Deck 6: Consciousness

Question 1

Attention can be said to occur when:

A)a state of objective awareness is occurring
B)the brain selectively focuses on some information, while ignoring other information
C)a state of subjective awareness is occurring
D)internal processes take control leading to efficient, automatic behavior

Answer 1

the brain selectively focuses on some information, while ignoring other information

Question 2

The term consciousness refers to:

A)a state of objective awareness
B)a state of subjective awareness
C)awareness of external events, but not internal events
D)awareness of internal events, but not external events

Answer 2

a state of subjective awareness

Question 3

The subjective awareness of internal and external events is referred to as:

A)automaticity
B)filtering
C)consciousness
D)divided attention

Answer 3

consciousness

Question 4

Nancy participated in a study in which she was asked to listen to two streams of information played over headphones.One stream was played to her left ear and one stream was played to her right ear.She was asked to repeat aloud the information that she heard in her right ear.She participated in:

A)an ADHD task
B)a hearing test
C)a consciousness monitoring paradigm
D)a dichotic listening task

Question 5

Alexandra's 10-year-old has the television turned on, and her two teenagers are having a loud argument in the next room.However, she is able to ignore all these distractions and focus on the telephone conversation she is having with her neighbor.This example is an illustration of the phenomenon psychologists refer to as:

A)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B)the cocktail party effect
C)automaticity
D)subliminal processing of information

Question 6

The internal processes that people use to set priorities for mental functioning are referred to as:

A)consciousness
B)synesthesia
C)attention
D)hypermnesia

Question 7

The view that consciousness flows as a stream or river was proposed by:

A)Sigmund Freud
B)Wilhelm Wundt
C)B.F. Skinner
D)William James

Question 8

Consciousness refers to:

A)the internal processes that people use to set priorities for mental functioning
B)the effortless background processing of environmental stimuli
C)schematic reorganization of mental structures
D)the subjective awareness of internal and external events

Question 9

When a dichotic listening task is being performed, as person is asked to:

A)present a message to two different people without changing the wording
B)present a message to two different people with variations in wording
C)ignore a message presented to one ear while repeating a message presented to the other
D)ignore a message being presented to both ears while devising a totally new message

Question 10

When someone said your name across the room, your attention shifted immediately from the TV news you had been intently watching to that conversation.This is most similar to:

A)shadowing
B)auditory neglect
C)the cocktail party effect
D)attentional rebound

Question 11

Stanley was quite involved in a conversation with the student next to him and was not paying attention to his professor's geography lecture.Suddenly, he was aware that the professor had just said, "Stanley, what do you think?" Noticing his name in this way, when he had not been attending to the lecture illustrates:

A)the influence of subliminal stimulation
B)automaticity
C)auditory neglect
D)the cocktail party effect

Question 12

The brain selectively focuses on some information, while ignoring other information.This process is referred to as:

A)attention
B)subliminal perception
C)synesthesia
D)hypermnesia

Question 13

The cocktail party phenomenon refers to the ability to:

A)focus on one auditory message and ignore others
B)perform two different tasks simultaneously
C)process two auditory messages simultaneously and completely
D)ignore all auditory messages entering the system

Question 14

The purpose of a dichotic listening task is to:

A)investigate processes in attention
B)evaluate whether a behavior has reached automaticity
C)diagnose ADHD
D)test subliminal perception

Question 15

Mary took part in an experiment where she wore a special set of headphones that played different messages to each ear.The researchers asked her to repeat the message in her left ear as she listened to it.Based on the results of similar studies, it is likely that Mary will:

A)not be able to follow just one message and will often switch between the messages
B)be able to easily recall both messages, even though she only attended to the message in one ear
C)not be able to recall the content of either message that she is listening to
D)not be able to recall the content of the message that is playing in her right ear

Question 16

The cocktail party effect illustrates:

A)how visual neglect can influence behavior in a social setting
B)how attentional processes permit ignored information to be processed
C)how the perceptual processes are blended as in synesthesia
D)how the perceptual processes are influenced by commonly used drugs

