Neuroplasticity and Mental Health Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of neuroplasticity in the brain?

To provide a fixed structure for neural pathways

To allow recovery from injuries and adapt to new information (correct)

To weaken synaptic connections permanently

To enhance genetic information storage

Which type of brain plasticity involves the physical changes in the brain's neural pathways?

Dynamic plasticity

Functional plasticity

Structural plasticity (correct)

Adaptive plasticity

What is the process called that enhances memory stability after initial learning?

Reinforcement

Activation

Encoding

Consolidation (correct)

What is the role of the hippocampus in the brain?

Formation of new memories and spatial navigation Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the initial acquisition of information in memory processing?

Encoding Signup and view all the answers

What does functional plasticity allow the brain to do?

Change the function of existing neural pathways after damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the amygdala in memory consolidation?

It plays a role in processing emotional aspects, especially fear Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by having at least one major depressive episode?

Major Depressive Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about synaptic connections is true regarding neuroplasticity?

New synapses can be formed in response to learning. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hallmark symptom of Illness Anxiety Disorder?

Preoccupation with thoughts of having a serious illness Signup and view all the answers

Which type of disorder is classified under Cluster B personality disorders?

Antisocial Personality Disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder includes symptoms like flashbacks and nightmares?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Bipolar II Disorder?

At least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disorders is generally associated with prior trauma?

Conversion Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What do negative symptoms of schizophrenia include?

Loss of affect and avolition Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is primarily responsible for acquired skills and conditioned responses?

Implicit memory Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is primarily linked to a loss of acetylcholine in neurons?

Alzheimer's disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of retroactive interference?

Old memories obstructing new learning Signup and view all the answers

What does the mnemonic 'FACTS' represent in the context of semantic networks?

Facts, Associated memories, Concepts linked, Triggers activate, and Requires STM Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes synaptic pruning?

The elimination of weak connections and strengthening of strong ones Signup and view all the answers

What is the active ingredient in marijuana responsible for its effects?

Tetrahydrocannabinol Signup and view all the answers

What memory process recognizes information more effectively?

Recognition Signup and view all the answers

Which type of amnesia is primarily caused by long-term alcohol abuse leading to thiamine deficiency?

Anterograde amnesia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines divided attention?

Paying attention to multiple activities simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

How does neuroplasticity aid in learning and memory formation?

By allowing the brain to reorganize and form new connections Signup and view all the answers

What does semantics study in the context of language?

The meaning of words Signup and view all the answers

Which theory posits that language acquisition is primarily a result of operant conditioning?

Learning (Behaviorist) Theory Signup and view all the answers

Phonology refers to which aspect of language?

The sounds of speech used in communication Signup and view all the answers

What does the Whorfian Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis suggest?

Language shapes our perception of reality Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following functions does selective attention primarily serve?

Prioritizing attention to a specific stimulus Signup and view all the answers

What role does morphology play in language?

It represents the building blocks of words Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between conformity and obedience?

Conformity involves changing beliefs to fit a group, whereas obedience is a response to authority commands. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of the attitude structure?

Compliant Signup and view all the answers

According to Functional Attitudes Theory, which of the following is not one of the four functional areas of attitudes?

Assimilation Signup and view all the answers

How does the Elaboration Likelihood Model primarily categorize the processing of attitudes?

By the depth of information processing Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents Learning Theory in the context of attitude development?

Attitudes are learned through direct experience and conditioning. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of social processes, what does the term 'status' refer to?

A classification of individuals based on their societal position. Signup and view all the answers

Which attitude formation theory emphasizes learning through observation?

Social Cognitive Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of in-groups?

They foster a sense of belonging among members. Signup and view all the answers

What behavior is characteristic of a disorganized attachment in children?

Erratic or abusive caregiving Signup and view all the answers

Which type of support involves affirming someone's qualities and skills?

Esteem support Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'social capital' refer to?

The practice of maintaining relationships that provide mutual support Signup and view all the answers

In attribution theory, what is meant by 'dispositional' causes?

Internal causes related to behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive bias involves focusing on the first impression and allowing it to influence subsequent judgments?

Primacy effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the halo effect in social perception?

