VCAA Psychology How does the nervous system enable psychological functioning?
15 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers
When you touch a hot stove, you instinctively pull your hand away. This demonstrates
a polysynaptic reflex.
a monosynaptic reflex.
an involuntary response from the sympathetic nervous system.
an involuntary response from the parasympathetic nervous system.
Reveal Answer
a polysynaptic reflex.
The withdrawal reflex is polysynaptic because it involves one or more interneurons in the spinal cord connecting the sensory neuron to the motor neuron.
a monosynaptic reflex.
A monosynaptic reflex, such as the knee-jerk reflex, involves a direct connection between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron without any interneurons.
an involuntary response from the sympathetic nervous system.
Although the response is involuntary, it involves skeletal muscles controlled by the somatic nervous system, not the autonomic sympathetic nervous system.
an involuntary response from the parasympathetic nervous system.
The parasympathetic nervous system regulates "rest and digest" autonomic functions, whereas this reflex involves skeletal muscle contraction via the somatic nervous system.
The gut–brain axis is an area of emerging research. Researchers are interested in understanding the role of the vagus nerve in the gut–brain axis by using a range of investigation methodologies, including case studies.
Outline two roles of the vagus nerve in the gut–brain axis. As part of your answer, describe how case studies could be used to understand the role of the vagus nerve in the gut–brain axis.
Reveal Answer
The vagus nerve connects the central nervous system (CNS) to the enteric nervous system (ENS), linking the gut and the brain. It also enables the transmission of neural information from the gut to the brain (80–90% of nerve fibres are responsible for this) and from the brain to the gut (10–20% of nerve fibres are responsible for this).
Case studies enable an in-depth and detailed study of particular concepts which would allow the vagus nerve's role in establishing the bidirectional connection in the gut–brain axis to be understood, possibly by investigating the impact of a damaged vagus nerve on the gut–brain axis functioning.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Outlines a first role of the vagus nerve in the gut-brain axis (e.g., afferent/sensory role, efferent/motor role, bidirectional communication, or transmitting signals influenced by serotonin). | 1 |
Outlines a second role of the vagus nerve in the gut-brain axis. | 1 |
Demonstrates a clear understanding of what a case study is (e.g., an in-depth and detailed study of particular concepts). | 1 |
Suggests how a case study could be used to understand the role of the vagus nerve (e.g., investigating the impact of a damaged vagus nerve on gut-brain axis functioning). | 1 |
Using your knowledge of the gut–brain axis, explain why adequate nutritional intake acts as a biological protective factor for maintaining mental wellbeing.
Reveal Answer
By having an adequate nutritional intake, individuals obtain the necessary nutrients to support gut health. This support helps increase the diversity of the gut microbiota. Subsequently, the microbiota release chemical agents that stimulate the production of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, such as GABA and serotonin. These chemicals influence brain function, helping to reduce anxiety, improve mood and enhance overall mental wellbeing.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Explains that adequate nutritional intake supports a balanced microbiota or gut symbiosis. | 1 |
Explains that there is a biological link between healthy microbiota and brain functioning (e.g., microbiota release chemical agents that stimulate the production of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators). | 1 |
Explains that improved brain functioning is linked to enhanced/increased mood/wellbeing. | 1 |
Use the following information to answer the question.
Jacob is a paramedic attending to a patient who has been unconscious for at least 30 minutes. Jacob records his observations of the patient on a clipboard.
While Jacob is checking the patient’s pulse, the patient suddenly wakes up and yells loudly, startling Jacob.
Which immediate physiological changes would Jacob experience when he is startled?
constriction of airways and bladder relaxation
increase in salivation and release of adrenaline
release of cortisol and increased release of glucose
increase in adrenaline and reduced movement in the large intestine
Reveal Answer
constriction of airways and bladder relaxation
The sympathetic nervous system dilates the airways to increase oxygen intake during a fight-or-flight response, rather than constricting them.
increase in salivation and release of adrenaline
While adrenaline is released, the fight-or-flight response actually decreases salivation, which is why people often get a dry mouth when startled or nervous.
release of cortisol and increased release of glucose
Although glucose release increases, the release of cortisol is part of the body's slower, secondary stress response (HPA axis) and would not be an immediate physiological change.
increase in adrenaline and reduced movement in the large intestine
Being startled triggers the immediate sympathetic fight-or-flight response, which rapidly releases adrenaline and inhibits non-essential functions like digestion, resulting in reduced movement in the large intestine.
