AP Psych Brain Injury Application

On Justin’s 21st birthday he & his buddies celebrated a bit too much. When the police stopped his car Justin’s speech was slurred, he couldn’t walk a straight line or balance on one foot. Which part of the brain was impaired, thus explaining Justin’s difficulties with motor coordination and balance?

• Cerebral Cortex
• Cerebrum
• Cerebellum
• Left Hemisphere

Walking down a dark city street late at night, Mike suddenly felt the metal barrel of a pistol press against his head and heard, “Don’t move a muscle while I slip your wallet out of your pocket.” Unfortunately Mike did move, and the criminal fired the gun! Mike’s breathing and heart beat stopped almost immediately. Where was he shot?

• Brainstem
• Amygdala
• Pituitary Gland
• Hypothalamus

Jill got very ill in college and suffered from a serious brain infection. Although she received good medical attention, the infection damaged certain parts of her brain. Now Jill cannot store new long-term memories. What part of the brain was damaged?

• Pons
• Amygdala
• Thalamus
• Hippocampus

“Tiny Tim” was extremely short for his age. His doctors concluded the brain was not stimulating the proper release of hormones necessary for growth. What area of the brain are they probably studying?

• Brainstem
• Amygdala
• Pituitary Gland
• Hippocampus

Amy was having a really bad week! On Monday her vision got blurrier and blurrier until she could no longer see at all. On Tuesday she found she couldn’t hear. On Wednesday her sense of taste went. On Thursday she lost her sense of touch. Her brain scan revealed a single brain tumor was probably producing all of these deficits. What single part of the brain is involved in all of these sensory processes?

• Thalamus
• Hippocampus
• Brainstem
• Hypothalamus

Brett was a superior student and had a full scholarship, but following a head injury he can no longer plan, organize or follow through with decisions necessary for school. In addition, he no longer shows concern for others or for common social courtesies. Where was his injury?

• Frontal Lobes
• Parietal Lobes
• Occipital Lobes
• Temporal Lobes

Julie suffered a concussion in a car accident. Since that day she has notice a dramatic decrease in her appetite and an absence of thirst. She never thinks of having a drink until her lips actually dry and crack. What part of her brain might have been affected by the car accident?

• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary Gland
• Serotonin

Marshall has had brain scans performed during sleep which shows that his brain is not actively stimulated during the dream state. What kind of scan would be used?

• MRI
• PET
• EEG
• fMRI

Jeanette suffers from localized epilepsy (seizures occurring in just one part of the brain). Her seizures are triggering extreme emotions- most often extreme fear followed by a rage response. What part of the brain is being affected?

• Brainstem
• Amygdala
• Pituitary Gland
• Hippocampus

After Martin’s car accident, he had difficulty saying words. Where is Martin’s brain damage (the lobe and specific area in that lobe)?

• Occipital Lobe, Broca's Area
• Parietal Lobe, Broca's Area
• Temporal, Broca's Area
• Frontal Lobe, Broca's Area