1
Exam questions PSY2302, v2019
Only three (3) of the following four (4) questions have to be answered. Keep the answers
brief! The answers can be given in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.
Question 1. Methods of cognitive neuroscience.
(a) Briefly describe the two principle approaches for linking cognitive functioning to neuronal
processes. Name one example method for each of the two. (b) Electroencephalography (EEG) is a
frequently used method in cognitive neuroscience. What principle neurophysiological aspects of the
brain response is it measuring? What are event-related potentials (ERPs) and how are they obtained
from EEG measures. (c) For what kind of research question would EEG/ERP measures be preferred
over functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)?
Question 2: Attention and its effects
(a) In general terms, how does the brain’s response differ between an attended and a non-attended
stimulus? Give one example. (b) How is non-spatial/feature-based attention reflected in brain
response? Give one example. (c) The perceptual load theory assumes that task-irrelevant stimuli are
only processed if task-related processing is not too demanding. Describe OR design an experiment,
which demonstrates this effect on brain activation (e.g., measured with fMRI). Include a brief
prediction of the to-be-expected findings.
Question 3: Memory - Varieties and Mechanisms
(a) Give a definition of priming. (b) What is the difference between direct and indirect priming. Give
each one example for direct and indirect priming. (c) Assume you would conduct an fMRI picture
naming experiment in which all pictures are shown twice. How would you expect the brain response
to change from the first to the second presentation? What is this effect called? Briefly describe a
theory explaining why this effect occurs.
Question 4: Declarative memory
(a) Give a brief description of the three general phases of memory functioning. (b) Memory
consolidation is thought to proceed via two distinct but complementary processes in the brain.
Define and explain these two processes. (c) Explain the cognitive map theory of hippocampal
memory function. What evidence is there to support it? How does relational memory theory expand
upon it?
