Question 1

Which of the following statements about hypnosis is true?

Accepted Answer

Hypnosis has been used successfully in anesthetizing women during childbirth. This has been shown in several studies where hypnosis was used to reduce pain and anxiety during labor and delivery. However, it is important to note that hypnosis cannot be used to make someone do something against their will and there is limited evidence to support the use of hypnosis for age-regression or increasing accuracy of memory.

Question 2

According to the activation-synthesis theory of dreaming, the source of a dream is neuronal firing in the:

Accepted Answer

The activation-synthesis theory of dreaming posits that dreams originate from neuronal firing in the brainstem, specifically in the pons. This area of the brain is involved in regulating REM sleep, during which most dreaming occurs.

Question 3

The activation-synthesis theory of dreaming states that:

Accepted Answer

The activation-synthesis theory of dreaming proposes that dreams are the result of random signals from the brainstem that the cortex tries to make sense of. This theory suggests that there is no purpose or meaning to dreams, but rather they are a byproduct of the brain's neural processes during sleep.

Question 4

One of the weaknesses of the problem-focused theory of dreaming is that:

Accepted Answer

Some theorists doubt that dreams can effectively resolve ongoing concerns, which is a key aspect of the problem-focused theory.

Question 5

During his lecture on dream theories, Professor Grant points out that some theorists are skeptical about the ability to resolve concerns during sleep. Which theory's weakness is Professor Grant talking about in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The problem-focused theory suggests that dreams allow individuals to solve problems and concerns that were not resolved during waking hours. Professor Grant's statement suggests that some theorists are skeptical about this ability, which is a weakness in the problem-focused theory.

Question 6

Research suggests that we typically forget our dreams upon waking because:

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the reason we typically forget our dreams upon waking is that the cortical neurons responsible for the initial storage of new memories are turned off during sleep. Therefore, our brains do not have the opportunity to encode and store the content of our dreams in long-term memory.

Question 7

The dissociation theory of hypnosis was proposed by:

Accepted Answer

The dissociation theory of hypnosis was proposed by Ernest Hilgard, who was a prominent psychologist and researcher in the field of hypnosis.

Question 8

According to the cognitive approach, our dreaming thoughts are more unfocused and diffuse than our waking thoughts because:

Accepted Answer

The cognitive approach views dreams as a continuation of waking thoughts and experiences, but with less external sensory input. During REM sleep, our bodies are paralyzed and we do not receive feedback from our physical environment, which can lead to unfocused and diffuse thoughts in dreams. The brain is actually quite active during dreams, as seen in EEG readings, and dreams often have symbolic meanings related to the dreamer's life experiences and concerns.

Question 9

A "hidden observer" is:

Accepted Answer

A "hidden observer" is a term used in hypnosis to describe a part of a person's mind that watches but does not participate in the hypnosis session. This term was coined by Ernest Hilgard, who believed that a person's mind could be divided into different levels of consciousness. The hidden observer is thought to be a protective mechanism that allows a person to remain aware of their surroundings and maintains control over their actions, even while hypnotized.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about hypnosis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Hypnosis has been found to be effective in managing pain and anxiety during childbirth. However, hypnosis does not enable people to relive memories from infancy and early childhood, reduce errors in memory or prove that memories are accurately stored in the brain.

Question 11

The activation-synthesis theory proposes that:

Accepted Answer

The activation-synthesis theory proposes that random neural activity in the brain during sleep is interpreted by the cortex, which tries to make sense of this activity by creating dream narratives.

Question 12

In his dream, Andy is an infant crawling through a dark tunnel looking for something he has lost. Which theory would be most receptive to an explanation that, while Andy was sleeping, neurons in his pons that stimulate leg-muscle movement were active?

Accepted Answer

The activation-synthesis theory suggests that dreams result from the brain's attempt to make sense of neural activity that occurs during REM sleep, which includes activation of the pons that stimulates leg-muscle movement.

Question 13

The theory that currently seems to be the leading contender in explaining dreaming is the:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The theory that currently seems to be...

Question 14

Which approach to dreaming suggests that our dreams are simply a modification of the thinking that goes on when we are awake?

Accepted Answer

The cognitive approach suggests that dreams are a modification of the thinking that goes on when we are awake, including memories, emotions, and knowledge. This perspective focuses on the processing of information during dreaming and how it can be used to understand thought processes and problem-solving.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true of hypnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hypnosis is a procedure in which a practitioner suggests changes in the sensation or behavior of the subject, who cooperates by altering cognitive functioning in accordance with the suggestions. While hypnosis may enhance recall, it does not necessarily increase overall accuracy and age regression and literal reexperiencing of long-ago events are controversial topics in the field of hypnosis.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about hypnosis?

Accepted Answer

Hypnotized people can still resist suggestions that go against their moral or ethical beliefs or desires, as they are still in control of their own actions and thoughts.

Question 17

Ernest Hilgard argued that hypnosis involves:

Accepted Answer

Ernest Hilgard's theory of hypnosis suggests that it involves a dissociation or split in consciousness, where one part of the mind is responsive to suggestions while another part is able to observe and monitor the hypnotic experience.

Question 18

Which approach to explaining dreams is best supported by the fact that students who are worried about getting a good grade in a class often have recurring dreams of running out of time on exams, oversleeping and missing class, or suddenly realizing that a paper deadline was just missed?

Accepted Answer

The fact that students who are worried about their grades often have recurring dreams related to academic stress suggests a problem-focused approach to explaining dreams. This approach posits that dreams serve as a way for the brain to work through and problem-solve issues and challenges one is facing in waking life. In this case, the recurring dreams may be an expression of the students' anxiety about academic performance and a way for them to unconsciously explore potential solutions or coping strategies.

Question 19

During REM sleep, neurons that fire spontaneously are present in the:

Accepted Answer

Neurons that fire spontaneously during REM sleep are present in the pons.

Question 20

The _______________ theory of dreaming suggests that dreaming is simply a continuation of our daytime thinking.

Accepted Answer

The cognitive theory of dreaming suggests that our dreams are a continuation of our thoughts and experiences from our waking hours. It asserts that dreams are a way for our brain to process and make sense of the information we encounter during the day.

Quiz 5: Body Rhythms and Mental States