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Psyc 387 Exam 2: Psychology (NEW 2026/2027)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - GRADED A
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing historical perspectives in neuroscience with a student.
Phrenologists believed which of the following about brain function?
A. Mental functions arise from fluid dynamics in the ventricles.
B. Personality traits correlate with the size and shape of specific brain areas
beneath the skull.
C. Brain function is entirely holistic, with all parts working equally for every
task.
D. The brain's electrical activity, not its structure, determines personality.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Phrenologists incorrectly believed that specific personality traits and mental
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faculties were localized to distinct brain areas and that the size of these areas
(reflected by skull shape) determined their strength.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient who suffered damage to the ventromedial
prefrontal cortex. The nurse understands this injury is most associated with
impairments in which of the following, based on historical cases like Phineas
Gage?
A. Sensory perception and basic motor control.
B. Language production and comprehension.
C. Executive function, emotional regulation, and decision-making.
D. Long-term memory consolidation.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
The case of Phineas Gage demonstrated that damage to the prefrontal
cortex, particularly ventromedial areas, can profoundly alter personality,
impair judgment, decision-making, and emotional regulation, while leaving
basic cognitive and motor functions intact.
Psyc 387 Exam 2: Psychology (NEW 2026/2027)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - GRADED A
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing historical perspectives in neuroscience with a student.
Phrenologists believed which of the following about brain function?
A. Mental functions arise from fluid dynamics in the ventricles.
B. Personality traits correlate with the size and shape of specific brain areas
beneath the skull.
C. Brain function is entirely holistic, with all parts working equally for every
task.
D. The brain's electrical activity, not its structure, determines personality.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Phrenologists incorrectly believed that specific personality traits and mental
, 2|Page
faculties were localized to distinct brain areas and that the size of these areas
(reflected by skull shape) determined their strength.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a patient who suffered damage to the ventromedial
prefrontal cortex. The nurse understands this injury is most associated with
impairments in which of the following, based on historical cases like Phineas
Gage?
A. Sensory perception and basic motor control.
B. Language production and comprehension.
C. Executive function, emotional regulation, and decision-making.
D. Long-term memory consolidation.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
The case of Phineas Gage demonstrated that damage to the prefrontal
cortex, particularly ventromedial areas, can profoundly alter personality,
impair judgment, decision-making, and emotional regulation, while leaving
basic cognitive and motor functions intact.