Question 17

The term attention refers to:

A)a state of objective awareness
B)a state of subjective awareness
C)the internal processes that people use to set priorities for external behavior
D)the internal processes that people use to set priorities for mental functioning

Question 18

Attention refers to:

A)the subjective awareness of internal and external events
B)the effortless background processing of environmental stimuli
C)the internal processes that people use to set priorities for mental functioning
D)schematic reorganization of mental structures

Question 19

The ability to focus on one auditory message and ignore others is known as the:

A)shadowing effect
B)auditory neglect effect
C)the cocktail party effect
D)attentional rebound effect

Question 20

When different auditory messages are being presented simultaneously to each ear, and the subject's task is to repeat aloud one message while ignoring the other, the person is participating in:

A)a cocktail party task
B)systematic introspection
C)a dichotic listening task
D)systematic processing

Question 21

The increase in skilled performance shown by highly trained athletes when they are slightly distracted is evidence for the effects of:

A)effortfulness
B)systematic introspection
C)dichotic listening
D)automaticity

Question 22

The purpose of a divided attention task is to measure:

A)consciousness
B)systematic introspection
C)dichotic listening
D)automaticity

Question 23

Jesse took part in an experiment where he wore a special set of headphones that played different messages to each ear.The researchers asked him to repeat the message in his left ear.The message presented to his left ear was "The baseball player received a standing ovation, after applying it to the car." The message presented to his right ear was "It is extremely important to buff the wax, after he hit a grand-slam." Based on the results of similar studies, it is likely that Jesse will say:

A)"The baseball player received a standing ovation, after he hit a grand-slam."
B)"The baseball player received a standing ovation, after applying it to the car."
C)"The baseball player buffed the grand-slam car wax on the car."
D)"The baseball player received a standing ovation, after buffing the important wax."

Question 24

As individuals become more familiar with tasks, the proportion of the brain's conscious resources that are used to perform these tasks:

A)won't change, but the task is performed more quickly
B)will decrease, allowing other tasks to be performed at the same time
C)won't change, but other tasks will no longer interfere with the familiar task
D)will increase, allowing other tasks to be performed at the same time

Question 25

Keno was doing great in his driver's license road test until the officer started asking him questions.While replying, he scraped the curb and almost lost control.The most likely conclusion is:

A)Keno probably has visual neglect
B)Keno probably has attention deficit disorder
C)Keno's driving is not yet automatic
D)the cocktail party effect may occur while driving

Question 26

Processes that are fast, effortless, and do not require focused attention are described as:

A)neglectful
B)fovea
C)automatic
D)occipital

Question 27

Cell phone use while driving induces a state of:

A)focused attention
B)automaticity
C)inattention blindness
D)consciousness

Question 28

Automaticity involves:

A)slow, effortful processing that requires focused attention
B)fast, effortless processing that does not require focused attention
C)subconscious processing of information that is not important
D)focusing conscious attention on new and demanding tasks

Question 29

The better one is at performing a task, and the more automatic it has become:

A)the less likely one is to attend consciously to the details of the task
B)the less dichotic the task is
C)the more likely one is to attend consciously to the details of the task
D)the more dichotic the task is

Question 30

Compared to holding a conversation while driving, using a cell phone while driving:

A)is more disruptive
B)is less disruptive
C)is no different in its effect
D)actually improves one's driving

Question 31

A highly skilled professional basketball player is slightly distracted by the child in the crowd with the ladybug hand-puppet.Based on research divided attention, one would predict the basketball player's performance will:

A)decrease
B)increase
C)go unaffected
D)become variable

Question 32

Tammy took part in an experiment where she wore a special set of headphones that played different messages to each ear.The researchers asked her to repeat the message in her left ear.The message presented to her left ear was "Following weeks of increasing prices, the picnic had to be canceled." The message presented to her right ear was "After the rain started to fall, the stock market took a downturn." Based on the results of similar studies, it is likely that Tammy will say:

A)"Following weeks of increasing prices, the stock market took a downturn."
B)"Following weeks of increasing prices, the picnic had to be canceled."
C)"Following weeks of rain the stock market downturn had to be canceled."
D)"Following weeks of increasing prices, the rain started to fall."

