Question 1

According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most true regarding factors that influence brain development?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genetic factors have the strongest influence on brain development, particularly later in life. 
B)  Environmental factors and people's experiences have the strongest influence on brain development in middle childhood. 
C)  Together, brain development is shaped by genetic and environmental factors throughout the life span. 
D)  Environmental factors are particularly influential in abnormal brain development. 
A)  Genetic factors have the strongest influence on brain development, particularly later in life. 
B)  Environmental factors and people's experiences have the strongest influence on brain development in middle childhood. 
C)  Together, brain development is shaped by genetic and environmental factors throughout the life span. 
D)  Environmental factors are particularly influential in abnormal brain development. C

Question 2

Which one of the following best describes psychologists' current beliefs about the brain and learning?

Accepted Answer

A)  Learning involves changes in synapses and possibly also involves the growth of new neurons and astrocytes. 
B)  Large doses of certain vitamins promote brain growth and lead to more rapid learning. 
C)  Left-hemisphere-dominant individuals are, on average, more effective learners than right-hemisphere-dominant individuals. 
D)  The brains of rapid learners are about 20% larger than the brains of slower learners. 
A)  Learning involves changes in synapses and possibly also involves the growth of new neurons and astrocytes. 
B)  Large doses of certain vitamins promote brain growth and lead to more rapid learning. 
C)  Left-hemisphere-dominant individuals are, on average, more effective learners than right-hemisphere-dominant individuals. 
D)  The brains of rapid learners are about 20% larger than the brains of slower learners. A

Question 3

Which one of the following best exemplifies experience-dependent plasticity?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hearing subtle differences in similar-sounding words 
B)  Learning how to pronounce words like a native speaker 
C)  Learning syntactical structures of one's native language 
D)  Learning how to read 
A)  Hearing subtle differences in similar-sounding words 
B)  Learning how to pronounce words like a native speaker 
C)  Learning syntactical structures of one's native language 
D)  Learning how to read D

Question 4

Which one of the following is the best example of a reflex as psychologists define the term?

Accepted Answer

A)  Going to sleep when you are tired 
B)  Feeling sad when a close relative dies 
C)  Pulling your foot away from a painful object 
D)  Jumping up and down for joy when you get a good grade 
A)  Going to sleep when you are tired 
B)  Feeling sad when a close relative dies 
C)  Pulling your foot away from a painful object 
D)  Jumping up and down for joy when you get a good grade

Question 5

Which one of the following best describes the growth of neurons during the prenatal period?

Accepted Answer

A)  An overabundance of neurons emerges early in prenatal development, but about half of the neurons die before birth. 
B)  Neurons continue to be generated at a rapid rate throughout the last six months of the prenatal period. 
C)  Neurons begin to develop in the fifth month of pregnancy, and they proliferate rapidly during the third trimester. 
D)  Neurons that will support basic physiological functioning appear in the first two months after conception; those that will be responsible for higher-level thinking processes don't appear until two or three months before birth. 
A)  An overabundance of neurons emerges early in prenatal development, but about half of the neurons die before birth. 
B)  Neurons continue to be generated at a rapid rate throughout the last six months of the prenatal period. 
C)  Neurons begin to develop in the fifth month of pregnancy, and they proliferate rapidly during the third trimester. 
D)  Neurons that will support basic physiological functioning appear in the first two months after conception; those that will be responsible for higher-level thinking processes don't appear until two or three months before birth.

Question 6

After a severe head injury, Mary has exceptional difficulty setting goals and in other ways planning her actions. Without knowing anything else about Mary's injury, you might reasonably conclude that it affected her:

Accepted Answer

A)  forebrain 
B)  midbrain 
C)  hindbrain 
D)  reticular formation 
A)  forebrain 
B)  midbrain 
C)  hindbrain 
D)  reticular formation

Question 7

Three of the following statements are consistent with research findings about factors that influence brain development. Which statement has not been supported by research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genetic factors predispose some people to learning difficulties or mental illness. 
B)  High levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to mental retardation. 
C)  High levels of toxic substances e. g., lead, pesticides  have their greatest negative impact after puberty. 
D)  Opportunities to learn certain skills may lead to detectable differences in brain structures or patterns of brain activation. 
A)  Genetic factors predispose some people to learning difficulties or mental illness. 
B)  High levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to mental retardation. 
C)  High levels of toxic substances e. g., lead, pesticides  have their greatest negative impact after puberty. 
D)  Opportunities to learn certain skills may lead to detectable differences in brain structures or patterns of brain activation.