An avoidance strategy
is the healthiest way to reduce stress in the long-term.
is always maladaptive because it does not deal with the problem.
can reduce stress when nothing can be done to address the stressor.
is inappropriate when an immediate confrontation will lead to an argument.
Reveal Answer
is the healthiest way to reduce stress in the long-term.
While avoidance can provide short-term relief, it is generally unhealthy in the long-term because the underlying problem remains unresolved and can cause future stress.
is always maladaptive because it does not deal with the problem.
Avoidance is not always maladaptive; it can be a useful short-term coping mechanism or highly adaptive when a situation is completely out of a person's control.
can reduce stress when nothing can be done to address the stressor.
When a stressor is uncontrollable, avoidance or emotion-focused coping strategies can be highly adaptive ways to minimize psychological distress.
is inappropriate when an immediate confrontation will lead to an argument.
Avoidance is actually highly appropriate in situations where immediate confrontation would escalate into a harmful or unproductive argument.
Use the following information to answer the question.
Denver is an aspiring classical musician and their audition with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is scheduled for today. Denver is feeling anxious even though they have practised for many weeks.
During the weeks of practice, which of the following neural changes occurred in Denver's brain?
Dendrites became increasingly myelinated.
New pathways became more efficient when Denver made errors.
Structural changes occurred in the axon when Denver made fewer mistakes.
Unnecessary pathways were pruned as Denver developed their playing technique.
Reveal Answer
Dendrites became increasingly myelinated.
Myelin sheaths form around axons to increase the speed of neural transmission, not around dendrites.
New pathways became more efficient when Denver made errors.
Neural pathways become more efficient through repeated, correct practice (long-term potentiation), rather than when errors are made.
Structural changes occurred in the axon when Denver made fewer mistakes.
Structural changes during learning primarily occur at the synapses (such as increased dendritic branching) rather than within the axon itself.
Unnecessary pathways were pruned as Denver developed their playing technique.
As Denver refines their playing technique, unused or inefficient neural connections are eliminated through synaptic pruning, which streamlines and strengthens the necessary pathways.
Consider the following statements related to stress.
Statement 1 – Context-specific effectiveness determines whether a coping strategy is approach or avoidance.
Statement 2 – The absence of coping flexibility could prolong the release of cortisol.
Statement 3 – Both acute and chronic stress involve a physiological stress response.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Reveal Answer
1 only
This option is incorrect because Statement 1 is false. Approach and avoidance coping are determined by whether the behavior is directed toward or away from the stressor, not by context-specific effectiveness.
1 and 2 only
This option is incorrect because Statement 1 is false, and it incorrectly excludes Statement 3. Both acute and chronic stress trigger physiological responses, making Statement 3 true.
2 and 3 only
This option is correct. Statement 2 is true because lacking coping flexibility can lead to unresolved stress, prolonging cortisol release. Statement 3 is also true as both acute and chronic stress activate physiological stress responses.
1, 2 and 3
This option is incorrect because Statement 1 is false. Context-specific effectiveness refers to how well a coping strategy matches the demands of a specific situation, not its classification as approach or avoidance.
Which of the following best describes the transmission of neural information?
Neurotransmitters are released from specifically shaped receptor sites on the pre-synaptic neuron.
The human nervous system communicates through the work of both cellular and chemical components.
Synaptic vesicles are found in the dendrites of a post-synaptic neuron to capture the neurotransmitters they receive.
Unlike neurotransmitters, neuromodulators do not rely on the need to locate a complementary shaped receptor site before temporarily binding to a neuron.
Reveal Answer
Neurotransmitters are released from specifically shaped receptor sites on the pre-synaptic neuron.
Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles in the axon terminal, while receptor sites are primarily located on the dendrites of the post-synaptic neuron.
The human nervous system communicates through the work of both cellular and chemical components.
Neural transmission relies on both cellular processes, such as electrical action potentials traveling down the axon, and chemical processes, like neurotransmitters crossing the synaptic gap.
Synaptic vesicles are found in the dendrites of a post-synaptic neuron to capture the neurotransmitters they receive.
Synaptic vesicles are structures that store neurotransmitters in the pre-synaptic neuron's axon terminal, not structures that capture them in the post-synaptic dendrites.
