Question 1

The amygdala is located in the:

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a key structure in the limbic system, which is responsible for processing and regulating emotions, motivation, and memory.

Question 2

The amygdala sends emotional signals to:

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is involved in processing emotions and sends signals to other parts of the limbic system, the brainstem, the autonomic nervous system, and the endocrine system to coordinate emotional responses, physiological reactions, and hormonal adjustments.

Question 3

According to the facial-feedback hypothesis:

Accepted Answer

The facial-feedback hypothesis suggests that facial expressions can affect a person's emotional experience. This means that the emotions we experience are not only a reflection of our internal emotional state, but also influenced by the facial expressions we make. For example, if we force ourselves to smile, we may actually feel happier, even if we weren't feeling happy before.

Question 4

With respect to LeDoux's emotional processing pathways, fast is to slow as _____ is to _____.

Accepted Answer

amygdala; cortexLeDoux's model of emotional processing includes two pathways: a fast, low-road pathway that goes directly from the thalamus to the amygdala, and a slower, high-road pathway that involves cortical processing. The fast pathway allows for quick, albeit less precise, responses to stimuli, while the slow pathway involves more deliberate assessment and response, incorporating higher cognitive functions.

Question 5

Which statement is True?

Accepted Answer

Anger is considered one of the basic or primary emotions, along with fear, happiness, sadness, disgust, surprise, and contempt. These basic emotions are believed to be universal, meaning that they are experienced by all humans regardless of culture, age, or gender. However, the way in which these emotions are expressed and interpreted can vary across cultures. It is also important to note that some researchers believe in the existence of additional basic emotions beyond the traditional list of seven.

Question 6

Which brain structure plays a central role in fear?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala plays a central role in processing and regulating fear, as well as other emotional responses. It is responsible for activating the body's fear response and communicating with other parts of the brain to determine the appropriate response to a perceived threat.

Question 7

Basic emotions include each of these EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Guilt is not considered a basic emotion in the traditional model of emotion that includes happiness, anger, disgust, fear, sadness, and surprise.

Question 8

Strack, Martin, and Stepper (1988) did studies in which participants held a pen either in their teeth or in their lips. Participants then rated the funniness of cartoons. In this experiment, the funniness ratings were a(n) _____ variable.

Accepted Answer

The funniness of the cartoons is the outcome being measured, thus it is the dependent variable. The placement of the pen (in the teeth or in the lips) is the independent variable that is being manipulated by the experimenters. Control variables are those that are kept constant and don't vary across conditions, and experimental variables refer to any variable that is manipulated or measured in an experiment.

Question 9

Which statement is False?

Accepted Answer

Shame is not considered a basic emotion; basic emotions are typically those that are universally recognized and include happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust.

Question 10

LeDoux proposed direct and indirect emotional processing pathways beginning in the thalamus. Earlier in the history of psychology, the _____ theory similarly proposed that the emotional processing pathway splits at the thalamus.

Accepted Answer

The Cannon-Bard theory proposed that the emotional processing pathway splits at the thalamus and emotions are experienced simultaneously with physiological arousal. LeDoux's theory is similar in that it proposes separate direct and indirect pathways from the thalamus, but it does not address simultaneous experience of emotion and physiological arousal. The James-Lange theory proposes that physiological responses to stimuli precede emotional experiences, while the Schachter-Singer theory proposes that emotions are the result of a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of the situation. The cognitive appraisal theory emphasizes the role of evaluation and interpretation of a situation in the experience of emotion.

Question 11

Basic emotions are those that are:

Accepted Answer

Basic emotions refer to the innate and universal set of emotions that are biologically organized in the human brain. These emotions are believed to be present at birth and include anger, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise, and disgust.

Question 12

While participants view threatening images, a researcher uses fMRI to create images of their brains' metabolic activity. The researcher should find heightened activation in the:

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear and aggression. Therefore, when participants view threatening images, the amygdala should exhibit heightened activity.

Question 13

In one study, Ekman et al. (1987) secretly videotaped American and Japanese students as they watched repulsive film clips. In one condition, a researcher was present while the students watched the clips; in another condition, no researcher was present. In this experiment, the researcher's presence was a(n) _____ variable.

Accepted Answer

The researcher's presence is being manipulated in this experiment, meaning it is the independent variable.

Question 14

The textbook's discussion of the biology of fear suggests that the extent of a memory's detail is _____ associated with its emotionality.

Accepted Answer

The textbook states that emotionally charged memories "are more vividly remembered and evoke a stronger emotional response upon recall." Therefore, the extent of a memory's detail is positively associated with its emotionality.

Question 15

Stress hormones are released by the _____ gland(s).

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland is responsible for releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism and energy levels, the pancreatic gland secretes digestive enzymes and insulin, and the pineal gland secretes melatonin to regulate sleep-wake cycles.

Question 16

In response to a threatening stimulus, blood pressure increases, pupils dilate, and digestion stops. These responses reflect activation of the _____ nervous system.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which is triggered in response to a threat or stressor. This response includes increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, and decreased digestion, among other physiological changes. The somatic nervous system is responsible for conscious motor movements, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord.

Question 17

An increased heart rate accompanies the emotion(s) of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of An increased heart rate accompanies the emotion(s)...

Question 18

When an emotional stimulus is encountered, the amygdala alerts the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system via connections with the _____ and the _____.

Accepted Answer

The medulla and hypothalamus are both involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system. The medulla plays a role in the control of heart rate and respiration, and the hypothalamus plays a key role in the regulation of hormone release from the pituitary gland. Therefore, when emotional stimuli are encountered, the amygdala alerts both of these regions to activate the appropriate physiological responses.

Question 19

The facial-feedback hypothesis is reminiscent of the _____ theory of emotion in that it suggests that the feeling of an emotion follows the body's behavior.

Accepted Answer

The facial-feedback hypothesis suggests that the body's behavior (specifically, facial expressions) triggers the feeling of an emotion. This is similar to the James-Lange theory, which proposes that bodily responses precede the cognitive recognition of an emotion. Both theories suggest that physical sensations are integral to the experience of emotions.

Question 20

A garden snake slithers past Shayla's feet as she walks to her driveway. Shayla startles, momentarily frightened. A spike of activity is probably occurring in the _____ in Shayla's brain.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for processing fear and other emotions, so it is likely responsible for the spike of activity Shayla experiences when startled by the garden snake. The hippocampus is involved in memory formation, the medulla controls basic life-sustaining functions, and the cerebellum is involved in motor control and coordination.

Quiz 9: Human Development