Title: Chapter 03
Course: Exploring Psychology and Christian Faith Test Bank

Q: Describe the Gnostic view of creation, and explain the implications of this view for studying science—including psychological science.

Q: Explain the concept of transcendence, the implications of this view for psychology, and what the authors conclude about this issue.

Q: What was/were the basic problem(s) with the woman called S, and what are the implications of this case study for understanding embodiment and willful actions?

Q: Neurologist Antonio Damasio suggests that despite examples of our bodily existence, “Love is true, friendship is sincere, and compassion is genuine, if I do not lie about how I feel, if I really feel loving, friendly, and compassionate.” What does he mean by this? Does this mean we feel all these thoughts in our soul, or is he referring to something else?

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, how does the Bible talk about bodies?
- It places very little emphasis on them; it focuses almost exclusively on the soul.
- Bodies are valuable, but they are almost always described as leading us to sin.
- Bodies are emphasized a great deal in Scripture, so they must be important.
- Bodies are considered important only when referring to our “new” bodies.
A: Bodies are emphasized a great deal in Scripture, so they must be important.

Q: According to Elizabeth Lewis Hall—as well as Moes and Tellinghuisen—the New Testament suggestion that Christians are part of the body of Christ implies . . .
- being made in the image of God is not simply understood in individual terms.
- a deeply meaningful connection reflecting the ancient Hebrew view of a group as a cohesive whole or unity.
- we are in not just embodied by ourselves; we are embodied with Christ.
- all of the above.
A: all of the above.

Q: What did Gnostics, from the early days of the church, believe about creation?
- It was made by an evil being and was therefore distorted from the beginning.
- Creation is to be cared for as a gift from God.
- Human bodies are “good,” even though the rest of creation is fallen.
- It is impossible to transcend our bodies through meditation.
A: It was made by an evil being and was therefore distorted from the beginning.

Q: What is/are the implication(s) of the Gnostic influence for psychology and faith?
- Science, technology, and other human activities are viewed as extremely valuable.
- It would be better to focus on saving souls than doing psychological science.
- Bodies are very important to understand when considering human nature.
- Both B and C are potential implications of the Gnostic view.
A: It would be better to focus on saving souls than doing psychological science.

Q: As related to faith and psychology, the concept of transcendence implies what?
- Science is capable of telling us a lot about our mental lives and our human nature.
- Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
- People are able to achieve righteousness by their own efforts.
- We are able to rise beyond physical existence and experience ideas in an abstract world.
A: We are able to rise beyond physical existence and experience ideas in an abstract world.

Q: According to Moes and Tellinghuisen, what is shown by the case studies of individuals with brain dysfunction (e.g., the case of S—with amygdala dysfunction)?
- They illustrate that our conscious experience is very much what the body does.
- Individuals with brain dysfunction can experience a loss of willful control over emotions or actions.
- It is very possible to “transcend” our physical shortcomings—even when key parts of the brain are involved.
- Both A and B are true.
A: Both A and B are true.

Q: According to psychologist Elizabeth Lewis Hall, the purpose of bodies is to . . .
- carry the soul around.
- allow us to interact with world (including people), allowing us to form relationships.
- remind us of our limitations and sinfulness.
- provide us with a vehicle for emotional expression—but not for rational thought (that is confined to the soul).
A: allow us to interact with world (including people), allowing us to form relationships.

Q: Evolutionary psychology tries to explain how behavior came to be. What else does this field try to explain?
- How primate behavior is very different from human behavior.
- How mirror neurons send electrical signals in the brain.
- The main purpose or function of a behavior.
- The influence of culture on gender differences.
A: The main purpose or function of a behavior.

Q: A study on estrogen levels in women and sexual attraction found that . . .
- during periods of high estrogen levels, women found more masculine looking men to be more attractive.
- most women have very high estrogen levels all the time, which is why they are much more loving than men.
- during periods of low estrogen levels, women did not find any men attractive.
- women were able to “transcend” their cyclical estrogen levels and therefore showed the same level of attraction for men all the time.
A: during periods of high estrogen levels, women found more masculine looking men to be more attractive.

Q: According to neurologist Antonio Damasio, the close connection between body (brain) and mind suggests that human experiences such as love, friendship, and compassion . . .
- are not real—they are simply the products of brain cells and hormones functioning normally.
- are greater than the sum of our neurological parts, and cannot be reduced to the simple “nuts and bolts” of body function.
- exist entirely outside of our body; they function in a separate mind/soul.
- are determined by our social experiences and are not willfully chosen.
A: are greater than the sum of our neurological parts, and cannot be reduced to the simple “nuts and bolts” of body function.