Answers to Jeopardy Test 2

Answers to Jeopardy Test 2

Biological Rhythms

100 – What is a circadian rhythm?

A biological rhythm that occurs approximately every 24 hours. The sleep-wake cycle is the best known.

200 –What is internal desynchronization?

A state in which biological rhythms are not in phase (synchronized) with another.

300 –What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

The DSM medical and psychiatric classification for PMS. Argument about whether it has more to do with politics than real problems – know that there is evidence for and against.

400 –What is the menstrual system an example of?

It is an example of an infradian rhythm, one which occurs less often than once a day. Infradian rhythms can also be seasonal, monthly, bimonthly, etc.

500 –What is an ultradian rhythm?

An ultradian rhythm occurs more than once a day. Frequently on a 90 minute

schedule. Exs: stomach contractions, hormone levels, alertness, etc.

Sleep Rhythms

100 –What is REM?

Rapid Eye Movement; Sleep periods characterized by eye movement, loss of muscle tone, and dreaming. Recurs every 90 minutes or so.

200 –Describe the four stages of sleep.

Stage 1: brain waves are small and irregular; feel yourself drifting on the edge of consciousness; If awakened, you may recall fantasies or a few visual images.

Stage 2: sleep spindles – short bursts of rapid, high peaking waves; minor noises probably will not disturb you.

Stage 3: Sleep Spindles plus delta waves (very slow waves with very high peaks); breathing and pulse slow down, muscles are relaxed; you are hard to arouse.

Stage 4: Delta waves have largely taken over. Deep sleep; This is when you are likely to walk or talk in your sleep. It will probably take vigorous shaking or a loud noise to awaken you. (p 151)

300 –What is activation-synthesis theory?

The theory that dreaming results from the cortical synthesis and interpretation of neural signals triggered by brain activity in the lower part of the brain.

400 –Name four types of dream theories.

Psychoanalytic, Problem-focused, Mental housekeeping, Activation Synthesis.

500 –What is a lucid dream?

A dream in which the dreamer is aware of dreaming.

Drugs and Hypnosis

100 –What is a psychoactive drug?

A drug capable of influencing perception, mood, cognition or behavior.

200 –Name four drug classifications and give an example of each.

Stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine, tobacco/nicotine, caffeine)

Depressants (alcohol, tranquilizers, barbiturates)

Opiates (opium, heroin, morphine)

Psychedelic (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, marijuana (mild- controversial class.))

300 –What are the two competing theories of hypnosis?

Dissociation Theory – A split in consciousness in which one part of the mind operates independently of others.

Sociocognitive Approach – the effects of hypnosis result from an interaction between the social influences of the hypnotist (socio) and the abilities, beliefs, and expectations of the subject (cognitive)

400 –What is the difference between tolerance and withdrawal symptoms?

Tolerance: Increased resistance to a drug’s effects accompanying continued use; as tolerance develops, larger doses are required to produce effects once brought about by smaller ones.

Withdrawal: Physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone addicted to a drug stops taking it.

500 –What is the nature of hypnosis (7 items)?

1. The hypnotic state is not sleep

2. Hypnotic responsiveness depends more on the efforts and qualities of the person being hypnotized than on the skill of the hypnotist.

3. Hypnotized people cannot be forced to do things against their will.

4. Hypnotic inductions increase suggestability but only to a modest degree. People will not accept suggestions with and without hypnosis.

5. Hypnosis does not increase the accuracy of memory.

6. Hypnosis does not produce a literal reexperiencing of long-ago events.

7. Hypnotic suggestions have been used effectively for many medical and psychological purposes.

Senses

100 –What are the three parts of a sound wave?

Loudness, Pitch and Timbre

200 –What is the difference between an absolute threshold and difference thresholds?

Absolute Threshold: The smallest quantity of physical energy that can be reliably detected by an observer.

Difference Threshold: The smallest difference in stimulation that can be reliably observe by an observer when two stimuli are compared; also called the just noticeable difference.

300 –What is the difference between the gate-control and neuromatrix theories of pain?

Gate Control: The theory that the experience of pain depends in part on whether pain impulses get past a neurological “gate” in the spinal cord, and thus reach the brain.

Neuromatrix: The theory that a matrix of neurons in the brain is capable generating pain (and other sensations) in the absence of signals from sensory nerves.

400 –What are the characteristics of light waves?

Hue, Brightness and Saturation

500 –What is the difference between trichromatic theory and opponent-process theory?

Trichromatic: A theory of color perception that proposes three mechanisms in the visual system, each sensitive to a certain range of wavelengths; their interaction is assumed to produce all the different experiences of hue.

Opponent-Process: A theory of color perception, which assumes that the visual system treats pairs of colors as opposing or antagonistic.

Perception and Learning

100 –Name a few of the influences of what we perceive and how we perceive it?

Needs, Beliefs, Emotions and Expectations

200 –The “cocktail party phenomenon” is an example of what kind of perception?

Selective attention (p 187)

300 –What is classical conditioning?

The process by which a previously neutral stimulus acquires the capacity to elicit a response through association with a stimulus that already elicits a similar or related response.

400 –What are the principles of operant conditioning?

Extinction, Stimulus Generalization and Discrimination, Learning on Schedule (p 241)

500 –What are observational and latent learning?

Observational: A process in which an individual learns new responses by observing the behavior of another (a model) rather than through direct experience; sometimes called vicarious conditioning.

Latent: A form of learning that is not immediately expressed in an overt response; it occurs without obvious reinforcement.

Individual and Social Influences

100 –What are two classic studies on obedience?

Milgram’s study on obedience and Zimbardo’s prison study.

200 –What is the self-serving bias?

The tendency, in explaining one’s own behavior, to take credit for one’s good actions, and rationalizing one’s mistakes.

300 –What is diffusion of responsibility?

In organized or anonymous groups, the tendency of members to avoid taking responsibility for actions or decisions because they assume that others will do so.

400 –What did the Asch studies show?

Famous study of conformity

500 –What are the differences between ethnocentrism, stereotyping and prejudice?

Ethnocentrism: The belief that one’s own ethnic group, nation or religion is superior to all others.

Stereotyping: A summary impression of a group, in which a person believes that all members of the group share a common trait or traits (positive, negative, or neutral).

Prejudice: Consists of a negative stereotype and a strong, unreasonable dislike or hatred of a group or its individual members.