GRE Subject Test: Psychology : Physiological & Behavioral Neuroscience

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Psychology

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All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources

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Example Questions

Example Question #73 : Experimental

Atypical antipsychotic medications block dopamine and which other neurotransmitter receptors?

Possible Answers:

Melatonin

Seratonin

Epinephrine

GABA

Acetylcholine

Correct answer:

Seratonin

Explanation:

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 #74 : Experimental

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are utilized to primarily treat which mental health disorder?

Possible Answers:

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Depression

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Correct answer:

Depression

Explanation:

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 #1 : Hormonal Factors

Which of the following areas in the brain is not a part of the endocrine system?

Possible Answers:

Pineal Gland

Pituitary Gland

Thyroid

Pons

Hypothalamus

Correct answer:

Pons

Explanation:

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 #2 : Hormonal Factors

Numerous experimental studies on prairie voles has found that which of the following neurotransmitters affect monogamy?

Possible Answers:

Vasopressin and oxytocin

Epinephrine and nonepinephrine

Dopamine and seratonin

Estrogen and testosterone 

Dopamine and testosterone

Correct answer:

Vasopressin and oxytocin

Explanation:

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 #3 : Hormonal Factors

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?

Possible Answers:

Dopamine

Acetylcholine

Epinephrine

Estrogen

Neostigmine

Correct answer:

Epinephrine

Explanation:

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 #4 : Hormonal Factors

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?

Possible Answers:

Epinephrine

Norepinephrine

Acetylcholine

Dopamine

None of these

Correct answer:

Acetylcholine

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Beta 4-8 hertz and alpha 13-30 hertz

Alpha 13-30 hertz and alpha 8-13 hertz

Theta 4-8 hertz and beta 13-30 hertz

None of these

Beta 13-30 hertz and alpha 8-13 hertz

Correct answer:

Beta 13-30 hertz and alpha 8-13 hertz

Explanation:

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 #1 : States Of Consciousness

Insomnia is best defined as which of the following?

Possible Answers:

The inability to breathe while sleeping

An excess of sleep

Disorder marked by constant sleep spindles

The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep

The ability to fall asleep at inopportune times

Correct answer:

The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep

Explanation:

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 #2 : 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?

Possible Answers:

NREM1

NREM3

All of these

REM

NREM2

Correct answer:

REM

Explanation:

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 #3 : 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?

Possible Answers:

NREM2

None of these

NREM1

NREM3

REM

Correct answer:

NREM1

Explanation:

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.

All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources

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