2011 VN'ers Psychology U3 Questions Thread

[Darren]

How about this question: why is the difference between the thalamus and RAS so vague?

[iNerd]

How about this question: why is the difference between the thalamus and RAS so vague?

Lol? Both Glockemeister and Vexx have answered that. And they're two completely different things.

Your question should be why is the difference between the reticular formation and RAS so vague?

[Darren]

They are vague. Read the textbook, and you'd realise they accomplish roughly the same principles (filtering sensory, modulating consciousness etc), just with extra emphasis on particular functions. 
I get the difference, it was just a rhetorical question.. and on top of that.. I asked about the thalamus vs the RAS?
Not to sound ''rude/mean'' you should learn to rephrase yourself so you don't come off as arrogant

[iNerd]

They are vague. Read the textbook, and you'd realise they accomplish roughly the same principles (filtering sensory, modulating consciousness etc), just with extra emphasis on particular functions.  
I get the difference, it was just a rhetorical question.. and on top of that.. I asked about the thalamus vs the RAS?
Not to sound ''rude/mean'' you should learn to rephrase yourself so you don't come off as arrogant

Whatever. They're two completely different things with different functions as Vexx has already answered.
I gave a better question: the difference between the RF and RAS which isn't as distinct :/

[totaled]

Just a word of advice, don't always refer to sites such as wikipedia to determine the answers of ambigeous questions, the chief assessor sets the answers to the exam based upon the book that the majority of people use, which is the grivas one.. if you look at last year's mid-year paper, there is a question asking about hemispheric specialisation and splitting the spinal cord, where one of the answers was 'memory', which is exactly what wikipedia says is affected when you cut the spinal cord, however the chief assessor didn't choose that as the correct answer.

[che0106]

I have a SAC this Thurs-a visual representation of how the brain and nervous system works...just like the Melbourne High one (cognition--> behaviour). Does anyone have a visual rep planned out that I can learn off?
The instructions are too vague, I don't know what do do :S

[Glockmeister]

They are vague. Read the textbook, and you'd realise they accomplish roughly the same principles (filtering sensory, modulating consciousness etc), just with extra emphasis on particular functions. 
I get the difference, it was just a rhetorical question.. and on top of that.. I asked about the thalamus vs the RAS?
Not to sound ''rude/mean'' you should learn to rephrase yourself so you don't come off as arrogant

The Thalamus does way more than just arousal or sleep-wake cycles. My neuroanatomy lecturer referred it quite rightly as like "the Flinders St Railway Station of the brain", because of just how much neuronal tracts go through there. Obviously, you're doing psychology and not neuroscience and so you don't need to know exactly what tract goes through there, but be aware that there is more to the thalamus than just sleep-wake cycle (as you can imagine, the thalamus is subject to active research because of the effect of what happens if that section of the brain is damaged)

[leona0123]

My friend and I have been trying to work out the hypothesis, IV/DV, ethical considerations, limitations and further research for the attached study. Help please?

[Glockmeister]

Did you need to come up with something, or are you meant to find it in the article? Cause I can't find it in the article.

[iNerd]

True or False?

The function of the RF is the RAS.

[leona0123]

Did you need to come up with something, or are you meant to find it in the article? Cause I can't find it in the article.

You're supposed to use the article/research to work it out. It's really hard!

[iNerd]

Q: Compared to an MRI scan, what is a significant limitation of the CT scan?

My answer: It only provides horizontal images

Their answer (any of):

The CT image is not as detailed or as clear as an MRI image.
The CT scan is black and white whereas an MRI scan is in colour – there is better contrast in an MRI.
The CT scan uses powerful X-rays and cannot be repeated within several months as there is a high risk of
cancer.
The CT scan requires an injection of iodine to provide contrast – this is an invasive technique

So is mine WRONG?...

[burbs]

Their first one incorporates yours. You aren't wrong, just not correct enough.

[Slumdawg]

You need to remember that commercial companies can't be stuffed writing every single possible answer. Usually at the start it'll say "Some answers other than those provided in these solutions may also be correct but not listed". So obviously your one is still right, the people just couldn't be stuffed listing every single possible answer. If you keep doing that you'll never be able to mark your own papers cos like 1/4 of your answers probably won't be in the solutions.

[iNerd]

True or False?

Information flashed to the left visual field (left half of each eye) will go to the right hemisphere.