A researcher implants an electrode in a rat's brain, and then wires the electrode so that it stimulates a specific brain region every time the rat presses a lever
The rat finds the stimulation so rewarding that it does nothing but press the lever all day. Which of the following brain regions does the electrode most likely stimulate?
A) nucleus accumbens
B) amygdala
C) cerebellum
D) thalamus
Answer: A
Rationale: The nucleus accumbens is part of the basil ganglia, and is believed to be involved in pleasurable and rewarding sensations associated with certain behaviors. Researchers have found that rats will continuously self-stimulate the accumbens and related regions by pressing a lever.
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a) expectations. b) the therapist's training. c) the treatment drug's chemical activity. d) whether or not there was random assignment.
A study with good internal validity
a. permits the researcher to draw causal conclusions. b. means that the researcher has used appropriate statistical tests. c. shows that the results are likely to be the same for other populations. d. shows high levels of both divergent and convergent validity.