All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Physiological & Behavioral Neuroscience
Atypical antipsychotic medications block dopamine and which other neurotransmitter receptors?
Epinephrine
Melatonin
Acetylcholine
Seratonin
GABA
Seratonin
Remember that typical antipsychotics refer to the first generation of antipsychotics, while atypical antipsychotics refer to the second generation of antipsychotics. Both typical and atypical antipsychotics block dopamine pathways, but many atypical antipsychotics also block seratonin pathways. The other listed neurotransmitters are not associated with psychosis.
Example Question #1 : Neuromodulators & Drugs
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are utilized to primarily treat which mental health disorder?
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Depression
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Depression
While SSRIs can be utilized to treat multiple disorders, it is primarily used in the treatment of depression. Depression is thought to be caused by low serotonin release, and SSRIs prevent the re-uptake and subsequent breakdown of serotonin. Antisocial Personality Disorder, previously known as Psychopathy, has no known treatment though group therapy can be utilized. ADHD is primarily treated with methylphenidates (ex. Ritalin) or amphetamines (ex. Adderall). BPD is treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Example Question #73 : Experimental
Which of the following areas in the brain is not a part of the endocrine system?
Thyroid
Hypothalamus
Pons
Pineal Gland
Pituitary Gland
Pons
While each of the other options is involved in the release and/or inhibition of hormones (including the hypothalamus, which produces hormones that direct the rest of the endocrine system), the pons function as a relayer of messages from the cortex and the cerebellum.
Example Question #74 : Experimental
Numerous experimental studies on prairie voles has found that which of the following neurotransmitters affect monogamy?
Epinephrine and nonepinephrine
Estrogen and testosterone
Vasopressin and oxytocin
Dopamine and testosterone
Dopamine and seratonin
Vasopressin and oxytocin
Oxytocin and vasopressin receptors are more prevalent in prairie voles who have a pair-bond than in those who've yet to mate, indicating higher releases of those two neurotransmitters in monogamous prairie voles--prairie voles which are considered promiscuous, when does with both of these neurotransmitters, become monogamous.
Example Question #73 : Experimental
A 19 year old female is walking home from her friends apartment when a dog beings to follow her. The girl becomes very nervous and begins to run. Which of the following neurotransmitters is responsible for her feelings of fear?
Estrogen
Neostigmine
Acetylcholine
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Epinephrine
This scenario is an example of a fight or flight response. Epinephrine is the only hormone listed here that is involved in this response. Another correct answer, not listed, would be norepinephrine. The other choices are incorrect. Acetylcholine is responsible for the "rest and digest" response. Dopamine is responsible for the body's reward system. Neostigmine is a drug that acts like acetylcholine. Last, estrogen is a female sex hormone.
Example Question #81 : Experimental
A 19 year old female is walking home from her friends apartment when a dog beings to follow her. The girl is very nervous and begins to run. She makes it home and lays down on the couch. After a couple minutes she feels relaxed. Which of the following neurotransmitters is at a high level during relaxation?
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
None of these
Dopamine
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
Relaxation indicates that the body possesses a high level of acetylcholine. This is know as the "rest and digest" stage. Epinephrine and norepinephrine perform the opposite task of acetylcholine and are "fight or flight" neurotransmitters. Last, dopamine is a pleasure hormone
Example Question #82 : Experimental
Gina is in the middle of her workday, she is fully focused and alert to the new information she is reviewing on her computer screen. After a while, she sits back in her chair and takes a few deep breaths with her eyes closed to relax. What of the following pairs of brain waves and corresponding hertz best identifies what Gina's brain is producing while concentrating and while at rest?
None of these
Beta 13-30 hertz and alpha 8-13 hertz
Alpha 13-30 hertz and alpha 8-13 hertz
Theta 4-8 hertz and beta 13-30 hertz
Beta 4-8 hertz and alpha 13-30 hertz
Beta 13-30 hertz and alpha 8-13 hertz
Beta brainwaves function at 13-30 hertz and they are associated with being alert, active, or concentrated. On the other hand, alpha brainwaves function at 8-13 hertz and are associated with daydreaming and more relaxed states of mind. Alpha waves are responsible for the calming feeling that one experiences when they close their eyes and take a few deep breaths.
Example Question #83 : Experimental
Insomnia is best defined as which of the following?
The ability to fall asleep at inopportune times
Disorder marked by constant sleep spindles
An excess of sleep
The inability to breathe while sleeping
The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep
Insomnia is best defined as "the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep." It is commonly characterized by symptoms associated with having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Example Question #3 : States Of Consciousness
On a normal night, a person goes through different stages of sleep. During which stage of sleep is the largest amount acetylcholine (i.e. the "rest and digest" hormone) released?
NREM3
All of these
REM
NREM1
NREM2
REM
During REM sleep there is an increase in the amount of acetylcholine released. During all stages of NREM sleep there is minimal acetylcholine release.
Example Question #4 : States Of Consciousness
On a normal night, a person goes through different stages of sleep. During which stage of sleep does a person experience twitches, hypnic jerks and hypnagogic hallucinations?
NREM2
NREM1
NREM3
REM
None of these
NREM1
When a person is falling asleep they experience twitching, hypnic jerks and hypnagogic hallucinations. This all occurs in the first stage of sleep, NREM 1.An easy way to remember this is to think if someone wakes you up shortly after you fall asleep. You may recall a vivid hallucination but you were not yet in REM sleep, the stage of dreams.