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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. How do some scientist define intelligence?

2. What does Eagleman think is a good model for how the brain works?

3. Who obtained a record of the arresting incident?

4. What were men first shown briefly?

5. What did the group do with the arresting record?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What example does Eagleman cite to demonstrate the difference between the rational and emotional mind?

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

5. What does Eagleman say is hard wired into our brains?

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

7. What does Eagleman write about Kenneth Parks?

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

9. What does Eagleman suggest about our culpability in our actions, particularly males?

10. What does Chapter 4 explore?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What we like is also determined largely by unconscious thinking and a natural tendency to like ourselves, Eagleman claims. This is called "implicit egotism," and is a well-established phenomenon, he explains. It is illustrated by the fact, for example, that people marry others with first names that start with the same letter more often than would be expected by chance. Eagleman claims this is because we implicitly prefer others that are like ourselves in some way.

1. Discuss how you feel about yourself and whether you think your feelings stem from your unconscious. Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

2. Do you think most people like themselves? Why or why not. Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

3. Do you think it is a positive trait that a person likes him/herself? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Much of what motivates us and drives our behavior is hard wired into our brains, Eagleman claims, and he provides several examples to support his argument. Experiments on babies indicate they show a tendency to look at faces. Humans seem to be predisposed, without any prior experience or learning, to be attracted to faces. Newborns also show evidence of recognizing and being attracted to the smell of their mother.

1. Do you think you are motivated by your thoughts or by something hard wired into your brain? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

2. If motivation is hard wired into us, what do you think is the reason some people force themselves to do something they do not want to do because they think it is the right thing to do? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

3. Discuss a situation in which you think you were driven or motivated to do something you did not want to do. Do you think it was you genes that drove you? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Incognito to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful work of non-fiction?

2. Analyze and discuss The Hand based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if Incognito is a successful work of non-fiction/memoir.

3. Is The Hand a book you would recommend to a friend? Why or why not? Explain.

4. Can a non-fictional book be successful and yet many readers not enjoy it? Explain your response.

(see the answer keys)

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