Assuming a single trait indicates unrelated traits Signup and view all the answers

What does the correspondent inference theory emphasize regarding behavior attribution?

Intentionality behind a person's actions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes social perception?

Generating impressions about people based on attributes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Psychology and Sociology

Psychology & Sociology flashcards
Covers topics from a variety of chapters

Neuropsychology

Franz Gall (1758–1828): Phrenology (incorrect idea that brain traits are directly related to the size of specific brain areas)
Pierre Flourens (1794–1867): Studied brain functions through extirpation (removing parts of the brain to observe the effects)
William James (1842–1910): Father of American Psychology, Functionalism (how mental processes help people adapt)
John Dewey (1859–1952): Functionalist psychologist
Paul Broca (1824–1880): Broca's Area (speech production). Studied people with brain lesions
Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–1894): Measured the speed of nerve impulses
Sir Charles Sherrington (1857–1952): Discovered synapses
Sigmund Freud (1856–1939): Psychoanalytic perspective

Organization of the Human Nervous System

Neurons:
- Sensory (afferent): Receptors → spinal cord
- Interneurons: Between other neurons (mainly CNS)
- Motor (efferent): CNS → muscles & glands
Reflex Arcs: Information relayed through spinal cord to the source of stimuli and brain
Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Nervous tissue and fibers outside the CNS
- Somatic: Voluntary control
- Autonomic: Sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest)
Functional Neuron Types:
- Sensory (unipolar)
- Motor (multipolar)
- Interneuron (multipolar)

Organization of the Brain

Hindbrain: Cerebellum, medulla oblongata, reticular formation
Midbrain: Inferior and superior colliculi
Forebrain: Thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, limbic system, cerebral cortex
Methods of Study:
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Regional cerebral blood flow
Meninges: Thick sheath of connective tissue protecting the brain. Keeps the brain anchored, and absorbs cerebrospinal fluid

Parts of the Forebrain

Thalamus: Sensory relay station
Hypothalamus: Homeostasis & endocrine system
Basal Ganglia: Smooths movements & helps with postural stability
Limbic System: Septal Nuclei (pleasure & addiction), Amygdala (fear & aggression), Hippocampus (emotion & memory)
Cerebral Cortex: Four lobes (frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal)

Influences on Behavior

Neurotransmitters: Chemical messengers:
- Acetylcholine: Muscle movement, parasympathetic, CNS
- Dopamine: Smooth muscle movement, posture
- Endorphins & Enkephalins: Natural painkillers
- Epinephrine & Norepinephrine: Wakefulness, "fight or flight", hormone vs. neurotransmitter
- GABA, Glycine, Glutamate: Inhibitory neurotransmitters
- Serotonin: Mood, sleep, eating, dreaming
Other endocrine hormones: Cortisol (stress), testosterone (aggression), estrogen (behavior)

Brain Development

Neurulation: Notochord stimulates ectoderm, creating neural tube, topped with neural crest cells
Neural Tube: Becomes the CNS
Neural Crest Cells: Spread to diverse regions, forming various tissues
Reflexes: Present in infants, some disappear (rooting, moro, babinski)

Sensation vs. Perception

Sensation: Sensory organs receive and transmit stimuli to the brain.
Perception: Processing and interpreting sensory information.
Sensory Receptors: Specialized tissues or cells that respond to stimuli.
Sensory Ganglia: Collections of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system.
Projection Areas: Brain areas where sensory information is analyzed.
Absolute Threshold: Minimum stimulus energy to activate a sensory system.
Threshold of Conscious Perception: Minimum stimulus energy to bring a signal into awareness.
Difference Threshold: Minimum difference in stimulus between two events for them to be perceived as significantly different.
Weber's Law: Just Noticeable Difference (JND) for a stimulus is proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus.
Signal Detection Theory: Impact of non-sensory factors (e.g., experience, motivation) on stimulus perception. Referred to as Response Bias.
Adaptation: Change in sensitivity to a stimulus

