PSYCH 255 QUIZ 5 PRACTICE SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⫸ Experimental psychology Answer: The study of behavior and
thinking using the experimental method. Could be accuracy, reaction
time, etc
Example: Posner Paradigm- attention task. Cue tells where to direct
attention, target appears, we have to respond to target.
⫸ History of psychology Answer: Early 1800's: mind cannot study itself
Later 1800's: mind CAN study itself
early 1900's: Cannot study the mind (Behaviorism)
Mid 1900s: we can study the mind! first psych textbooks
⫸ Later 1800's: mind CAN study itself (main psychologists) Answer:
Donders: reaction time of decision making
Ebbinghaus: time course of forgetting
Wundt: analytic introspection
,⫸ early 1900's: Cannot study the mind (Behaviorism) Answer: Watson
(behaviorism, little Albert) analytic introspection too subjective/variable
⫸ Ways to study neurons/the brain Answer: Single cell recording
MRI
fMRI
ERP
EEG
⫸ Neuron anatomy Answer: Cell body, or SOMA, inside of which is
the NUCLEUS.
Surrounding the cell body are many thin branches called DENDRITES
that receive signals from other neurons.
Extending from the body of the neuron is a long wire called the AXON
along which an action potential travels, reaching the axon terminal
where it can be sent into the synapse for another neuron's dendrites to
take up.
, ⫸ Action potential steps Answer: 1. Resting potential
2. Depolarization (sodium)
3. Repolarization (potassium channels)
4. Hyperpolarization
5. Refractory period (absolute and relative)
⫸ 1. Resting potential Answer: Neuron at resting potential maintained
by sodium potassium pump. Depolarizing stimulus causes voltage gated
Na+ channels to open up as axon hillock depolarizes.
⫸ 2. Depolarization Answer: As voltage gated Na+ channels open, Na+
floods into neuron, further depolarizing and generating an action
potential. Potassium channels remain closed.
⫸ 3. Repolarization Answer: Voltage gated K+ channels open and K+
leaves the cell (concentration gradient).Na+ channels refract (become
inactive)
⫸ 4. Hyperpolarization Answer: As K+ leaves cell, the axon membrane
repolarizes and eventually becomes hyperpolarized
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⫸ Experimental psychology Answer: The study of behavior and
thinking using the experimental method. Could be accuracy, reaction
time, etc
Example: Posner Paradigm- attention task. Cue tells where to direct
attention, target appears, we have to respond to target.
⫸ History of psychology Answer: Early 1800's: mind cannot study itself
Later 1800's: mind CAN study itself
early 1900's: Cannot study the mind (Behaviorism)
Mid 1900s: we can study the mind! first psych textbooks
⫸ Later 1800's: mind CAN study itself (main psychologists) Answer:
Donders: reaction time of decision making
Ebbinghaus: time course of forgetting
Wundt: analytic introspection
,⫸ early 1900's: Cannot study the mind (Behaviorism) Answer: Watson
(behaviorism, little Albert) analytic introspection too subjective/variable
⫸ Ways to study neurons/the brain Answer: Single cell recording
MRI
fMRI
ERP
EEG
⫸ Neuron anatomy Answer: Cell body, or SOMA, inside of which is
the NUCLEUS.
Surrounding the cell body are many thin branches called DENDRITES
that receive signals from other neurons.
Extending from the body of the neuron is a long wire called the AXON
along which an action potential travels, reaching the axon terminal
where it can be sent into the synapse for another neuron's dendrites to
take up.
, ⫸ Action potential steps Answer: 1. Resting potential
2. Depolarization (sodium)
3. Repolarization (potassium channels)
4. Hyperpolarization
5. Refractory period (absolute and relative)
⫸ 1. Resting potential Answer: Neuron at resting potential maintained
by sodium potassium pump. Depolarizing stimulus causes voltage gated
Na+ channels to open up as axon hillock depolarizes.
⫸ 2. Depolarization Answer: As voltage gated Na+ channels open, Na+
floods into neuron, further depolarizing and generating an action
potential. Potassium channels remain closed.
⫸ 3. Repolarization Answer: Voltage gated K+ channels open and K+
leaves the cell (concentration gradient).Na+ channels refract (become
inactive)
⫸ 4. Hyperpolarization Answer: As K+ leaves cell, the axon membrane
repolarizes and eventually becomes hyperpolarized
