Chapter 2: Biological Bases of Behavior
What part of the neuron sends messages away from the cell body?
Axon
What are rods responsible for?
Brightness and low-light vision
What is consciousness?
Awareness of oneself and surroundings
Who studied classical conditioning with dogs?
Ivan Pavlov
What is the typical capacity of short-term memory?
About 7 ± 2 items
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
CNS and PNS
What is the difference between sensation and perception?
Sensation = detecting stimuli; Perception = interpreting meaning
Which sleep stage includes vivid dreaming?
REM sleep
Learning through consequences is called what?
Operant conditioning
Which type of encoding leads to the strongest memory?
Semantic encoding
Which system prepares the body for “fight or flight”?
Sympathetic nervous system
What is sensory adaptation?
Reduced sensitivity to constant stimulation
What is the body’s 24-hour sleep-wake cycle called?
Circadian rhythm
What is observational learning?
Learning by watching others (modeling)
What are the three processes of memory?
Encoding, storage, retrieval
What is neuroplasticity?
The brain’s ability to change structure and function through learning and experience
Name one Gestalt principle of perception.
Proximity, similarity, closure, continuity
Name one theory explaining why we sleep.
Adaptive theory or Restorative theory
What type of reinforcement removes something unpleasant to increase behavior?
Negative reinforcement
What is proactive interference?
Old information interfering with new learning
Explain one major difference between the nervous system and endocrine system.
Nervous = fast electrical signals; Endocrine = slower chemical hormones with longer effects
What is perceptual constancy and give one example.
Perceiving objects as stable despite changes; example = size constancy
What is the difference between physical dependence and psychological dependence on drugs?
Physical = body withdrawal; Psychological = belief you need it
Explain the difference between extinction and spontaneous recovery.
Extinction = response weakens; spontaneous recovery = response returns after time
What is the misinformation effect and who studied it?
False info changes memory; Elizabeth Loftus