Question 8

The textbook describes five general research methods that scientists use to determine how the brain functions. In three short paragraphs, describe three of them.

Accepted Answer

The first research method described in t

Question 9

Which one of the following best describes mirror neurons?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are pairs of neurons that have identical functions on opposite sides of the cortex. 
B)  They are the primary reason why infants can recognize their own reflections as early as 3 months of age. 
C)  They fire when a person either makes a particular response or observes someone else make that response. 
D)  They are the only kinds of neurons that are consistently found in all primate species. 
A)  They are pairs of neurons that have identical functions on opposite sides of the cortex. 
B)  They are the primary reason why infants can recognize their own reflections as early as 3 months of age. 
C)  They fire when a person either makes a particular response or observes someone else make that response. 
D)  They are the only kinds of neurons that are consistently found in all primate species.

Question 10

In the human brain, a great deal of synaptic pruning occurs in early childhood. This pruning appears to be:

Accepted Answer

A)  The unfortunate result of insufficiently stimulating home environments 
B)  An adaptive process that allows children to deal more efficiently with their environment 
C)  Due to an imbalance of important nutrients, and especially to low levels of the B vitamins in many children's diets 
D)  Reflective of the fact that the forebrain is slowly taking over responsibility for functions that have previously been regulated by the hindbrain and midbrain 
A)  The unfortunate result of insufficiently stimulating home environments 
B)  An adaptive process that allows children to deal more efficiently with their environment 
C)  Due to an imbalance of important nutrients, and especially to low levels of the B vitamins in many children's diets 
D)  Reflective of the fact that the forebrain is slowly taking over responsibility for functions that have previously been regulated by the hindbrain and midbrain

Question 11

Which one of the following best describes how neurons transmit messages to one another?

Accepted Answer

A)  By stimulating the growth of surrounding glial cells 
B)  By attaching themselves to the same terminal buttons 
C)  By fusing the axon of one with a dendrite of the other 
D)  By sending chemical substances across a tiny gap between them 
A)  By stimulating the growth of surrounding glial cells 
B)  By attaching themselves to the same terminal buttons 
C)  By fusing the axon of one with a dendrite of the other 
D)  By sending chemical substances across a tiny gap between them

Question 12

Which one of the following statements most accurately describes a neuron's threshold of excitation?

Accepted Answer

A)  A neuron responds when it is stimulated by some of its neighboring neurons, but not when it is stimulated by other neighbors. 
B)  A neuron fires only when its electrical charge reaches a particular level. 
C)  A neuron is receptive to stimulation from other neurons only at points where there are gaps in its myelin sheath. 
D)  A neuron will fire at a maximum rate of no more than once every three seconds. 
A)  A neuron responds when it is stimulated by some of its neighboring neurons, but not when it is stimulated by other neighbors. 
B)  A neuron fires only when its electrical charge reaches a particular level. 
C)  A neuron is receptive to stimulation from other neurons only at points where there are gaps in its myelin sheath. 
D)  A neuron will fire at a maximum rate of no more than once every three seconds.

Question 13

Three of the following educators are using an accurate understanding of the brain and its development to guide their teaching. Which one is not?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mr. Ornstein divides his class into two groups-left-brain thinkers and right-brain thinkers-and gives each group different activities, tailored to the strengths of their dominant hemisphere. 
B)  Ms. Chen knows that her middle school students could struggle to control their impulses, so she has them practice appropriate behaviors before their scheduled field trip. 
C)  Ms. Alda, a music teacher, knows that the plasticity of the brain could help her students make connections between music and math. 
D)  Mr. Helbert knows that the environment, not just genetics, affects student learning, so he plans for Aisha to participate in the same science activities as her classmates, despite the fact that he taught her brother last year and he struggled with certain concepts. 
A)  Mr. Ornstein divides his class into two groups-left-brain thinkers and right-brain thinkers-and gives each group different activities, tailored to the strengths of their dominant hemisphere. 
B)  Ms. Chen knows that her middle school students could struggle to control their impulses, so she has them practice appropriate behaviors before their scheduled field trip. 
C)  Ms. Alda, a music teacher, knows that the plasticity of the brain could help her students make connections between music and math. 
D)  Mr. Helbert knows that the environment, not just genetics, affects student learning, so he plans for Aisha to participate in the same science activities as her classmates, despite the fact that he taught her brother last year and he struggled with certain concepts.

