All of the following are example of sensory, or neural, adaptation EXCEPT:
Answer(s): C
Choices A, B, and D are all examples of sensory adaptation occurring the due to the brain's adaptation to a constant neural stimulus. Choice C, on the other hand, is due to the contraction of the iris, which in narrows the pupil and restricts the amount of light being received by our retinA. It is therefore not an example of our brain's adaptation to a constant neural stimulus, but a muscular contraction that changes the amount of stimulus.
As a result of substance abuse throughout adolescence, a young adult suffers from a number of psychological symptoms reflecting diminished executive functioning. Which of the following are likely true of this patient?I). Pathological changes to the prefrontal cortex.II). Increased susceptibility to auditory hallucinations.III). Reduced behavioral impulse control.
Executive functioning, or the ability to formulate and stick to long term plans, exercise judgment and impulse control with respect to those plans, is controlled primarily by the prefrontal cortex. In a patient with diminished executive functioning, both (I) and (III) would likely be seen. Thus, (C) is the right answer.II: The prefrontal cortex is not part of the auditory processing pathway. Thus, there is no reason why a patient with diminished executive functioning would likely have auditory hallucinations.
In response to period of extreme psychological trauma, a patient begins experiencing a feeling of detachment. He says, "I felt like it wasn't real while it was happening. I was just watching myself do it without any control. I mean, you know, I knew it was happening but I didn't feel like it was." The patient is describing:
A: Dissociative identity disorder involves 2 or more personalities with imperfect recall between them.B: Anxiety disorders are mood disorders characterized by excessive levels of arousal.D: Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.
Which of the following statements identifies a chemically based sensory system?I). Gustatory systemII). Auditory systemIII). Olfactory system
Answer(s): D
Statement I is correct. The gustatory system, or our sense of taste, is mediated by the chemical interaction between the compounds in the food we eat and our taste bud receptors.Statement II is incorrect. The auditory system is based on the mechanotransduction capabilities of inner ear cells, which take a mechanical stimulus (sound waves) and convert it into a neural stimulus.Statement III in correct. The olfactory system, or our sense of smell, is mediated by the chemical interaction between the compounds in the air and our olfactory receptors.Answer choice D is, therefore, the correct answer.
According to attachment theory, which of the following children is most likely to attach to a male psychologist, previously unknown to the child, in the course of a psychological study?
Answer(s): A
Attachment theory describes a series of steps that infants will progress through as they grow. During the first three months of life, an infant will indiscriminately attach to any person and will respond equally to any caregiver. Thus (A) is an apt description of attaching to a previously unknown adult. Around 4 to 6 months' babies will begin to recognize certain caregivers but will still accept care from anyone. Thus in (B) the baby will probably accept care from the psychologist, but the infant in (A) is much more likely to attach to the psychologist. From 6 to 9 months a baby will exhibit a strong attachment preference for a single caregiver, although the pattern of that attachment will vary based on the relationship that has developed between the caregiver and the child. Despite the neglect, the child in (C) will still have a preference for a single caregiver.After 9 months, children slowly develop increasing independence and will slowly form multiple attachments. The child in (D) will, thus, begin to develop attachments to both caregivers, but not to the psychologist, who is a stranger.
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