Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized for You
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Track Your Progress
every week, we’ll send you an estimated GRE score based on your performance
Practice Pays
we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:
Your score will improve and your results will be more realistic
Is there something wrong with our timer?Let us know!
By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
18 Jul 2020, 09:04
3
Expert Reply
7
Bookmarks
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes to mental experience appeared rather discouraging. Such variations in size, shape, chemistry, conduction speed, excitation threshold, and the like as had been demonstrated in nerve cells remained negligible in significance for any possible correlation with the manifold dimensions of mental experience.
Near the turn of the century, it had been suggested by Hering that different modes of sensation, such as pain, taste, and color, might be correlated with the discharge of specific kinds of nervous energy. However, subsequently developed methods of recording and analyzing nerve potentials failed to reveal any such qualitative diversity. It was possible to demonstrate by other methods refined structural differences among neuron types; however, proof was lacking that the quality of the impulse or its conduction was influenced by these differences, which seemed instead to influence the developmental patterning of the neural circuits. Although qualitative variance among nerve energies was never rigidly disproved, the doctrine was generally abandoned in favor of the opposing view, namely, that nerve impulses are essentially homogeneous in quality and are transmitted as "common currency" throughout the nervous system. According to this theory, it is not the quality of the sensory nerve impulses that determines the diverse conscious sensations they produce, but rather the different areas of the brain into which they discharge, and there is some evidence for this view. In one experiment, when an electric stimulus was applied to a given sensory field of the cerebral cortex of a conscious human subject, it produced a sensation of the appropriate modality for that particular locus, that is, a visual sensation from the visual cortex, an auditory sensation from the auditory cortex, and so on. Other experiments revealed slight variations in the size, number, arrangement, and interconnection of the nerve cells, but as far as psychoneural correlations were concerned, the obvious similarities of these sensory fields to each other seemed much more remarkable than any of the minute differences.
However, cortical locus, in itself, turned out to have little explanatory value. Studies showed that sensations as diverse as those of red, black, green, and white, or touch, cold, warmth, movement, pain, posture, and pressure apparently may arise through activation of the same cortical areas. What seemed to remain was some kind of differential patterning effects in the brain excitation: it is the difference in the central distribution of impulses that counts. In short, brain theory suggested a correlation between mental experience and the activity of relatively homogeneous nerve-cell units conducting essentially homogeneous impUlses, through homogeneous cerebral tissue. To match the multiple dimensions of mental experience psychologists could only point to a limitless variation in the spatiotemporal patterning of nerve impulses.
Question 1
00:00
A
B
C
D
E
Question Stats:
83% (02:54) correct
18% (02:06) wrong based on 40 sessions
HideShow
timer Statistics
21. The author suggests that, by 1950, attempts to correlate mental experience with brain processes would probably have been viewed with
74% (00:55) correct
26% (01:32) wrong based on 54 sessions
HideShow
timer Statistics
22. The author mentions "common currency" primarily in order to emphasize the
(A) lack of differentiation among nerve impulses in human beings (B) similarity of the sensations that all human beings experience (C) similarities in the views of scientists who have studied the human nervous system (D) continuous passage of nerve impulses through the nervous system (E) recurrent questioning by scientists of an accepted explanation about the nervous system
72% (01:12) correct
28% (01:48) wrong based on 46 sessions
HideShow
timer Statistics
23. The description in lines 32-38 of an experiment in which electric stimuli were applied to different sensory fields of the cerebral cortex tends to support the theory that
(A) the simple presence of different cortical areas cannot account for the diversity of mental experience (B) variation in spatiotemporal patterning of nerve impulses correlates with variation in subjective experience (C) nerve impulses are essentially homogeneous and are relatively unaffected as they travel through the nervous system (D) the mental experiences produced by sensory nerve impulses are determined by the cortical area activated (E) variation in neuron types affects the quality of nerve impulses
56% (00:47) correct
44% (00:50) wrong based on 48 sessions
HideShow
timer Statistics
25. The passage can most accurately be described as a discussion concerning historical views of the
(A) anatomy of the brain (B) manner in which nerve impulses are conducted (C) significance of different cortical areas in mental experience (D) mechanics of sense perception (E) physiological correlates of mental experience
66% (01:21) correct
34% (01:21) wrong based on 44 sessions
HideShow
timer Statistics
26. Which of the following best summarizes the author's opinion of the suggestion that different areas of the brain determine perceptions produced by sensory nerve impulses?
