AU PSYC 304 FINAL 4 2026 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK KEY BEHAVIORAL
THEORIES COGNITION AND RESEARCH
METHODS WITH SAMPLE QUESTIONS
◉ Alcohol. Answer: - Produced when yeast ferment sugars from
fruits, grains, or other sources into ethanol.
- Some beverages are later distilled to increase ethanol
concentration.
- Central nervous system depressant that slows neural activity. -
generally own category bc. So many different effects - consider also a
modularity drug and not only a depressant
- Enhances GABA signalling and inhibits glutamate receptors,
reducing neuronal excitability.
◉ Alcohol effects. Answer: - Moderate alcohol consumption has been
proposed to have some health benefits such as a reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease, but results are mixed.
- Short term effects include relaxation, lowered inhibition, impaired
motor coordination, and slowed reaction time.
,- Higher doses can further impair judgement, memory, and motor
control.
- High addictive potential. Chronic use can lead to tolerance,
dependence, and damage the liver and brain.
- Associated with loss of white matter and gray matter in multiple
brain regions (e.g., cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus).
- Periodic overconsumption (bingeing) associated with brain
damage and reduced neurogenesis.
◉ Mechanisms of alcohol. Answer: - Biphasic effect: initial stimulant
phase followed by a depressant phase.
- Binds to GABAA receptors: Ligand gated ion channel that allows
passage of Cl⁻ causing hyperpolarization.
- Reduces glutamate NMDA mediated activity. - important for
memory - impairs memory from impairing this
- Also stimulates dopamine pathways, causing euphoric effects.
◉ Psychedelics. Answer: Also (incorrectly) called hallucinogens.
Alter sensory perception. - distorting your perceptions
,Users may interpret it as having deep spiritual or
psychological meaning.
Users are also typically aware that these altered perceptions are not
real events. - big difference for what happens as hallucinogens in
someone with schizo - are usually aware they are having an altered
perception bc.
They took the drug
LSD (acid), mescaline (peyote), and psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
have mainly visual effects.
◉ Effects. Answer: Can produce beneficial mood changes,
introspective states, and feelings of creativity.
Potential therapeutic use: interest in using psychedelics to treat
specific psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder. - especially for microdosing
Microdosing: People who take very low doses of LSD and psilocybin
on a regular basis reportedly enjoy improvements of mood and
cognition.
, ◉ Mechanisms of psychedelics. Answer: psychedelic drugs affect
different neurotransmitter systems depending on the substance.
Many psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, mescaline) act as serotonin
receptor agonists, especially at 5-HT2A receptors. - mostly affect
serotonin - main one to remember is serotonin
- Abundant in the visual cortex, may contribute to vivid visual
hallucinations.
- Also in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate
cortex. Changes in these circuits may disinhibit limbic emotion
systems, contributing to altered emotional experiences.
Effects on other systems: Mescaline affects noradrenergic signalling,
Muscarine acts on acetylcholine receptors, and Salvia divinorum
activates opioid receptors.
◉ Ketamine - considered a psychedelic. Answer: Originally
developed as a powerful anesthetic for medical and veterinary use.
Dissociative drug: Produces feelings of depersonalization and
detachment from reality. - at high doses
Acts primarily by blocking NMDA glutamate receptors, reducing
excitatory signalling in the brain. - also why they may impair
memory as well
PREPARATION PACK KEY BEHAVIORAL
THEORIES COGNITION AND RESEARCH
METHODS WITH SAMPLE QUESTIONS
◉ Alcohol. Answer: - Produced when yeast ferment sugars from
fruits, grains, or other sources into ethanol.
- Some beverages are later distilled to increase ethanol
concentration.
- Central nervous system depressant that slows neural activity. -
generally own category bc. So many different effects - consider also a
modularity drug and not only a depressant
- Enhances GABA signalling and inhibits glutamate receptors,
reducing neuronal excitability.
◉ Alcohol effects. Answer: - Moderate alcohol consumption has been
proposed to have some health benefits such as a reduced risk of
cardiovascular disease, but results are mixed.
- Short term effects include relaxation, lowered inhibition, impaired
motor coordination, and slowed reaction time.
,- Higher doses can further impair judgement, memory, and motor
control.
- High addictive potential. Chronic use can lead to tolerance,
dependence, and damage the liver and brain.
- Associated with loss of white matter and gray matter in multiple
brain regions (e.g., cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus).
- Periodic overconsumption (bingeing) associated with brain
damage and reduced neurogenesis.
◉ Mechanisms of alcohol. Answer: - Biphasic effect: initial stimulant
phase followed by a depressant phase.
- Binds to GABAA receptors: Ligand gated ion channel that allows
passage of Cl⁻ causing hyperpolarization.
- Reduces glutamate NMDA mediated activity. - important for
memory - impairs memory from impairing this
- Also stimulates dopamine pathways, causing euphoric effects.
◉ Psychedelics. Answer: Also (incorrectly) called hallucinogens.
Alter sensory perception. - distorting your perceptions
,Users may interpret it as having deep spiritual or
psychological meaning.
Users are also typically aware that these altered perceptions are not
real events. - big difference for what happens as hallucinogens in
someone with schizo - are usually aware they are having an altered
perception bc.
They took the drug
LSD (acid), mescaline (peyote), and psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
have mainly visual effects.
◉ Effects. Answer: Can produce beneficial mood changes,
introspective states, and feelings of creativity.
Potential therapeutic use: interest in using psychedelics to treat
specific psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder. - especially for microdosing
Microdosing: People who take very low doses of LSD and psilocybin
on a regular basis reportedly enjoy improvements of mood and
cognition.
, ◉ Mechanisms of psychedelics. Answer: psychedelic drugs affect
different neurotransmitter systems depending on the substance.
Many psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, mescaline) act as serotonin
receptor agonists, especially at 5-HT2A receptors. - mostly affect
serotonin - main one to remember is serotonin
- Abundant in the visual cortex, may contribute to vivid visual
hallucinations.
- Also in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and anterior cingulate
cortex. Changes in these circuits may disinhibit limbic emotion
systems, contributing to altered emotional experiences.
Effects on other systems: Mescaline affects noradrenergic signalling,
Muscarine acts on acetylcholine receptors, and Salvia divinorum
activates opioid receptors.
◉ Ketamine - considered a psychedelic. Answer: Originally
developed as a powerful anesthetic for medical and veterinary use.
Dissociative drug: Produces feelings of depersonalization and
detachment from reality. - at high doses
Acts primarily by blocking NMDA glutamate receptors, reducing
excitatory signalling in the brain. - also why they may impair
memory as well
