Question 1

This figure -O- tends to be perceived as a single line partially covered by a circle. Which Gestalt principle explains the tendency to organize the visual world in this way? Explain why.

Accepted Answer

The answer of This figure -O- tends to be perceived...

Question 2

Define sensation and perception. Explain what sense receptors are.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define sensation and perception. Explain what sense...

Question 3

After taking your best friend to the airport, you stay to watch the plane take off. As you watch it go, the image of the plane on your retinas becomes smaller and smaller. Why is it that you perceive the airplane as flying away from you instead of shrinking? Briefly explain how this works.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After taking your best friend to the...

Question 4

Sense receptors convert the energy of the stimulus to:

Accepted Answer

A)  mechanical signals. 
B)  visual signals. 
C)  electrical impulses. 
D)  vibrations.

Question 5

The perceived _______________ of a sound is related to the frequency of a sound wave.

Accepted Answer

A)  pitch 
B)  loudness 
C)  spectrum 
D)  timbre

Question 6

There are two levels of processing involved in colour vision. The first occurs in the retina and the second in the ganglion cells and in neurons in the brain. Identify and explain the theory associated with each level.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are two levels of processing involved...

Question 7

The Gestalt psychologists were especially interested in research about _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  colour vision 
B)  form perception 
C)  sensory receptors 
D)  distance perception

Question 8

In sensory deprivation studies, researchers were interested in what would happen if our senses adapted to most incoming stimuli. Explain the findings of the early studies in sensory deprivation. What has been revealed by later research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In sensory deprivation studies, researchers were interested...

Question 9

As she studies in the library, Beatrice is not aware of the pressure of her watchband on her wrist. This is likely due to:

Accepted Answer

A)  sensory adaptation. 
B)  feature detection. 
C)  saturation. 
D)  the doctrine of specific energies.

Question 10

The amplitude of a sound wave is related to our perception of _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  pitch 
B)  timbre 
C)  loudness 
D)  tonal quality

Question 11

The _______________ protects the eye and bends incoming light rays toward a lens located behind it.

Accepted Answer

A)  pupil 
B)  iris 
C)  cornea 
D)  retina

Question 12

The trichromatic theory applies to the level of processing that occurs in the:

Accepted Answer

A)  occipital lobe. 
B)  thalamus. 
C)  temporal lobe. 
D)  retina.

Question 13

In the Müller-Lyer illusion, most people perceive the line with the outward-facing branches as longer than the line with inward-facing branches, despite the fact that they are really the same length. Which of the following is a likely reason why this occurs?

Accepted Answer

A)  The eye is distracted by the branches and cannot make an accurate measurement. 
B)  The brain mistakenly interprets the branches as a depth or distance cue. 
C)  The line with outward-facing branches produces a larger image on the retina. 
D)  The branches interfere with the process of size constancy.

Question 14

The perceived _______________ of a sound is related to the amplitude of a sound wave.

Accepted Answer

A)  pitch 
B)  loudness 
C)  spectrum 
D)  timbre

Question 15

The saturation (colourfulness) of a visual stimulus is related to the _______________ of the light.

Accepted Answer

A)  intensity 
B)  complexity 
C)  amplitude 
D)  wavelength

Question 16

The complexity of light is related to our perception of _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  hue 
B)  brightness 
C)  saturation 
D)  threshold

Question 17

Which of the following is a true statement?

Accepted Answer

A)  Much of our perception occurs without our conscious awareness. 
B)  Behaviour cannot be affected by subliminal stimuli. 
C)  Subliminal perception is easy to demonstrate and replicate. 
D)  There is concrete evidence that subliminal persuasion is effective.

Question 18

The trichromatic theory states that:

Accepted Answer

A)  the visual system treats triads of colour as antagonistic to each other. 
B)  three types of colour feature detectors in the visual cortex are responsible for colour perception. 
C)  three types of cones exist, each sensitive to a certain range of wavelengths. 
D)  species that detect ultraviolet light perceive three colours that are outside of the range of humans.

Question 19

One difference between rods and cones is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  rods are sensitive to colour and cones are not. 
B)  rods are less numerous than cones. 
C)  rods are more sensitive to light than cones. 
D)  rods are located in the centre of the retina and cones in the periphery.

Question 20

Mei-Ling participated in an experiment where she had to press one button if she detected a visual stimulus and another button if she did not detect it. Five percent of the time Mei-Ling indicated a stimulus was present when it was not. From this information you can conclude that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mei-Ling has a false alarm rate of 5%. 
B)  Mei-Ling has 95% accuracy. 
C)  Mei-Ling has a 5% correct rejection rate. 
D)  Mei-Ling has a 5% miss rate.

Exam 6: Sensation and Perception