(A) It is a plausible explanation, but it has not been completely proved. (B) It is the best explanation of brain processes currently available. (C) It is disproved by the fact that the various areas of the brain are physiologically very similar. (D) There is some evidence to support it, but it fails to explain the diversity of mental experience. (E) There is experimental evidence that confirms its correctness.
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
18 Jul 2020, 18:31
3
21. The author suggests that, by 1950, attempts to correlate mental experience with brain processes would probably have been viewed with (C) pessimism correct: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes to mental experience appeared rather discouraging
22. The author mentions "common currency" primarily in order to emphasize the (A) lack of differentiation among nerve impulses in human beings Correct: the opposing view, namely, that nerve impulses are essentially homogeneous in quality and are transmitted as "common currency"...
23. The description in lines 32-38 of an experiment in which electric stimuli were applied to different sensory fields of the cerebral cortex tends to support the theory that (D) the mental experiences produced by sensory nerve impulses are determined by the cortical area activated Correct: According to this theory, it is not the quality of the sensory nerve impulses that determines the diverse conscious sensations they produce, but rather the different areas of the brain into which they discharge, and there is some evidence for this view. In one experiment……………………
24. According to the passage, some evidence exists that the area of the cortex activated by a sensory stimulus determines which of the following? I. The nature of the nerve impulse Not supported by the passage II. The modality of the sensory experience correct In one experiment, when an electric stimulus was applied... it produced a sensation of the appropriate modality for that particular locus III. Qualitative differences within a modality Not supported by the passage
25. The passage can most accurately be described as a discussion concerning historical views of the POE (A) anatomy of the brain This is clearly not the focus of the passage. (B) manner in which nerve impulses are conducted This is not the focus of the passage. (C) significance of different cortical areas in mental experience This is too narrow. (D) mechanics of sense perception Sense perception is too narrow (E) physiological correlates of mental experience correct- This is the theme of passage.
26. Which of the following best summarizes the author's opinion of the suggestion that different areas of the brain determine perceptions produced by sensory nerve impulses? POE (A) It is a plausible explanation, but it has not been completely proved. The author mentions an experiment which supports the suggestion. (B) It is the best explanation of brain processes currently available. The author does not say that this is the best available explanation. (C) It is disproved by the fact that the various areas of the brain are physiologically very similar. The suggestion has not been disproved. (D) There is some evidence to support it, but it fails to explain the diversity of mental experience. Correct- Of all the answer choices, this most accurately captures the opinion of author about the suggestion. In one experiment, when an electric stimulus was applied to a given sensory field of the cerebral cortex of a conscious human subject, it produced a sensation of the appropriate modality for that particular locus… However, cortical locus, in itself, turned out to have little explanatory value. Studies showed that sensations as diverse………………apparently may arise through activation of the same cortical areas (E) There is experimental evidence that confirms its correctness. Author also mentions her qualification about the suggestion.
27. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following exhibits the LEAST qualitative variation? (A) Nerve cells In short, brain theory suggested..... and the activity of relatively homogeneous nerve-cell units... Such variations in size, shape, chemistry, conduction speed, excitation threshold, and the like as had been demonstrated in nerve cells (B) Nerve impulses correct In short, brain theory suggested...... essentially homogeneous impulse..... (C) Cortical areas subject, it produced a sensation of the appropriate modality for that particular locus, that is, a visual sensation from the visual cortex, an auditory sensation from the auditory cortex, and so on (D) Spatial patterns of nerve impulses and (E) Temporal patterns of nerve impulses To match the multiple dimensions of mental experience psychologists could only point to a limitless variation in the spatiotemporal patterning of nerve impulses.
21. The author suggests that, by 1950, attempts to correlate mental experience with brain processes would probably have been viewed with (C) pessimism correct: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes to mental experience appeared rather discouraging
If they are asking "attempts to correlate mental experience with brain processes would probably have been viewed with" then if the results were discouraging then the attempt before the result must be seen as the opposite of discouraging, isn´t it?
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
12 Jul 2021, 04:28
1
Expert Reply
Well
what you assumed is NOT necessarily true. In some rare cases, you can do that or solve a question only reading the system and the answer choices and nOT the passage whatsoever.
However, as a general rule 99.99% percent of the time you have to read the passage. Not only the sentence that could leads you to the solution but just the ENTIRE passage. Understand the whole picture.
By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes to mental experience appeared rather discouraging. Such variations in size, shape, chemistry, conduction speed, excitation threshold, and the like as had been demonstrated in nerve cells remained negligible in significance for any possible correlation with the manifold dimensions of mental experience.