Unlike neurotransmitters, neuromodulators do not rely on the need to locate a complementary shaped receptor site before temporarily binding to a neuron.
Both neuromodulators and neurotransmitters function by binding to specific, complementary receptor sites on target neurons to exert their effects.
Use the following information to answer the question.
An experiment tested whether playing calming music can reduce the stress experienced by cows when a human approaches them. After many trials, the presence of a human had a calming effect on the cows.
As part of the study, the researchers measured the cows’ pupil dilation when a human moved towards them.
Why would the researchers measure pupil dilation?
It is a reflexive response controlled by the spinal cord in response to stress.
It is part of the freeze response, which is activated by the somatic nervous system.
It is part of the flight-or-fight response, which is activated by the sympathetic nervous system.
It is a conscious response to let more light in so that the brain can coordinate its response to stress.
Reveal Answer
It is a reflexive response controlled by the spinal cord in response to stress.
Pupil dilation is an autonomic response controlled by the brain and sympathetic nervous system, not a spinal reflex.
It is part of the freeze response, which is activated by the somatic nervous system.
The somatic nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements, whereas pupil dilation is an involuntary response controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
It is part of the flight-or-fight response, which is activated by the sympathetic nervous system.
Pupil dilation is a classic involuntary physiological response triggered by the sympathetic nervous system during the fight-or-flight response to stress.
It is a conscious response to let more light in so that the brain can coordinate its response to stress.
Pupil dilation is an involuntary, unconscious autonomic response, not a conscious action taken by the animal.
To treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a doctor is likely to administer a drug that
inhibits the binding of receptors.
inhibits the lock-and-key process.
mimics the activity of a neurotransmitter.
promotes reuptake on the post-synaptic neuron.
Reveal Answer
inhibits the binding of receptors.
Inhibiting receptor binding describes the action of an antagonist. Blocking dopamine receptors would actually worsen the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
inhibits the lock-and-key process.
Inhibiting the lock-and-key process is another way of describing an antagonist, which would decrease neurotransmitter activity rather than supplementing the lack of dopamine.
mimics the activity of a neurotransmitter.
Parkinson's disease is caused by a deficiency of dopamine. To treat it, doctors often prescribe dopamine agonists, which are drugs that mimic the activity of dopamine to help restore normal motor function.
promotes reuptake on the post-synaptic neuron.
Reuptake occurs on the pre-synaptic neuron, not the post-synaptic neuron. Additionally, promoting reuptake would clear neurotransmitters from the synapse faster, reducing their effects and worsening symptoms.
Vikki wakes up to the sound of something scratching at the bedroom window and becomes so frightened that they cannot move.
Vikki is likely experiencing
an inability to move due to parasympathetic dominance.
a heightened heart rate with sympathetic nervous system activation.
stimulation of the autonomic nervous system in preparation for running away.
the 'fight-flight-freeze' response, which is controlled by the somatic nervous system.
Reveal Answer
an inability to move due to parasympathetic dominance.
The "freeze" response, characterized by an inability to move during extreme fear, is caused by parasympathetic nervous system dominance overriding the sympathetic response to keep the body completely still.
a heightened heart rate with sympathetic nervous system activation.
While sympathetic activation increases heart rate and prepares the body for action (fight or flight), Vikki's inability to move points specifically to the parasympathetic-driven "freeze" response.
stimulation of the autonomic nervous system in preparation for running away.
Preparing to run away describes the sympathetic "flight" response, which contradicts Vikki's current state of being completely unable to move.
the 'fight-flight-freeze' response, which is controlled by the somatic nervous system.
Although Vikki is experiencing the "freeze" response, this involuntary survival mechanism is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, not the somatic nervous system.
Acetylcholine is involved in which of the following psychological functions?
pleasure and reward
learning and memory
sleep and emotional arousal
articulation and comprehension of speech
Reveal Answer
pleasure and reward
This function is primarily associated with dopamine, a neurotransmitter central to the brain's reward system and feelings of pleasure.
learning and memory
Acetylcholine plays a critical role in the hippocampus and cortex, facilitating synaptic plasticity which is essential for attention, learning, and memory formation.
sleep and emotional arousal
While acetylcholine is involved in REM sleep, the regulation of general sleep cycles, mood, and emotional arousal is more closely linked to serotonin and norepinephrine.
articulation and comprehension of speech
Speech articulation and comprehension are complex cognitive processes localized to specific brain regions (Broca's and Wernicke's areas) rather than being the primary function of a single neurotransmitter.
