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FINAL EXAMINATION
Biological Basis of Behavior
Instructor: Amir Ramezani, PhD
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INSTRUCTIONS
Answer all questions.
Select the correct answer for multiple-choice questions.
Write clearly for short-answer and matching sections.
Some items may not have been covered directly in class but appear in lecture slides or readings. Use your understanding of core concepts to reason through them.
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Final Examination — Biological Basis of Behavior
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SECTION 1: Psychophysiology & Biofeedback
Question 1
True or False: Biofeedback is the use of physiological monitoring instruments to help clients gain awareness and control over physiological activity through both operant conditioning and classical conditioning learning modalities.
Question 2
In a typical psychophysiological assessment, we expect certain patterns of response across different phases. Your task is to draw a line graph showing the expected physiological response (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance/GSR, and EMG/Muscle Tension) across the following four phases. Then, briefly describe what typically happens in each phase.
Part A: First Draw the PPA Profile
Draw a line graph below showing how a physiological response like heart rate (HR), skin conductance or galvanic skin response (GSR), and EMG might change across these four phases. Below the lines have been started for you. Continue to draw the lines. HR, GSR, and EMG are required to get full grade.
DRAW HERE — CONTINUE EACH LINE ACROSS ALL FOUR PHASES
Measure:
Width
Use a different colour for each measure (HR, GSR, EMG) and label your lines if you wish. Drawing works with mouse, trackpad, finger, or stylus.
Part B: Describe Why
Describe what typically happens in each phase. Explain why.
Pre-baseline HR:
Pre-baseline GSR:
Pre-baseline EMG:
Anticipatory HR:
Anticipatory GSR:
Anticipatory EMG:
Stressor/Performance HR:
Stressor/Performance GSR:
Stressor/Performance EMG:
Post-baseline HR:
Post-baseline GSR:
Post-baseline EMG:
CASE: Hana — Performance Anxiety
Hana is a 10-year-old female who plays excellent flamenco guitar but struggles with performance anxiety and beliefs about being negatively judged. Her anxiety causes tension-type headaches. A concert is scheduled in 2 months.
A Psychophysiological Assessment (PPA) was conducted during a guitar performance simulation.
Phase
Duration
EMG (μV)
GSR (μS)
HR (BPM)
Pre-baseline
2 min
3
2
70
Anticipatory
1 min
20
2
40
Stressor/Performance
2 min
40
8
30
Post-baseline
2 min
10
2
70
When asked what she experienced, Hana reported:
"I thought they think I am stupid... they do not like me playing guitar... I guess I was nervous."
Plot all three measures using the values in the table above. Use a different colour for each.
Question 4
What does Hana's EMG reading of 40 μV during performance most likely indicate?
Question 5
Which describes Hana's GSR pattern from pre-baseline to stressor?
Question 6
Most concerning physiological finding during anticipatory/stressor?
Question 7
What intervention would be most appropriate to address Hana's elevated forehead EMG and performance anxiety?
Question 8
What does Hana's slow return to baseline EMG and GSR suggest about her ability to recovery after a stressor?
SECTION 2: Brain Waves & EEG
Question 9
True or False: EEG records both cortical and subcortical electrical activity of the brain.
Question 10
Match brain wave type with its proposed origin.
Generated by thalamus (spindle system), feeling relaxed
Generated from cortical sites, focused
Limbic system or slowing of alpha, awake but drowsy
Suppression of brainstem/thalamus, the slowest of all waves
All neurons firing. On multiple espresso mode, solving quantum physics
Choose one brain wave for each description.
Question 11
Match brain wave with frequency range and description. Each tracing below is animated in real time — study the shape and speed of the wave.
Like your brain's "Do Not Disturb" mode—slow, deep, and perfect for naps or sleep. Peaks range 0-4 Hz or cycles.
1 sec
The daydreamer's wave—great for zoning out and deep thoughts about snacks. Peaks range 4-8 Hz or cycles.
1 sec
Your brain's chill playlist—relaxed but alert, like a cat watching birds. Peaks range 8-12 Hz or cycles.
1 sec
The caffeinated wave—fast, focused, and ready to conquer your to-do list. Peaks range 12-30 Hz or cycles.
1 sec
Like your brain just hit turbo mode and spinning around the galaxies, solving complex problems / puzzles, writing poetry, and planning world domination all at once. Peaks range 30-100 Hz or cycles.
1 sec
SECTION 3: Pain Neurobiology
Question 12
True or False: Pain processing involves thalamus, amygdala, anterior cingulate, insular cortex, and somatosensory cortex.
Question 13
Pain signals enter spinal cord at:
Question 14
C-fibers transmit which type of pain?
Question 15
Which transmits sharp, immediate pinprick pain? (β is the Greek letter beta; δ is the Greek letter delta.)