Question 14

Naomi wakes up several hours after a severe blow to her head has rendered her unconscious. She can remember nothing about events leading up to the incident, reflecting the importance of _____________ in learning and memory.

Accepted Answer

A)  neurogenesis 
B)  consolidation 
C)  a critical period 
D)  the corpus callosum 
A)  neurogenesis 
B)  consolidation 
C)  a critical period 
D)  the corpus callosum

Question 15

Given what psychologists believe to be true about how information is typically stored in the brain, how is the concept dog probably represented in your brain?

Accepted Answer

A)  As a single neuron located in the prefrontal cortex 
B)  As a network of neurons spread across multiple brain regions 
C)  As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in the left parietal lobe 
D)  As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in one of the occipital lobes 
A)  As a single neuron located in the prefrontal cortex 
B)  As a network of neurons spread across multiple brain regions 
C)  As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in the left parietal lobe 
D)  As a cluster of interconnected neurons located in one of the occipital lobes

Question 16

According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most warranted from research on brain development?

Accepted Answer

A)  To become truly skilled in such domains as art and music, children should begin systematic instruction in these domains before the age of five. 
B)  The ability to think abstractly depends on the development of many synaptic connections during the first five years of life. 
C)  Children probably won't acquire the basic skills essential to succeed in the adult world 
D)  Classroom experiences can significantly enhance people's cognitive development throughout the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school years. 
E) g., reading, writing, math) unless they begin developing those skills in the early elementary grades at the latest. 
A)  To become truly skilled in such domains as art and music, children should begin systematic instruction in these domains before the age of five. 
B)  The ability to think abstractly depends on the development of many synaptic connections during the first five years of life. 
C)  Children probably won't acquire the basic skills essential to succeed in the adult world 
D)  Classroom experiences can significantly enhance people's cognitive development throughout the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary school years. 
E) g., reading, writing, math) unless they begin developing those skills in the early elementary grades at the latest.

Question 17

Someone tries to convince you that parents should put their children in enriching preschool environments by their second birthday at the latest. How would you respond to this individual? In your response:
a. State whether you agree or disagree with the person.
b. Defend your position given recent findings about brain development. Include the following concepts in your discussion:
i) synaptogenesis
ii) synaptic pruning
iii) experience-expectant and experience-dependent plasticity

Accepted Answer

I disagree with the idea that parents sh

Question 18

Several teachers tell you that they are "teaching to students' right brains" by spending a lot of time on painting, map interpretation, geometry, and other highly visual and/or spatial activities. Critique their claim using what you have learned about how the human brain functions.

Accepted Answer

The idea of "teaching to students' right

Question 19

Three of the following describe methods what researchers commonly use to determine how the human brain probably functions. Which one is not a commonly used method to study the brain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Documenting the behaviors of people with various kinds of brain injuries 
B)  Recording brain activity through PET scans, CAT scans, and similar technologies 
C)  Measuring the levels of various hormones and other substances in the blood 
D)  Removing a certain part of an animal's brain and observing the animal's subsequent behaviors 
A)  Documenting the behaviors of people with various kinds of brain injuries 
B)  Recording brain activity through PET scans, CAT scans, and similar technologies 
C)  Measuring the levels of various hormones and other substances in the blood 
D)  Removing a certain part of an animal's brain and observing the animal's subsequent behaviors

Question 20

As children grow older, many of their neurons begin to transmit messages more rapidly than they did in the early years of life, thanks to:

Accepted Answer

A)  synaptic pruning 
B)  synaptogenesis 
C)  myelination 
D)  maturation of the limbic system 
A)  synaptic pruning 
B)  synaptogenesis 
C)  myelination 
D)  maturation of the limbic system

According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most true regarding factors that influence brain development?

Which one of the following best describes psychologists' current beliefs about the brain and learning?

Which one of the following best exemplifies experience-dependent plasticity?

Which one of the following is the best example of a reflex as psychologists define the term?

Which one of the following best describes the growth of neurons during the prenatal period?

