neural plasticity is

ATI RN

Psychology 2301 Exam 1

1. Neural plasticity is ________.

A. the process by which neurotransmitters are broken down in the brain.
B. the flexibility of the brainâ€”existing neural circuits can change or new ones can be made.
C. strong evidence of brain damage, leading to the development of a mental disorder.
D. the best indicator of temperament and its effect on the personality development of a child.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Neural plasticity refers to the brain's flexibility to change existing neural circuits or create new ones. Choice A is incorrect as it describes neurotransmitter breakdown, not neural plasticity. Choice C is incorrect because neural plasticity does not necessarily indicate brain damage leading to mental disorders. Choice D is incorrect because neural plasticity is not specifically related to temperament or personality development in children.

2. Sigmund Freud developed an innovative procedure for treating people with psychological problems, which he called?

A. Behavior modification.
B. Primal therapy.
C. Psychoanalysis.
D. Rational-emotive therapy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis, not behavior modification, primal therapy, or rational-emotive therapy, as an innovative method for treating psychological problems. Psychoanalysis focuses on exploring unconscious motivations to understand and address psychological disorders, making it the correct answer. Behavior modification involves changing behavior through conditioning techniques, primal therapy emphasizes expressing repressed emotions, and rational-emotive therapy aims to identify and change irrational beliefs.

3. The understanding of genetic influences on behavior may never be fully achieved due to ________.

A. the ease of researching to differentiate between the effects of the environment and genes.
B. the likelihood that most behaviors are determined by the interaction of many genes and the environment.
C. the reliance on twin studies in genetic research.
D. our significant understanding of how genes impact brain chemistry.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because most behaviors are influenced by the interaction of multiple genes and the environment. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests that researching the effects of the environment and genes is easy, which is not the case. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on a specific method (twin studies) rather than the broader concept of gene-environment interaction. Choice D is incorrect as the statement implies a high level of understanding that contradicts the idea that genetic influences on behavior may never be fully understood.

4. Behaviors that deviate from the norm are?

A. Always seen as a disorder if they violate social norms
B. Considered a disorder regardless of culture
C. Typically seen as a disorder when they impair functioning
D. Never considered as a sign of abnormality

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Behaviors that deviate from the norm are typically considered disorders when they impair functioning. Choice A is incorrect because not all behaviors that deviate from the norm are considered disorders; they need to impair functioning. Choice B is incorrect because the cultural context plays a significant role in determining what is considered abnormal. Choice D is incorrect because behaviors that deviate from the norm can indeed be considered signs of abnormality, especially if they impair functioning.

5. One key issue in the study of human development is the continuity-discontinuity issue. The discontinuity side posits that development is characterized by change in type or kind. These are known as ____.

A. Qualitative change
B. Quantitative change
C. Maturation
D. Multidirectional development

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Qualitative change. Qualitative change aligns with the discontinuity view by involving changes in type or kind. This contrasts with quantitative change (B), which is about changes in amount or quantity. Maturation (C) refers to the process of becoming fully developed in a particular way, and multidirectional development (D) emphasizes that development involves both gains and losses, not specifically focusing on changes in type or kind.