PS3 exam questions

here's me trying to survive ps3

Explain neuroplasticity using one example

neuroplasticity means the brain’s ability to change its structure based on external and internal influences such as lifestyle changes, injury, or learning. It utilizes dendritic branching (neurons growing new synapses in a tree-like manner, hence the name) and synaptic pruning (the brain removing unused/damaged/redundant synapses).

An example of this would be Arttu. Arttu gets a TBI (traumatic brain injury) from his guitar playing practice by hitting himself in the head with a guitar. Many neurons are damaged and Arttu loses the ability to see since the guitar hit damaged his occipital lobe. With time, some of Arttu’s vision may return from the damaged synapses being pruned away and new, functional ones replacing many of them. Other parts of Arttu’s brain may also take up the role of the damaged occipital lobe, to a degree. Neuroplasticity has been applied to adapt the brain to the damage and restore as much of the lost ability to see as possible.

Explain neurotransmission/neurotransmitters using one example

Neurotransmitters are compounds created by the brain to relay information between neurons.

Neurotransmission is the process of neurotransmitters being sent from one neuron to another. It happens in a synapse, which is a small space between neurons. A pre-synaptic neuron sends transmitters which bind to the post-synaptic neuron’s receptors. The transmitters stay there for a bit and then detach and get reuptaken.

There can be agonists or antagonists, which influence neurotransmission. The former increases production or uptake of a certain agent, like dopamine. Cocaine is an indirect agonist of dopamine, as it prevents the reuptake (absorption back to the sending neuron) of dopamine. The latter restricts the flow of an agent, like coffee, which restricts binding of adenosine, a central depressant which makes humans feel tired.

Explain the dual-process model using one example

The dual-process model states that there are two systems of processing in the brain: system 1, which is impulsive and prone to cognitive biases (systematic errors in thinking). It is based on heuristics (mental rules of thumb or “common sense”) and it’s used for easy, automatic tasks and happens without much thinking and system 2, which is more logical and rational and is used for complex tasks and decisions that have higher personal significance.
system one is faster and two is slower but more accurate

an example would be Arttu, who is typing on his keyboard without looking at it (using system 1) and thinking of what to write at the same time (using system 2).

It might be oversimplification, as emotions may affect system 2 and the line between 2 and 1 may be hard to define

Explain schema theory with one example

Schemas are mental representations that organize knowledge and guide behavior. They can be influenced by new experiences and information in two processes called assimilation and accommodation. Assimilation is the process of new information that still fits the schema challenging the original schema, and being integrated into it. Accommodation is the same process, but the new information is too different to be assimilated and a new schema is created.

an example would be young Arttu. Young Arttu is at the zoo, and sees a wolf. He has never seen any 4-legged mammal before, except for cats. He figures that the wolf cannot be a cat since the wolf acts and looks different and it is not called a cat, hence a new schema of a wolf is created through accommodation. He later hears his cat meow for the first time. This leads to his schema of cats being changed from dead-silent to sometimes a little loud. Assimilation has happened.

Explain cultural dimensions with one example

Cultural dimensions are ways of classifying certain aspects of a culture. They include femininity/masculinity, power distance index, collectivism/individualism and long/short-sightedness. I’ll explain masculinity/femininity:

masculine cultures are more competitive, achievement and goal-oriented while feminine ones are more QoL-focused, communal and nurturing.

For example, the Finnish culture is rather feminine, due to its large social safety net and other benefits, while the US has a more masculine culture of “if you don’t work, you suffer”. It’s worth noting that no culture is fully masculine or feminine, but many have traits from both sides of the spectrum.

can be overgeneralizing

Explain acculturation with one example

Acculturation is the process of adapting traits from a new culture one has been exposed to, while possibly retaining some of one’s own traits from one’s own culture. It is measured with the relation of one to one’s own culture and willingness to keep aspects of it and the level of integration into the new culture.

Acculturation is measured with two axis: integration

If integration into the new culture is high and one keeps traits from one’s own culture, it is called integration. if one is well integrated but does not keep traits from one’s culture, it is called assimilation. If one is not well integrated and keeps traits from one’s culture, it’s called separation. If both are not kept, it’s marginalization.

Acculturative stress is involved in acculturation, when trying to balance between the new and old cultures. increase with bad experiences of a new culture, like a language barrier, racism or discrimination, etc.

(culture shock is the immediate effect that comes when one experiences immersion in another culture, can manifest as excitement/frustration/anxiety etc “oh shit squat toilets”)

Example: Arttu moved to Spain, and loved the siestas and the music. The culture in general was favourable to him. He also taught his new best friend Arturo how to have a Finnish sauna bath. He still loves Finland, but Spain feels like a second homeland to him. He is integrated.