Question 33

Driver inattention is estimated to be responsible for about what percentage of traffic accidents on U.S.highways?

A)10
B)30
C)50
D)70

Question 34

Rebecca is just learning to use her new graphing calculator.She needs to refer to the manual frequently and think about every step.As she becomes more familiar with the way in which her calculator functions, pressing the correct sequence of keys should become:

A)an automatic process that requires less attention and conscious effort
B)a subliminal process that requires less attention and conscious effort
C)an automatic process that requires more attention and conscious effort
D)a dichotic process that requires less attention and conscious effort

Question 35

Shane took part in an experiment where he wore a special set of headphones that played different messages to each ear.The researchers asked him to repeat the message in his left ear.The message presented to his left ear was "After hearing months of testimony, the river finally flooded its banks." The message presented to his right ear was "After weeks of nonstop rain, the jury delivered a verdict of not guilty." Based on the results of similar studies, it is likely that Shane will say:

A)"After hearing months of testimony, the river finally flooded its banks."
B)"After hearing weeks of rain the jury flooded non-stop guilty verdicts."
C)"After hearing months of testimony, the jury delivered a verdict of not guilty."
D)"After hearing months of testimony, there was nonstop rain."

Question 36

The evidence linking cell phone use to automobile accidents is:

A)based only on correlational research
B)based on experimental research
C)anecdotal
D)non-existent

Question 37

Studies have found that when highly trained athletes are slightly distracted:

A)their skilled performance decreases
B)consciousness increases
C)their skilled performance increases
D)consciousness decreases

Question 38

It is possible to measure automaticity through a:

A)cocktail party task
B)systematic introspection task
C)dichotic listening task
D)divided attention task

Question 39

Bonnie was playing the piano when her little sister asked her how to spell "rhinoceros." Bonnie was able to think through the complicated spelling without stopping her piano practice.This suggests that, for Bonnie:

A)piano playing has become an automatic process
B)spelling has become an automatic process
C)piano playing is an effortful process that requires conscious attention
D)spelling does not require focused attention

Question 40

Which of the following is least likely an automatic process?

A)driving
B)reading
C)talking
D)walking

Question 41

Sarah recently struck the right side of her head.She finds she is having trouble in her classes because, even though she takes down all the notes in class, when her friends go through their notes with her they notice she has missed almost half the information.In particular, she seems to miss everything that the professor writes on the left side of the board.Based on this information, Sarah may be suffering from:

A)visual neglect
B)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
C)Munchausen by proxy
D)visual agnosia

Question 42

An injury to the right parietal lobe is most likely to result in which of the following:

A)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B)drug dependency
C)synesthesia
D)visual neglect

Question 43

Deb has visual neglect.First the researcher shows her a picture of a normal plant and then a picture of a plant that is normal on the right side but is dead on the left side.When asked to choose which plant she would prefer to take home, Deb is likely to say:

A)"Either one, because they are both the same."
B)"The first one, even though they are both the same."
C)"Neither one, because they are both dead."
D)"The first one, because the second one is dead."

Question 44

The attentional problem that is associated with a tendency to ignore things that appear toward the left side of the body is:

A)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B)boustrophedria
C)visual ataxia
D)visual neglect

Question 45

Carl has visual neglect.First the researcher shows him a picture of a normal car and then a picture of a car that is normal on the right side but is wrecked on the left side.When asked to choose which car would be a better purchase, Carl is likely to say:

A)"Either one, because they are both the same."
B)"Neither one, because they are both wrecked."
C)"The first one, because the second one is wrecked."
D)"The first one, even though they are both the same."

