Short Answer Questions for Exam 2 (8 points each)
1. First, describe a recent dream you remember (or borrow one from
somebody, or make one up). Which of the major dream theories best
explains your dream, in your opinion? Explain the theory itself in your own
words, including all relevant terminology.
Dream: Going through a marketplace with different exotic fruits, spices, and
trinkets while floating through the air above the crowd
The dream theory of Activation Synthesis best explains this dream. This
theory is that dreams are a result of rapid firings in the brain during REM
sleep. The brain tries to synthesize these firings into a story. To synthesize
information means to try to make sense of the information, and activation is
the neural activity that occurs in REM sleep.
2. You witness one of your friends slapping their 10 year old after they catch
the 10 year old hitting their 8 year old brother. Given what you have learned
about operant conditioning and the side effects of punishment, discuss and
analyze this situation. Discuss a better alternative. Describe it in terms of
behavior and consequence, and type of operant conditioning (positive or
negative, reinforcement or punishment).
Slapping a child as a punishment for hitting is an example of positive
punishment. While the punishment may temporarily decrease the behavior,
it will not be affective long term. Slapping a child as a punishment for hitting
models the same aggressive behavior you are trying to prevent, which may
encourage the child to act as the parent has in future situations. A better
alternative could be to positively reinforce the nonaggressive behavior when
the child behaves kindly towards their siblings. Positively reinforcing the
nonaggressive behavior will encourage the child to be kind to their sibling
more often than being aggressive.
3. Explain what mirror neurons are and the ways in which they may confer an
evolutionary advantage. Provide an example of why these neurons are
important. Include groups of people who might struggle with their mirror
neurons properly interpreting the situation.
Mirror neurons are type of brain neuron that activates when an individual
performs an action and when a person observes someone performing that
1. First, describe a recent dream you remember (or borrow one from
somebody, or make one up). Which of the major dream theories best
explains your dream, in your opinion? Explain the theory itself in your own
words, including all relevant terminology.
Dream: Going through a marketplace with different exotic fruits, spices, and
trinkets while floating through the air above the crowd
The dream theory of Activation Synthesis best explains this dream. This
theory is that dreams are a result of rapid firings in the brain during REM
sleep. The brain tries to synthesize these firings into a story. To synthesize
information means to try to make sense of the information, and activation is
the neural activity that occurs in REM sleep.
2. You witness one of your friends slapping their 10 year old after they catch
the 10 year old hitting their 8 year old brother. Given what you have learned
about operant conditioning and the side effects of punishment, discuss and
analyze this situation. Discuss a better alternative. Describe it in terms of
behavior and consequence, and type of operant conditioning (positive or
negative, reinforcement or punishment).
Slapping a child as a punishment for hitting is an example of positive
punishment. While the punishment may temporarily decrease the behavior,
it will not be affective long term. Slapping a child as a punishment for hitting
models the same aggressive behavior you are trying to prevent, which may
encourage the child to act as the parent has in future situations. A better
alternative could be to positively reinforce the nonaggressive behavior when
the child behaves kindly towards their siblings. Positively reinforcing the
nonaggressive behavior will encourage the child to be kind to their sibling
more often than being aggressive.
3. Explain what mirror neurons are and the ways in which they may confer an
evolutionary advantage. Provide an example of why these neurons are
important. Include groups of people who might struggle with their mirror
neurons properly interpreting the situation.
Mirror neurons are type of brain neuron that activates when an individual
performs an action and when a person observes someone performing that