Vision

Cornea: Gathers and filters incoming light.
Iris: Controls pupil size
Lens: Refracts light to focus it on the retina.
Aqueous Humor: Provides nutrients and shape to the eye
Retina: Rods (light/dark) and cones (color). Cones in fovea
Retinal Disparity: Space between eyes allowing for binocular vision.
Horizontal & Amacrine Cells: Integrates signals, edge enhancement.
Processing: Parallel processing (color, form, and motion); Magnocellular (motion), Parvocellular (shape and detail)cells

Hearing and Vestibular Sense

Outer Ear: Pinna, external auditory canal, tympanic membrane
Middle Ear: Ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes)
Inner Ear: Bony labyrinth (perilymph), membranous labyrinth (endolymph): Cochlea (sound), utricle & saccule (linear acceleration), semicircular canals (rotational acceleration).
Projection Areas: Superior Olive (sound localization) and Inferior Colliculus (startle reflex)

Other Senses

Smell: Olfactory chemoreceptors in olfactory epithelium detect volatile/aerosolized chemicals; Olfactory info bypasses the thalamus.
Taste: Taste buds in papillae detect dissolved chemicals.
Somatosensation: Pressure, vibration, pain, temperature.
Two-Point Threshold: Minimum distance for stimuli to be felt as separate points on the skin.
Physiological Zero: Normal skin temperature
Nociceptors: Pain reception
Kinesthetic Sense: Proprioception

Object Recognition

Top-Down Processing: Recognition influenced by memories and expectations.
Bottom-Up Processing: Recognition based on feature detection, independent of background knowledge.
Gestalt Principles: Proximity, similarity, continuity, closure; governed by the law of Prägnanz

Learning and Memory

Encoding: Process of getting information into memory; can be automatic or effortful.
Sensory & Short Term Memory: Transient & neurotransmitter-based
Working Memory: STM, attention & executive functions
Long Term Memory: Elaborate rehearsal & increased connectivity.
Explicit (Declarative) Memory: Consciously recalled memories
Implicit (Nondeclarative) Memory: Acquired skills/conditioned responses
Semantic Networks: Stores facts, Concepts linked by meaning
Retrieval: Recognition stronger than recall; based on priming interconnected nodes
Diseases: Alzheimer's, Korsakoff's, Agnosia.
Interference: Retroactive (new memories) and proactive (old memories)
Neuroplasticity: Brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new connections throughout life
Neural Circuits: Networks of interconnected neurons involved in memory (formation, retrieval, consolidation)
Synaptic Pruning: Elimination of weaker connections for efficiency of neural communication

Cognition, Consciousness, and Language

Attention: Selective attention; divided attention
Hypnosis: Highly suggestible state
Meditation: Quieting of the mind
Consciousness: Different states or levels, corresponding to EEG wave types.
Drugs Affecting States of Consciousness: Depressants, Stimulants, Opioid Narcotics, Hallucinogens
Mesolimbic Pathway: Mediates drug addiction, central for dopamine reward circuits

Motivation, Emotion, and Stress

Motivation: The driving force behind actions; Extrinsic (external reward) & Intrinsic (internal motivator)
Instincts: Innate, fixed patterns of behaviors
Arousal: State of alertness and stimulation
Drive Reduction Theory: Motivated by internal tension to reduce it
Maslow's Hierarchy: Basic needs (physiological, safety), intermediate needs (love, belonging), and upper needs (esteem, self-actualization)
Opponent-Process Theory: Explains tolerance and withdrawal (drug use)
Incentive Theory: Motivation as a desire for rewards and avoidance of punishments
Expectancy-Value Theory: Motivation based on expectation of success and value

Emotion

Emotions: States of mind or feelings that arise from various factors
Three Component Model of Emotion: Cognitive (subjective experience), Physiological (bodily changes), Behavioral (facial expression, body language)
Universal Emotions: Happiness, sadness, contempt, surprise, fear, disgust, and anger
James-Lange Theory: Physiological reactions precede emotions
Cannon-Bard Theory: Emotions and physiological arousal are simultaneous and independent
Schacter-Singer Two-factor Theory: Physiology & interpretation of context lead to emotions
Limbic System: Brain region responsible for instincts & mood

Stress

Stress: Physiological and cognitive responses to challenges.
Stress Appraisal: Primary (classify as benign, neutral, or threatening) and secondary (assess ability to cope)
Stressors: Any event causing a stress response
Distress: Negative stress with negative implications
Eustress: Positive stress with potential for gain or growth
General Adaptation Syndrome: Alarm (initial response), resistance (adaptation), and exhaustion (long-term exposure)