Question 46

Visual neglect is an attentional problem in which:

A)opposing colors are perceived inaccurately
B)individuals are easily distracted and have difficulty completing tasks
C)objects cannot be accurately perceived while they are in motion
D)there is a tendency to ignore things that appear toward the left side of the body

Question 47

Shaun was in a car accident, and the doctors detected some damage to his right parietal lobe.Since the accident, Shaun only shaves the left side of his face.Based on his injuries and his behavior, you might conclude that Shaun has:

A)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B)Munchausen by proxy
C)visual neglect
D)visual agnosia

Question 48

Ali has visual neglect.First the researcher shows her a picture of a normal house and then a picture of a house that is normal on the right side but on fire on the left side.When asked to choose which house would be better to live in, Ali is likely to say:

A)"Either one, because they are both the same."
B)"The first one, even though they are both the same."
C)"Neither one, because they are both on fire."
D)"The first one, because the second one is on fire."

Question 49

The attentional problem that is associated with easy distractibility and impulsivity is:

A)visual neglect
B)synesthesia
C)visual ataxia
D)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Question 50

Which of the following has been used to treat ADHD?

A)stimulants
B)depressants
C)hallucinogens
D)all of these choices

Question 51

A person with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is likely to display which of the following?

A)excessive sleepiness during the day
B)difficulty focusing attention
C)hostility when asked to follow the rules
D)all of these choices

Question 52

The "burning house" research with visual neglect patients supports the idea that:

A)information not in consciousness may be processed and influence behavior
B)no processing occurs for even very important information if it is in the "neglected" region
C)automaticity develops with repeated exposure, even if presented in the "neglected" region
D)if important enough, stimuli in the neglected field will reach consciousness

Question 53

Ernest has trouble completing any projects that he starts because he is easily distracted.Based on this description, it would appear that Ernest may have:

A)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B)visual ataxia
C)divided consciousness
D)hypermnesia

Question 54

Joe is impulsive, has difficulty sitting still, and switches from one activity to another without completing anything.Joe's behavior is most likely a result of:

A)attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B)narcolepsy
C)synesthesia
D)attentional neglect

Question 55

A driver is going down the road speaking on a cell phone.You could predict the person's:

A)driving will improve
B)chances of being in an accident will be similar to driving while intoxicated
C)driving will be unaffected
D)chances of being in an accident will be similar to the average

Question 56

Stimulants, such as Ritalin, are used to treat:

A)visual neglect
B)synesthesia
C)ADHD
D)sleep disorders

Question 57

Visual neglect is most often associated with an injury to:

A)the left temporal lobe
B)the left occipital lobe
C)the right occipital lobe
D)the right parietal lobe

Question 58

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common psychological problems in school-aged children.Researchers estimate that:

A)the disorder affects 3-5% of all children
B)approximately 10% of all children are affected by the disorder
C)the disorder is evident in nearly 25% of all children
D)over 50% of all children are affected by the disorder

Question 59

Strayer and Johnston were investigating the link between cell phone use and the ability to react to environmental stimuli.While the participants tracked a moving target using a joystick, they were required to press a button each time a red light flashed at random points on a computer screen.While completing the task, one group used a hand-held cell phone to carry on a conversation, one group used a hands-free cell phone, and one group was not engaged in any conversation.The researchers measured the time that elapsed between the appearance of the red light and the button press.The results from this study suggested that compared to the group that was not engaged in any conversation, people engaged in a cell phone conversation:

A)detected the red light each time it was present, but were slower to react to the red light
B)failed to detect the red light more often, but had equally quick reaction times when the red light was detected
C)only showed slower reactions times if they were using a hand-held cell phone
D)failed to detect the red light more often, and were slower to react to the red light when it was detected

Question 60

Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, are often used in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.These medications seem to:

A)help concentration but increase hyperactivity and disruptive behavior
B)interfere with concentration but reduce hyperactivity and disruptive behavior
C)help concentration and reduce hyperactivity and disruptive behavior
D)interfere with concentration but increase a child's ability to focus his or her attention

Question 61

Brain structures that schedule rhythmic variations in bodily functions by triggering them at the appropriate times are called:

