Compare and contrast the following: MRIs, PET scans and fMRI
What will be an ideal response?
The MRI measures variations in magnetic fields. It then computes and depicts cross sections of organs such as
the brain with great clarity. It is noninvasive and allows for visualization of all but the tiniest brain structures. Its
major problem is the claustrophobic reaction some people have to the procedure. PET scans track substances as
they are metabolized by the brain. They can show how the brain is functioning. They can help identify areas that
aren't functioning normally that might not be obvious anatomically. Their major problem is low-fidelity pictures
which have so far limited their value. The fMRI measures changes in blood flow in the brain. It is possible to
map ongoing psychological activity and show which areas of the brain are involved in different activities.
However, like MRIs these are very sensitive to movement, which can cause false results. Also fMRIs are often
very hard to interpret.
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As a car approaches you, you do not perceive it as growing larger, even though its image on your retina increases. What do we call this phenomenon?
a. Accommodation b. Convergence c. Shape constancy d. Size constancy
Sigmund Freud advocated the use of cocaine for __________
a. depression b. drug addiction c. schizophrenia d. depression and drug addiction
The relatively stable tendencies of individuals are called __________.
A. traits B. dispositions C. behaviors D. cognitions
Mild to moderate parent–child conflict during adolescence ________
A) is associated with a rise in antisocial behavior, particularly for older adolescents B) often escalates into intense disagreements and a sharp rise in sibling rivalry C) informs parents of teenagers’ changing needs, signaling a need for adjustments in the relationship D) interferes with adolescent autonomy and identity development and predicts long-term adjustment problems