CASE: Janjiani — Atypical Pain
Janjiani, a 28-year-old accounting student, reports experiencing intense stabbing pain in his chest and legs that comes and goes unpredictably. He describes the pain as "burning and electric." Neurological examinations and medical labs showed no signs of inflammation, nerve damage, or injury. Janjiani's is working with a highly motivated medical residence who suspects problems with C-fiber or Aδ (A-delta) fiber transmission but has yet to figure out what may be at the root of this presentation. During your interview, Janjiani shares that the pain worsens during stressful deadlines and family conflicts. But there are also times when Janjiani does not feel his body and feels like he is outside of himself, looking in.
Question 16
Which best explains psychological component?
Question 17
Which of the following is not a typical characteristic of pain transmitted by C-fibers or Aδ (A-delta) fibers?
Question 18
True or False: Janjiani's case demonstrates a strong integration of biological and psychological knowledge in understanding pain presentations because:
Knowing that:
C-fibers transmit slow, dull, burning pain, typically caused by heat or chemical stimuli (e.g., touching a hot stove or sunburn, or eating hot pepper)
Aδ (A-delta) fibers transmit fast, sharp pain, typically caused by mechanical injury (like a cut or pinch)
In the case study:
Janjiani reports burning and electric pain, which might suggest C-fiber involvement
However, medical tests show no physical cause, and the pain worsens with emotional stress, not physical stimuli such as exposure to a hot stove or a cut/injury.
The pain is inconsistent with expected patterns of either C-fiber or Aδ (A-delta) fiber transmission
Question 19
The Gate Control Theory of Pain describes how the spine and brain process pain signals. According to this theory, cells in the spine act like gates. Which of the following is not true about pain gates:
Question 20
How is Gate Control Theory relevant for behavioral healthcare providers? Explain.
Question 21
Describe 2 types of brain-based pain disorders and brain regions involved.
Type 1:
Brain region(s):
Type 2:
Brain region(s):
SECTION 4: Sleep
Question 22
List 4 brain regions involved in sleep.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Question 23
What genes or proteins regulate sleep and wakefulness?
1.
2.
Question 24
List 2 sleep disorders affecting sleep onset or maintenance.
1.
2.
CASE: Fabritziano — Insomnia
Fabritziano, a 58-year-old male high school principal, reports difficulty falling asleep for the past 4 months. He lies in bed for hours, ruminating about work and family. He wakes up feeling unrefreshed and irritable. He avoids caffeine and screens before bed but often naps after work. No history of substance use or major medical issues. Psychiatric history was notable for mild anxiety related to social situations.
Question 25
Which supports Insomnia Disorder diagnosis?
Question 26
Which of the following best describes the neurochemical imbalance contributing to Fabritziano's insomnia, and the most appropriate pharmacological treatment?
Question 27
Provide 3 evidence-based behavioral treatments for sleep disorders.
1.
2.
3.
SECTION 5: Hunger, Thirst, & Appetite Regulation
Question 28
List the two types of thirst.
1.
2.
Question 29
How does the brain know we are no longer thirsty?
Question 30
List 2 primary ways the brain detects hunger.
1.
2.
Question 31
List 3 unhelpful or maladaptive eating habits (not eating disorders).
1.
2.
3.
CASE: Vagal Disruption & Hunger
Vigaloska is a 45-year-old, female, who developed gastroparesis, or paralysis of gastrict movement, following abdominal surgery that involved partial vagal nerve resection. She reports difficulty recognizing physical hunger cues and often eats based on routine or external signals (e.g., time of day, 12 pm, lunchtime). The vagal disruption has impaired her ability to respond to hunger-related hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK) and ghrelin, contributing to reduced appetite awareness. Because her vagul nerve has been partially removed, she has a hard time also recognizing when she is physically full or sensing when he stomach stretches in response to food filling her stomach. She also experiences bloating and delayed gastric emptying, further complicating her hunger recognition.
Question 32
Which factor impairs hunger recognition?
CASE: Emotional vs. Physical Hunger
16-year-old reports evening overeating triggered by stress, rejection, boredom. Feels "empty" or "anxious" before eating despite recent meals. Craves comfort foods (e.g., chips, ice cream), eats rapidly in secret, feels guilt. She struggles to differentiate between physical hunger and emotional states, and often feels guilt or shame afterward.
Question 33
Identify 3 emotional hunger signs.
a.
b.
c.
Question 34
Key difference between emotional and physical hunger?
SECTION 6: Synthesis & Integration
Question 35
Answer in 3-4 complete sentences. This next section can be done in small groups.
A) Why must a mental healthcare provider understand the biology of emotions, cognition, sleep, pain, eating, and physical health?
B) How does understanding biology inform psychotherapeutic (non-pharmacological) treatment?
C) Give specific examples of how mental health provides understanding of the biological aspects of mental and physical conditions support treatment and assessment.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra Credit
Hana Case: Skin Temperature Response
In Hana PPA, skin temperature was not measured but can be inferred from autonomic physiology.
A) Draw expected or normal finger/skin temperature across four phases:
DRAW THE EXPECTED SKIN TEMPERATURE CURVE
Colour:
Width
Continue the temperature line that has been started for you, across all four phases.
B) Explain using autonomic nervous system concepts (sympathetic vs. parasympathetic, vasoconstriction vs. vasodilation):
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