A)biological clocks
B)circadian timers
C)zeitgebers
D)arhythmics

Question 62

Luke's EEG pattern shows no signs of neural synchrony.This means Luke is:

A)relaxed and drowsy
B)awake and alert
C)in the first stage of sleep
D)in a deep sleep but not dreaming

Question 63

Theta waves are:

A)the low-amplitude, irregular waves that occur during Stage N1 sleep
B)the high-amplitude, slow waves that occur in a relaxed, drowsy state
C)the occasional sudden, sharp wave forms that occur during Stage N2 sleep
D)the high-amplitude, low-frequency waves that are associated with Stage N3 sleep

Question 64

The low-amplitude, irregular waves that are associated with Stage N1 sleep are called:

A)alpha waves
B)delta waves
C)theta waves
D)gamma waves

Question 65

The height of an EEG waveform indicates its:

A)frequency
B)regularity
C)width
D)amplitude

Question 66

The smoothness of the pattern of an EEG waveform indicates its:

A)frequency
B)regularity
C)width
D)amplitude

Question 67

A person is travelling from east to west.The person is:

A)less likely to suffer jet lag
B)more likely to suffer jet lag
C)less likely to suffer the zeitgeber effect
D)more likely to suffer the zeitgeber effect

Question 68

Jet lag is especially likely if travelling:

A)west
B)east
C)north
D)south

Question 69

Milton is hooked up to an EEG in a sleep lab.As the researcher watches the EEG recording, alpha waves appear.Based on this information, the researcher can conclude that Milton:

A)has just entered Stage N1 sleep
B)has just entered Stage N3 sleep
C)is experiencing REM sleep
D)is awake, but relaxed and drowsy

Question 70

Theta waves typically occur during which stage of sleep?

A)Stage N1
B)Stage N2
C)Stage N3
D)REM

Question 71

The number of cycles per second of an EEG waveform indicates its:

A)frequency
B)regularity
C)width
D)amplitude

Question 72

A person is travelling from west to east.The person is:

A)less likely to suffer jet lag
B)more likely to suffer jet lag
C)less likely to suffer the zeitgeber effect
D)more likely to suffer the zeitgeber effect

Question 73

Marie is drowsy and her eyes are closed.She has not yet begun Stage N1 sleep, but she is extremely relaxed.If Marie were connected to an EEG, the recording would most likely show the presence of:

A)theta waves
B)delta waves
C)gamma waves
D)alpha waves

Question 74

An EEG monitors:

A)periods of sleep apnea
B)electrical activity in the brain
C)neurotransmitter levels
D)consumption of radioactive isotopes in the brain

Question 75

The term "zeitgeber" refers to:

A)factors that hinder the efficient operation of our biological clocks
B)important controlling factors in the environment that help set our internal clocks
C)hormonal changes that trigger eating behavior
D)hormonal changes that stop eating behavior

Question 76

Team "East" is flying from the east coast to the west coast to play, while Team "West" is flying from the west coast to the east coast to play.You would expect:

A)Team West will suffer more from jet lag than Team East
B)Team East will suffer more from jet lag than Team West
C)both teams will suffer from jet lag to an equal extent
D)neither team will suffer from jet lag

Question 77

Regular high-amplitude waves of low frequency represent:

A)zeitgeber arrhythmia
B)zeitgeber rhythm
C)neural asynchrony
D)neural synchrony

Question 78

The EEG pattern of a person who is awake shows:

A)no evidence of zeitgeber rhythm
B)evidence of zeitgeber rhythm
C)no evidence of neural synchrony
D)evidence of neural synchrony

Question 79

Theo is hooked up to an EEG in a sleep lab.As the researcher watches the EEG recording, theta waves appear.Based on this information, the researcher can conclude that Theo:

A)is awake, but relaxed and drowsy
B)has just entered Stage N3 sleep
C)is experiencing REM sleep
D)has just entered Stage N1 sleep

Question 80

Sleep research is performed by monitoring electrical activity in the brain using a device called a(n):

A)MRI
B)EEG
C)PET
D)CAT