Study Guide: Sensation, Perception, and Biological Bases of Behavior

Exam Structure & Study Tips

Overview of Exam Format

This section outlines the structure and expectations for the upcoming psychology exam, focusing on chapters 3 and 4.

• Exam Content: Chapters 3 & 4, including multiple choice and short answer questions.

• Question Types: Approximately 22-26 multiple choice questions and 2-3 short answer questions.

• Exam Conditions: Closed book; no notes, electronics, or dictionaries allowed.

• Time Limit: 50 minutes.

• Materials: Bring a pencil, eraser, and pen. Scantron sheets required for multiple choice.

• Short Answer: Draw from both lecture and textbook material; provide examples and comparisons.

Study Tips

• Combine notes from lectures, PowerPoint slides, and textbook for comprehensive understanding.

• Re-reading notes and textbook increases confidence and retention.

• Conceptual understanding is key; memorize examples and applications.

• Focus on application, reasoning, and avoiding rote memorization.

All material discussed in text, lecture, in-class activities, and discussions are examinable unless otherwise specified.

Biological Bases of Behavior

The Neuron (Text & Lecture)

Neurons are the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, responsible for receiving sensory input and transmitting information throughout the body.

• Structure & Function: Identify different neuron structures and their functions.

• Signal Transmission: Understand the steps for an action potential to occur, including:

  • Resting potential

  • Threshold

  • Rising phase

  • Falling phase

  • Refractory period

  • IPSP (Inhibitory Post-Synaptic Potential)

  • EPSP (Excitatory Post-Synaptic Potential)

• Neurotransmitters: Know major neurotransmitters and their basic functions.

• Synapse: Describe what happens during synaptic transmission and how the presynaptic neuron regulates neurotransmitter release.

• Myelin Sheath: Explain the importance of myelin in speeding up neural transmission.

Neural Plasticity (Text Only)

Neural plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt as a result of experience.

• Definition: The capacity for neurons and neural networks in the brain to change connections and behavior in response to new information.

• Applications: Learning, memory, and recovery from brain injury.

The Nervous System (Text & Lecture)

The nervous system is divided into the peripheral and central nervous systems, each with distinct structures and functions.

• Peripheral Nervous System: Identify major divisions and their functions.

• Cranial Nerves: Know the role and importance of cranial nerves.

• Brain Structures: Identify major brain structures, including:

  • Midbrain

  • Hindbrain

  • Forebrain

  • Motor and sensory cortices

  • Broca's and Wernicke's areas

• Application: Predict effects of damage to specific brain areas.

Endocrine System (Text Only)

The endocrine system consists of glands that secrete hormones, which regulate various bodily functions.

• Neurotransmitters vs. Hormones: Distinguish between the two.

• Hormone Functions: Know basic functions, e.g., testosterone's role in sex drive in males.

Brain Mapping Methods (Text Only)

Brain mapping techniques are used to visualize and understand brain structure and function.

• Techniques: EEG, CT, MRI, fMRI, PET, MEG.

• Comparison: Differentiate between techniques and understand their main functions.

• Misinterpretation: Recognize how findings can be misinterpreted.

Genetics, Environment, and Behavior

Epigenetics & Gene x Environment Interactions (Lecture Only)

Epigenetics studies how environmental factors can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequence.

• Epigenetics: Explain major findings and misconceptions.

• Gene x Environment: Describe key interactions and studies (e.g., depression study).

• Comparison: Compare and contrast epigenetics and gene x environment concepts.

Sensation & Perception

Overview (Text & Lecture)

Sensation and perception are processes by which we receive and interpret information from the environment.

• Sensation: The process of detecting physical energy from the environment and encoding it as neural signals.

• Perception: The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.

• Transduction & Adaptation: Define and differentiate these processes.

• Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Processing: Understand and compare these approaches.

Vision (Text & Lecture)

Vision is the sense that allows us to perceive light, color, and spatial relationships.

• Anatomy of the Eye: Recognize and describe major structures.

• Path of Light: Trace the path from the visual cortex to the retina.

• Retina: Describe its structure, including rods and cones.

• Visual Cortex: Explain the role of feature detectors (Hubel & Wiesel's research).

• Depth Perception: Compare monocular and binocular cues.

• Perceptual Constancy: Understand constancy in shape, color, and size.

Hearing: The Auditory System (Text Only)

The auditory system enables us to detect and interpret sound waves.

• Structure: Identify major components of the auditory system.

• Function: Explain how sound is transduced and processed.

Body Senses: Touch, Body Position & Balance (Text & Lecture)

Body senses provide information about touch, pain, body position, and balance.

• Types of Body Senses: Describe touch, proprioception (body position), and balance.

• Pain Perception: Define pain and describe pain receptors.

• Gate Control Theory: Contrast traditional and gate control theories of pain.

• Pain Expression: Discuss functions and expression of pain.

Table: Brain Imaging Techniques Comparison

This table summarizes the main brain imaging techniques, their functions, and limitations.

Technique	Main Function	Limitations
EEG	Measures electrical activity in the brain	Poor spatial resolution
CT	Provides structural images of the brain	Limited detail compared to MRI
MRI	High-resolution structural images	Cannot measure brain activity directly
fMRI	Measures brain activity via blood flow	Expensive, limited temporal resolution
PET	Measures metabolic activity	Involves radioactive tracers
MEG	Measures magnetic fields from neural activity	High cost, complex setup

Key Terms & Definitions

• Action Potential: A brief electrical charge that travels down the axon of a neuron.

• Neurotransmitter: Chemical messenger that transmits signals across a synapse.

• Plasticity: The brain's ability to change and adapt.

• Transduction: Conversion of physical energy into neural signals.

• Perceptual Constancy: Perceiving objects as unchanging despite changes in sensory input.

• Gate Control Theory: Theory that the spinal cord contains a "gate" that can block pain signals.

Formulas & Equations

• Action Potential: $V = V_{rest} + (I_{Na} - I_{K})$ Where $V$ is membrane potential, $I_{Na}$ is sodium current, $I_{K}$ is potassium current.

• Signal Detection Theory: $d' = Z( ext{hit rate}) - Z( ext{false alarm rate})$ Where $d'$ is sensitivity index, $Z$ is the z-score transformation.

Examples & Applications

• Example: Damage to Broca's area results in impaired speech production.

• Application: fMRI is used to study brain activity during cognitive tasks.

• Example: Gate control theory explains why rubbing a sore area can reduce pain sensation.