You and Your 51-Year-Old Mother Are Playing a Speed-Based Computer

question 317

Multiple Choice

You and your 51-year-old mother are playing a speed-based computer game. The point of the game is to respond as quickly as possible to a set of three letters, while disregarding other letters that appear. Your mother is getting frustrated because she keeps ____.

• A) pushing the button on the controller for the wrong letters
• B) getting beaten by you even though she is correct in her responding
• C) forgetting which button to push
• D) falling asleep because she thinks the game is boring

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Definitions:

Medulla Oblongata

A portion of the brainstem responsible for autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure control.

Midbrain

A part of the brainstem involved in functions such as vision, hearing, motor control, sleep/wake, arousal (alertness), and temperature regulation.

Diencephalon

A part of the brain containing elements including the thalamus and hypothalamus, responsible for sensory processes and involuntary bodily operations.

Flocculonodular Lobe

The flocculonodular lobe is a region of the cerebellum involved in balance and eye movements.