CLEP Psychology

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter is primarily targeted by SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) to regulate mood?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

GABA

Question 2

The gate-control theory of pain proposes that pain signals can be inhibited by:

Accepted Answer

Activation of large-diameter nerve fibers

Answer

Decreased serotonin levels

Answer

Activation of the amygdala

Answer

Inhibition of endorphins

Question 3

REM sleep is best characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Vivid dreaming and temporary muscle atonia

Answer

Slow rolling eye movements and delta waves

Answer

The lowest arousal threshold of all sleep stages

Answer

Dominance of sleep spindles and K-complexes

Question 4

Neuroplasticity refers to:

Accepted Answer

The brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life

Answer

The genetic determination of brain structure at birth

Answer

The rigid, fixed nature of neural pathways after early childhood

Answer

The flexibility of myelin sheaths around axons

Question 5

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer

Somatic nervous system

Answer

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer

Central nervous system

Question 6

The all-or-none principle of neural firing states that:

Accepted Answer

A neuron fires at full intensity once threshold is reached, or does not fire at all

Answer

All neurons in a network fire simultaneously or none fire

Answer

A neuron requires all neurotransmitters to be present before firing

Answer

Action potentials vary in strength based on stimulus intensity

Question 7

Which lobe of the cerebral cortex is primarily responsible for processing visual information?

Accepted Answer

Occipital lobe

Answer

Frontal lobe

Answer

Parietal lobe

Answer

Temporal lobe