After a severe head injury, Mary has exceptional difficulty setting goals and in other ways planning her actions. Without knowing anything else about Mary's injury, you might reasonably conclude that it affected her:

Three of the following statements are consistent with research findings about factors that influence brain development. Which statement has not been supported by research?

The textbook describes five general research methods that scientists use to determine how the brain functions. In three short paragraphs, describe three of them.

Which one of the following best describes mirror neurons?

In the human brain, a great deal of synaptic pruning occurs in early childhood. This pruning appears to be:

Which one of the following best describes how neurons transmit messages to one another?

Which one of the following statements most accurately describes a neuron's threshold of excitation?

Three of the following educators are using an accurate understanding of the brain and its development to guide their teaching. Which one is not?

Naomi wakes up several hours after a severe blow to her head has rendered her unconscious. She can remember nothing about events leading up to the incident, reflecting the importance of _____________ in learning and memory.

Given what psychologists believe to be true about how information is typically stored in the brain, how is the concept dog probably represented in your brain?

According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most warranted from research on brain development?

Several teachers tell you that they are "teaching to students' right brains" by spending a lot of time on painting, map interpretation, geometry, and other highly visual and/or spatial activities. Critique their claim using what you have learned about how the human brain functions.

Three of the following describe methods what researchers commonly use to determine how the human brain probably functions. Which one is not a commonly used method to study the brain?

As children grow older, many of their neurons begin to transmit messages more rapidly than they did in the early years of life, thanks to:

Perspectives on Learning

Behaviorist Principles and Theories

Applications of Behaviorist Principles

Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction to Cognitive Perspectives

The Nature of Knowledge

Cognitive-Developmental Perspectives

Sociocultural Theories

Contemporary Contextual Frameworks

Metacognition, Self-Regulated Learning, and Study Strategies

Transfer, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking

Learning and Technology

Basic Concepts and Principles in Human Motivation

Cognitive Factors in Motivation

Appendiex Integrative

Filters

Exam 2: Learning and the Brain

According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most true regarding factors that influence brain development?

Which one of the following best describes psychologists' current beliefs about the brain and learning?

Which one of the following best exemplifies experience-dependent plasticity?

Which one of the following is the best example of a reflex as psychologists define the term?

Which one of the following best describes the growth of neurons during the prenatal period?

After a severe head injury, Mary has exceptional difficulty setting goals and in other ways planning her actions. Without knowing anything else about Mary's injury, you might reasonably conclude that it affected her:

Three of the following statements are consistent with research findings about factors that influence brain development. Which statement has not been supported by research?

The textbook describes five general research methods that scientists use to determine how the brain functions. In three short paragraphs, describe three of them.

Which one of the following best describes mirror neurons?

In the human brain, a great deal of synaptic pruning occurs in early childhood. This pruning appears to be:

Which one of the following best describes how neurons transmit messages to one another?

Which one of the following statements most accurately describes a neuron's threshold of excitation?

Three of the following educators are using an accurate understanding of the brain and its development to guide their teaching. Which one is not?

Naomi wakes up several hours after a severe blow to her head has rendered her unconscious. She can remember nothing about events leading up to the incident, reflecting the importance of _____________ in learning and memory.

Given what psychologists believe to be true about how information is typically stored in the brain, how is the concept dog probably represented in your brain?

According to the textbook, which one of the following conclusions is most warranted from research on brain development?

Several teachers tell you that they are "teaching to students' right brains" by spending a lot of time on painting, map interpretation, geometry, and other highly visual and/or spatial activities. Critique their claim using what you have learned about how the human brain functions.

Three of the following describe methods what researchers commonly use to determine how the human brain probably functions. Which one is not a commonly used method to study the brain?

As children grow older, many of their neurons begin to transmit messages more rapidly than they did in the early years of life, thanks to:

Perspectives on Learning

Behaviorist Principles and Theories

Applications of Behaviorist Principles

Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction to Cognitive Perspectives

The Nature of Knowledge

Cognitive-Developmental Perspectives

Sociocultural Theories

Contemporary Contextual Frameworks

Metacognition, Self-Regulated Learning, and Study Strategies

Transfer, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking

Learning and Technology

Basic Concepts and Principles in Human Motivation

Cognitive Factors in Motivation

Appendiex Integrative

Filters