Use the following information to answer the question.
Burnout has been described as a physiological and psychological syndrome caused by the presence of too many work stressors. One literature review focused on the connection between Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and burnout in the medical industry. As a result of this review, researchers suggested that the first symptoms of burnout appear somewhere within the end of Stage 2 and the beginning of Stage 3 of GAS.
Source: Adapted from https://www.academicradiology.org/article/S1076-6332(23)00562-7/abstract
The 'exhaustion' stage of Selye's GAS can explain the onset of burnout because
the increased susceptibility to physical illness enhances the likelihood of experiencing burnout.
the depletion of adrenaline levels can lead to a loss in muscle tone and a reduced ability to cope.
the presence of headaches diminishes the ability to apply approach strategies to work-related stressors.
the psychological impact of work stressors can diminish the ability to utilise context-specific strategies.
Reveal Answer
the increased susceptibility to physical illness enhances the likelihood of experiencing burnout.
Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a physiological model of stress. During the exhaustion stage, the body's resources are severely depleted, leading to immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to physical illness, which directly contributes to the physiological and psychological syndrome of burnout.
the depletion of adrenaline levels can lead to a loss in muscle tone and a reduced ability to cope.
While physiological resources are depleted during the exhaustion stage, adrenaline is primarily associated with the initial 'alarm reaction' stage. Furthermore, a loss in muscle tone is not the defining characteristic of exhaustion or burnout.
the presence of headaches diminishes the ability to apply approach strategies to work-related stressors.
Although headaches can be a symptom of stress, the concept of applying 'approach strategies' belongs to psychological models of stress (like Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model), whereas Selye's GAS is strictly a physiological model.
the psychological impact of work stressors can diminish the ability to utilise context-specific strategies.
Selye's GAS focuses on the biological and physiological responses to stress. The psychological impact of stressors and the use of 'context-specific strategies' are concepts derived from psychological models of coping, not GAS.
Identify the two main structures of the central nervous system.
Reveal Answer
- The brain
- The spinal cord
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies the brain | 1 |
Identifies the spinal cord | 1 |
Use the following information to answer the question.
Tracy received the news that her audition for the lead role in the school play was successful.
According to Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, which one of the following may best describe Tracy's initial reaction to the news?
She recalls that learning lines has always been easy.
She views it as an opportunity to begin her acting career.
She decides to learn the rest of the lines in the play's script with a friend.
She decides that she does not have the resources to cope due to the stress of the news.
Reveal Answer
She recalls that learning lines has always been easy.
Recalling that learning lines is easy represents an evaluation of her coping resources, which occurs during secondary appraisal, not the initial primary appraisal.
She views it as an opportunity to begin her acting career.
Viewing the news as an opportunity represents a primary appraisal, where the individual initially evaluates the significance of the event (in this case, as a positive challenge or benign-positive event).
She decides to learn the rest of the lines in the play's script with a friend.
Deciding to learn lines with a friend is an example of a coping strategy (specifically, problem-focused coping), which occurs after both primary and secondary appraisals.
She decides that she does not have the resources to cope due to the stress of the news.
Evaluating whether she has the resources to cope is the definition of secondary appraisal, which follows the initial primary appraisal.
Which statement about conscious or unconscious responses by the nervous system is correct?
A conscious response by the nervous system is involuntary and goal-directed.
A conscious response by the nervous system is voluntary and attention is given to the stimulus.
An unconscious response by the nervous system is voluntary and regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
An unconscious response by the nervous system is unintentional and is always regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
Reveal Answer
A conscious response by the nervous system is involuntary and goal-directed.
Conscious responses are voluntary, meaning they are under conscious control, rather than involuntary.
A conscious response by the nervous system is voluntary and attention is given to the stimulus.
Conscious responses involve awareness of a stimulus, paying attention to it, and making a voluntary decision to react.
An unconscious response by the nervous system is voluntary and regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
Unconscious responses are involuntary, meaning they occur automatically and without conscious thought or control.
An unconscious response by the nervous system is unintentional and is always regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
While unconscious responses are unintentional, they are not always regulated by the autonomic nervous system; for example, spinal reflexes are unconscious but involve the somatic nervous system.