Near the turn of the century, it had been suggested by Hering that different modes of sensation, such as pain, taste, and color, might be correlated with the discharge of specific kinds of nervous energy.However, subsequently developed methods of recording and analyzing nerve potentialsfailed to reveal any such qualitative diversity.
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
21 Jan 2022, 04:41
Can someone explain or paraphrase the last paragraph? I have trouble understanding it. "However, cortical locus, in itself, turned out to have little explanatory value. Studies showed that sensations as diverse as those of red, black, green, and white, or touch, cold, warmth, movement, pain, posture, and pressure apparently may arise through activation of the same cortical areas. What seemed to remain was some kind of differential patterning effects in the brain excitation: it is the difference in the central distribution of impulses that counts. In short, brain theory suggested a correlation between mental experience and the activity of relatively homogeneous nerve-cell units conducting essentially homogeneous impUlses, through homogeneous cerebral tissue. To match the multiple dimensions of mental experience psychologists could only point to a limitless variation in the spatiotemporal patterning of nerve impulses."
By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
21 Jan 2022, 07:11
2
Expert Reply
However, cortical locus, in itself, turned out to have little explanatory value.
The cortical locus or spot or place where it is located in our brain is not so relevant.
Studies showed that sensations as diverse as those of red, black, green, and white, or touch, cold, warmth, movement, pain, posture, and pressure apparently may arise through activation of the same cortical areas.
All the sensations above could be activated by the same cortical locus. Therefore, if it is positioned in the front of our brain or in the back is not so important
What seemed to remain was some kind of differential patterning effects in the brain excitation: it is the difference in the central distribution of impulses that counts. In short, brain theory suggested a correlation between mental experience and the activity of relatively homogeneous nerve-cell units conducting essentially homogeneous impUlses, through homogeneous cerebral tissue. To match the multiple dimensions of mental experience psychologists could only point to a limitless variation in the spatiotemporal patterning of nerve impulses.
Last part is pretty tough in its wording
The last piece we have to study more is the following: once we have established that the cortical locus is irrelevant we have to understand better the excitation in our brain and its unfolding or patterns.
we do have a correlation or a bond between mental experience and the activity of nerve cells. But this is still unclear because the correlation unfolds via patterns but we saw a limitless of this pattern so the entire process is still not clear: we do know that we have patters but is still unclear how many and how these generate
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
19 Apr 2023, 19:25
1
24. According to the passage, some evidence exists that the area of the cortex activated by a sensory stimulus determines which of the following? I. The nature of the nerve impulse No where in the passage its mentioned about the nature of the nerve impulse.
II. The modality of the sensory experience correct
In one experiment, when an electric stimulus was applied... III. Qualitative differences within a modality Not supported by the passage
25. The passage can most accurately be described as a discussion concerning historical views of the
(A) anatomy of the brain- incorrect In the passage, author of the passage not really focused complete analysis of the rather author focused on the mental experiences. (B) manner in which nerve impulses are conducted- eliminated This is not the focus of the passage. (C) significance of different cortical areas in mental experience This is just a part of the explanations of the author. (D) mechanics of sense perception Sense perception is too narrow. (E) physiological correlates of mental experience correct- This is the theme of passage.
I initially, answered Question 25 wrong, but with the POE option is best option among all the other options.
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
27 May 2023, 04:37
Do an RC have 7 questions in GRE or the passage is this big or is it for our practice. Because it is time consuming and difficult to grasp lot of details
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
25 Aug 2023, 22:51
1
Summary
Para 1: experiment to see whether the different sensation have different intensity of nerve impulse failed . It was seen as a disappointment
Para 2: 1st theory it is the quality that differ with different sensation, then a better theory came that it was different part of the brain that give impulses for different sensation Like auditory nerves gives the sensation of seeing
Para 3: for cortex area, different sensation is sensed with different pattern of impulses
A1: (B) - because the author was disappointed A2: (A) - Nerve impulse are homogeneous A3: (D) - mental experience linked with cerebral cortex activation - para 3 A4: I and III are wrong because nerve impulse are homogeneous and there quality of the impulse theory was disregarded A6: (D) through different cortex produces sensation to different parts, but could not explain different mental experience as it came from cerebral cortex A7: (B) - A - nerve cell increase D & E - are same and they do also change C - different cortex areas - different sensation
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t
[#permalink]
25 Aug 2023, 22:57
Expert Reply
Midhilesh489 wrote:
Do an RC have 7 questions in GRE or the passage is this big or is it for our practice. Because it is time consuming and difficult to grasp lot of details
No more. in the GRE of today the long èassage will have at the very most 4 questions
gmatclubot
Re: By 1950, the results of attempts to relate brain processes t [#permalink]