Self-Concept, Identity, and Personality

Self-Concept: Sum of ways to describe oneself
Identities: Group-based aspects of self-concept
Self-Esteem: The discrepancy between perceived self and ideal or ought selves
Self-Efficacy: Perceived competence in a situation
Learned Helplessness: A state of hopelessness from repeated negative experience
Locus of Control: Internal (self-control), external (outside influences)
Freud's Psychosexual Stages: Stages of personality development based on the libido (sexual energy) or satisfaction & unresolved issues
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages: Stages of personality development based on social interactions and conflicts (trust vs mistrust)
Kohlberg's Moral Development Stages: Stages of moral reasoning
Vygotsky's Theory, Imitation & Role Taking Focuses on development aspects through observing others

Social Stratification: A system of ranking social categories
Social Institutions: Stable structures that dictate behavior.
Gender, Ethnic, Sexual Social differences amongst groups.
Social Movements: organized to promote or resist social change.
Globalization: Integrating global economy.
Urbanization: Process of population density increasing.
Fertility Rate: Average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime
Mortality Rate: Number of deaths per 1000 people per year
Migration: Movement of people from one location to another
Demographic Transition Model: Hypothesizes changes in birth/death rates as societies industrialize

Social Facilitation: Performance changes in the presence of others
Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness in groups
Bystander Effect: Less likely to help in groups
Peer Pressure: Social influence
Social Loafing: Individual contributions reduced when in groups
Groupthink: Group decisions without considering alternative viewpoints
Cultural Lag: Symbolic culture changes slowly compared to material culture
Language: A symbolic system for communication.
Values: What is important to a culture
Beliefs: Accuracies or Truths held within a culture
Rituals: Ceremonial customs
Norms: Societal rules for appropriate behavior
Material Culture: Physical objects, tools, technology.

Social Perception: How humans interpret and form impressions of others.
Social Capital: Resources available through social connections.
Implicit Personality Theories: Assumptions of character traits based on an initial impression.
Cognitive Biases: Primacy, recency, central traits, halo, just world, self-serving biases
Attribution Theory: Why people behave the way they do; dispositional vs. situational, correspondent inference theory.
Actor-observer Bias: Attributing own behavior to external factors, other's behavior to internal factors.
Stereotypes: Generalizations about groups
Self-fulfilling prophecy: Stereotypes lead to behaviors that confirm them
Stereotype threat: Anxiety about confirming stereotypes
Prejudice: Negative attitude toward a group
Ethnocentrism: Judging other cultures by one's own standards
Cultural relativism: Recognizing and understanding cultural differences
Discrimination: Biased treatment of individuals due to group affiliation

Psychological Disorders

Behavioral Approach: Conditioning plays a major role in disorders
Biomedical Approach: Focuses on physiological factors and medical treatment.
Biopsychosocial Approach: Considers biological, psychological, and social factors
DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition), categorizes disorders according to defined criteria
Schizophrenia: Genetic factors, birth trauma, etc.
Depression: Increased glucocorticoids, norepinephrine, serotonin
Bipolar Disorders: Increased norepinephrine, serotonin
Alzheimer's Disease: Genetic factors, brain atrophy, acetylcholine
Parkinson's Disease: Bradykinesia, resting tremor, mask-like facies, gait abnormality, dopamine depletion

Epidemiology and Disparities

Incidence: Number of new cases per population
Prevalence: Total number of cases of a disease.
Mortality Rate: Number of deaths caused by a disease
Ethnic Migrants: Health implications for those emigrating and settling in industrialized countries
Morbidity: Burden of disease
Affordable Care Act: Attempts to increase health insurance coverage
Medicare and Medicaid: Covers populations (based on age and financial need)

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Test your knowledge on neuroplasticity, memory processes, and associated brain structures. This quiz explores key concepts in neuroscience and psychological disorders, providing insights into how the brain adapts and changes. Discover the relationship between neuroplasticity and mental health conditions through a series of thought-provoking questions.