A 25-Year-Old Woman Suffered Severe Brain Injury After Her Commuter

question 8

Multiple Choice

A 25-year-old woman suffered severe brain injury after her commuter train derailed. For weeks after the impact, she experienced episodes of agitation, dystonia, tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia. Her caretakers note that the events are triggered by the doorbell, telephone, and alarm clocks. The symptoms experienced by this woman are mostly likely caused by which of the following?

• A) Increased parasympathetic activity
• B) Decreased parasympathetic activity
• C) Increased sympathetic activity
• D) Decreased sympathetic activity

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Definitions:

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological theory which posits that individuals experience discomfort and distress when holding two or more conflicting cognitions, leading them to seek consistency.

Internal Attribution

The process of attributing the cause of behavior to internal, personal characteristics rather than to external, situational factors.

Weiner's Attribution Theory

A theory that explains how individuals infer the causes of their own and others' behavior, attributing them to either internal dispositions or external situations.

Intrinsic

Describes motivation or values driven by internal rewards, such as personal satisfaction or fulfillment, rather than external pressures or rewards.