Suppose that you want to see whether the human brain responds differently when a person reads a pleasant word, rather than an unpleasant word. Which of the following neuroscience techniques would provide the most useful information about processing these two kinds of words?

Accepted Answer

The ERP technique involves measuring the brain's electrical activity using electrodes placed on the scalp while the person is presented with stimuli (in this case, pleasant and unpleasant words). The technique can provide information on the timing and nature of the brain's response to these words. It is therefore the most useful of the listed techniques for examining differences in processing of the two kinds of words. B) The connectionist approach is a theoretical framework for understanding how the brain processes information but does not involve empirical testing. C) The brain-lesion technique involves studying the effects of brain damage on cognitive function and is not well-suited for examining differences in processing of specific types of words. D) A PET scan involves measuring changes in blood flow to different regions of the brain and is useful for examining overall activation patterns but does not provide information about the timing or nature of the brain's response to specific stimuli.

Question 17

How does the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging technique (fMRI) compare with other imaging techniques?

Accepted Answer

fMRI is more effective than PET scans in measuring brain activity that occurs rapidly, making it a useful tool for studying cognitive processes that occur quickly. While it may not provide as precise information about the timing of various brain activities as some other techniques, such as EEG or MEG, it still produces high-quality images that can be useful for research and clinical purposes. Additionally, fMRI is generally more widely available than PET scans, and does not involve exposure to radiation.

Question 18

Which of the following students provides the best understanding of the PET scan technique?

Accepted Answer

Jamie's statement provides the most accurate description of how a PET scan works. A radioactive substance, or tracer, is injected into the bloodstream, and the PET scanner creates an image based on the distribution of this tracer throughout the body, including the brain.

Question 19

Which of the following is the best example of a schema?

Accepted Answer

A schema is a mental framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information. Choice C is the best example of a schema because it involves understanding the typical components of a dentist's office and what is not typically included, based on past experiences and cultural knowledge. The other choices may involve memory (A), perception (B), or motor skills (D), but do not necessarily involve a mental framework for organizing information.

Question 20

Metacognition refers to

Accepted Answer

Metacognition is the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, including the ability to monitor and regulate those processes. Therefore, the correct answer is A - "your thoughts about your cognitive processes."

Quiz 1: An Introduction to Cognitive Psychology