Psychology Assignment: Biological Bases of Behavior

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Questions and Answers

Which lobe of the brain is primarily responsible for voluntary movements?

Temporal lobe

Occipital lobe

Parietal lobe

Frontal lobe (correct)

What is the function of the cerebellum in the brain?

Controlling balance and movement (correct)

Facilitating analytical thought

Processing sensory data

Regulating survival functions

Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle?

Amygdala

Hypothalamus

Hippocampus

Pineal gland (correct)

What connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

Corpus callosum Signup and view all the answers

Which hemisphere of the brain is typically associated with verbal and analytical tasks?

Left hemisphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the thalamus in the brain?

To relay sensory data to specific areas of the cortex Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily involved in the formation of new memories?

Hippocampus Signup and view all the answers

The primary function of the amygdala is to manage what type of responses?

Emotional responses such as fear and anger Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a study to be generalisable?

Both internal and external validity are necessary. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sampling involves selecting a small group that accurately represents a larger population?

Stratified random sampling Signup and view all the answers

What defines extraneous variables in an experiment?

Any variables other than the independent variable that may affect the outcome. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of probability sampling methods?

They utilize random selection to form samples. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about participant variables is true?

They can influence the outcome of the experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of psychological tests in research?

To assess mental ability or personality traits Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves a structured face-to-face conversation to gather information?

Interviews Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by categorical variables in psychological research?

Variables that represent unique groups or categories Signup and view all the answers

What role does a theory play in psychological research?

It guides the development of a hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of physiological recording?

Measuring heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What symptom may indicate damage to the occipital lobe?

Loss of sight Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of standardized procedures in psychological research?

To eliminate variation in study conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to affect the likelihood of remembering dreams?

Type of sleep (REM vs NREM) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of examining archival records in psychological research?

To analyze existing data for patterns or insights Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of continuous variables?

They can assume any value within a range Signup and view all the answers

During REM sleep, which of the following occurs?

Eyes move rapidly for short bursts Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of NREM dreams?

Shorter duration and less intensity Signup and view all the answers

What defines a research method in the context of scientific study?

The specific way of conducting a study Signup and view all the answers

In the context of dreams, what role does cultural background play?

It influences social rules and fears represented in dreams. Signup and view all the answers

What does reliability in research refer to?

The consistency of measuring responses Signup and view all the answers

What typical cycle characterizes the transition between REM and NREM sleep?

90 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis in scientific research?

A tentative, testable prediction Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes low dream recallers from high dream recallers?

Their wake-up speed and electrical activity shifts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Biological Bases of Behaviour

The cerebral cortex consists of four lobes: frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal, each with distinct functions.
The primary motor cortex, located in the frontal lobe, controls voluntary movements and correlates nerve density with motor control over body areas.
Symptoms from brain-damaged patients provide insights into affected brain areas.
Key brain components include:
- Cerebrum: Most visible part responsible for higher functions.
- Cerebral cortex: Outer layer for conscious thought.
- Corpus callosum: Connects left and right hemispheres.
- Cerebellum: Coordinates balance and movement.
- Brain stem: Regulates vital functions (heartbeat, breathing).
- Thalamus: Routes sensory information to cortex.
- Hypothalamus: Regulates temperature, appetite, thirst.
- Pineal gland: Controls sleep-wake cycles via melatonin.
- Hippocampus: Involved in memory formation and navigation.
- Amygdala: Processes emotions such as fear and anger.
The left hemisphere is linked to verbal and analytical tasks; the right hemisphere is connected to creativity, artistic abilities, and emotional recognition.
Brain damage symptoms can indicate specific area impairment (e.g., loss of sight = occipital lobe damage).

Sleep

Average individuals dream five times a night but often forget 95% of dreams.
Dream recall varies; low dream recallers wake slower and exhibit more electrical shifts upon waking.
Dreams occur throughout the night, predominantly in REM (90% of dreaming).
Sleep cycles alternate between REM and NREM every 90 minutes, with increased REM duration as the night progresses.
REM sleep features high brain activity, fluctuating heart rates, relaxed muscles, and vivid dreams, often more memorable.
NREM sleep has regular brainwaves and less intense, brief dreams resembling waking thoughts, with increased likelihood in anxious individuals.
Dream content is influenced by cultural background and recent experiences.

Research Methods of Psychology

Scientific methods involve systematic observations, experiments, and analyses to study phenomena.
Research methods aim to obtain accurate and reliable data.
The scientific method encompasses structured research planning, conducting, and reporting.
Hypotheses serve as testable predictions regarding variable relationships.
Various data collection methods include:
- Direct Observation: Monitoring participant behavior with tools like stopwatches.
- Surveys: Distributing written questionnaires to gauge attitudes and behaviors.
- Interviews: Conducting face-to-face discussions for deeper insights.
- Psychological Tests: Administering standardized assessments, like IQ tests.
- Physiological Recordings: Using instruments to measure biological responses.
- Examination of Archival Records: Analyzing pre-existing data from institutions.
Psychological research follows theories that inform hypotheses about variable relationships.
Variables can be continuous (measure of degrees) or categorical (distinct categories).
Standardized procedures ensure consistency for participants.
Validity in studies must cover internal (design) and external (real-world applicability) aspects.

Key Research Concepts

Independent variables are manipulated to observe effects on dependent variables.
Extraneous variables may interfere with results and must be controlled.
Participant variables relate to individual traits that may bias findings.
Sampling methods include:
- Probability Sampling: Uses random selection, enhancing representativeness.
- Non-Probability Sampling: Includes convenience and purposive sampling, often less generalized.
Sampling errors occur when smaller groups fail to represent the broader population accurately.

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Description

This quiz covers the biological bases of behavior with a focus on the brain's lobes and their functions, as well as sleep and relevant case studies. Students will also review research methods in psychology. Prepare to test your knowledge on these fundamental concepts.