QCM : Foundations of Human Psychology — 10 questions

Explication

Biological influences refer to the biological systems, such as genetics, brain structures, neurotransmitters, and hormones, that underpin behavior and mental processes. These factors are central to the biological perspective in psychology, which emphasizes that biological processes are fundamental to understanding human behavior.

Explication

Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses, influencing behaviors like pleasure and mood regulation. Hormones, by contrast, are secondary messengers produced by glands.

Explication

Sigmund Freud is widely regarded as the founder of the Psychodynamic Theory, which emphasizes unconscious processes, childhood experiences, and the structure of personality (id, ego, superego). The other options are notable psychologists but are associated with different theories: Carl Jung with analytical psychology, B.F. Skinner with behaviorism, and Albert Bandura with social cognitive theory.

Explication

The amygdala is primarily involved in processing emotions such as fear, making it central to emotional responses; the hippocampus mainly handles memory.

Explication

The primary role of behavioral learning is to modify or acquire behaviors through interactions with the environment, mainly via processes like classical and operant conditioning. It emphasizes observable actions and their environmental causes, aiming to adapt behavior for better functioning in specific contexts.

Explication

Twin and adoption studies typically show that about 50% of the variance in many traits and predispositions is due to genetics, reflecting a significant hereditary influence.

Explication

The ego's main role is to mediate between the primitive desires of the id, the moral constraints of the superego, and the realities of the external world, making it a rational component.

Explication

Repression is an unconscious defense mechanism where the mind pushes distressing memories out of awareness to reduce anxiety. The other options are conscious processes or learned behaviors.

Explication

A key criticism is that psychodynamic theory relies on case studies and subjective interpretations, which limits its empirical testability and scientific validation.

Explication

The biological influences perspective centers on how biological systems like genetics, brain structures, and neurochemicals underpin behavior and mental processes, emphasizing a physiological basis for psychology.