(Psychological, Social, and Biological) Flashcards

During REM sleep, the brain exhibits which of the following EEG patterns?

Answer: Low-amplitude, high-frequency waves similar to waking

REM sleep shows desynchronized, low-amplitude, high-frequency EEG activity resembling an awake brain, along with rapid eye movements and muscle atonia.

A physician notices that patients from collectivist cultures tend to describe illness in terms of family and community impact rather than personal symptoms. This reflects which concept?

Answer: Individualism versus collectivism

Individualism-collectivism is a cultural dimension describing the extent to which people define themselves through personal versus group identity, influencing health perceptions and communication.

Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to another person?

Answer: Projection

Projection is a Freudian defense mechanism in which a person unconsciously attributes their own unwanted impulses or feelings to someone else.

Sensory adaptation is best illustrated by which of the following examples?

Answer: No longer noticing the smell of a bakery after being inside for 20 minutes

Sensory adaptation refers to the diminished sensitivity to a constant stimulus over time, as receptor firing decreases with prolonged exposure.

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'stigma' as it relates to mental illness, according to sociological perspectives?

Answer: A mark of disgrace that sets a person apart and leads to social discrimination

Goffman defined stigma as a deeply discrediting attribute that reduces a person from a 'whole' person to a 'tainted' or 'discounted' one, resulting in social exclusion and discrimination.

The blood-brain barrier is primarily formed by:

Answer: Tight junctions between cerebral endothelial cells, supported by astrocytes

The blood-brain barrier consists of tight junctions between endothelial cells lining brain capillaries, with astrocytic endfeet providing additional support and regulation.

A researcher finds that as ice cream sales increase, drowning rates also increase. The most likely explanation is:

Answer: Both variables increase in summer, making temperature a confounding variable

This is a classic example of a spurious correlation driven by a confounding variable (season/temperature) that independently increases both ice cream consumption and swimming-related drowning.