The Phineas Gage Case Study Quiz

What did Phineas Gage lose after his accident?

• His memory

• The ability to mix emotions and social behaviors predictably

• His job as a foreman

• The ability to walk

What was used to inspect Phineas Gage's skull during Dr. Harlow's presentation?

• The audience's imagination

• The skull itself, prepared for inspection

• An X-ray machine

• A magnifying glass

What does the case of Phineas Gage illustrate about the frontal cortex?

• It has no significant function

• It is responsible for memory

• It controls physical movement

• It is the seat of executive functions

What kind of patients remind the Damasios of Phineas Gage?

• Patients with memory loss

• Patients with visual impairments

• Patients with hearing loss

• Patients with damage to the frontal cortex

What kind of brain injuries do the Damasios' patients usually have?

• Injuries from birth defects

• Injuries following surgery to remove a tumor

• Injuries from falls

• Injuries from sports accidents

What is a usually reliable sign of emotional response measured by the Damasios?

• Heart rate

• Sweaty palms

• Blood pressure

• Eye movement

What did the modern-day Phineases show in their skin reactions to emotionally charged pictures?

• Highly variable reactions

• Nearly flat reactions

• Extremely high reactions

• No reaction at all

What did Dr. Harlow believe about the location of Phineas's brain damage?

• It was in the very front of the left frontal cortex

• It was in the cerebellum

• It was in the right hemisphere

• It was widespread throughout the brain

What did Hanna Damasio use to construct a retroactive brain scan of Phineas Gage?

• Testimonies from eyewitnesses

• A generic human skull and computer imaging

• Phineas's medical records

• Only the tamping iron

What was the outcome of the Damasio's experiment with a computer 'gambling' game?

• Patients showed no interest in the game

• Patients preferred high-risk strategies

• Patients kept playing the less favorable decks despite understanding the odds

• Patients could not understand the game