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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What assumption does Eagleman dismiss?

2. Who is Charles Whitman?

3. What is the orbitofrontal cortex?

4. How does Eagleman explain the phenomenon as to how men made their choices in the experiment?

5. What disease does Eagleman mention in support of his argument about free will?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the study that was performed on how men rate a woman's attractiveness.

2. What comparison of thought to wavelengths does Eagleman make?

3. How does Eagleman see many of the small sub-routines of the mind and what example does he give?

4. How does Eagleman interpret the incident?

5. Explain the physical division in the brain and what can happen if the two hemispheres are severed.

6. How does Eagleman compare the conscious mind to our senses?

7. Who is Charles Whitman and what did he do and what may have contributed to his actions?

8. What does Eagleman say about free will?

9. What does Eagleman say about our ability to perceive light versus that of insects?

10. What incident does Eagleman discuss concerning Mel Gibson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Eagleman dismisses the assumption that all people are equally equipped to make sound and rational decisions. We are all at the mercy of the unconscious workings of our minds, and our ultimate behavior is a result of the biological balance within our brain. As an example, he points out that the overwhelming number of criminals are male. This suggests that there is a genetic component to the balance among the various rival parts of the brain.

1. Do you think that all people are equally equipped to make sound and rational decisions? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

2. Do you believe you are at the mercy of your unconscious mind? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

3. What kinds of balance between emotional and rational thoughts and feelings do you encounter in your life? Does the rational or emotional part of your brain have more sway over you? Why? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Eagleman gives the reader an overview of his ideas about success in Incognito. Discuss one of the following:

1. Discuss Eagleman's opinions of three topics he discussed in relation to the brain. Do you agree or disagree with him? Why? Use examples from Incognito to support your answer.

2. Compare and contrast Eagleman's opinions from Incognito with what you might imagine Eagleman's opinion might be had he lived 100 years ago. How do you think his opinions would change? Would they remain the same? Explain fully. Use examples from Incognito to support your answer.

3. Discuss how you think Eagleman's view on several topics from this essay informs his life as a researcher. Use examples from Incognito to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Eagleman in writing about Mel Gibson cites anti-Semitism was demonstrated by Gibson. Discuss one of the following:

1. Define anti-Semitism and give examples of it from both Incognito and other sources.

2. Do you think anti-Semitism still exists in the United States? Explain.

3. Discuss the idea put forth by Eagleman that Mel Gibson may have two brains, one not prejudice and one that is. Use examples from Incognito to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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