Question 1

When two stimuli are compared, the smallest difference in stimulation that can be reliably detected by an observer is called the sensory threshold.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

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

A good answer will include the following key points.
-In early studies of sensory deprivation, researchers isolated male volunteers from all patterned sight and sound.
-Within a few hours, most of the men felt edgy and many were so disoriented that they quit the first day.
-Those subjects that continued became confused, restless, and grouchy, and many experienced hallucinations.
-Later research, using better methods, showed that hallucinations are less frequent and less disorienting than had first been thought.
-Some perceptual and intellectual abilities may actually improve.
-The response to sensory deprivation depends on expectations and interpretations.
-Those who voluntarily engage in limited periods of sensory deprivation may find it to be relaxing.

Question 3

How have researchers shown that a simple visual stimulus can affect a person's behavior? What has research revealed about subliminal persuasion?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will include the following key points.
-Subliminal perception refers to the ability of a stimulus that we are not aware of to affect our behavior.
-Non-conscious processing of sensory stimuli does occur.
-Studies demonstrate that subliminal perception can have an effect on our behavior.
-Such non-conscious processing appears to occur not only in perception, but also in memory, thinking, and decision making.
-Subliminal persuasion refers to the ability of subliminal stimuli to manipulate a person's attitudes and behavior.
-Most attempts by scientists to demonstrate subliminal persuasion have been unsuccessful.

Question 4

The intensity of a wave's pressure corresponds to the frequency of the wave.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The trichromatic theory explains:

Accepted Answer

A)   the first level of color processing, which occurs in the retina.
B)   the second level of color processing, which occurs in the ganglion cells.
C)   the third level of color processing, which occurs in the thalamus.
D)   the fourth level of color processing, which occurs in the visual cortex.

Question 6

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 7

Visual receptors that respond to dim light are called cones.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

_______________ codes rely on the fact that sensory receptors and neurons fire, or are inhibited from firing, only in the presence of specific sorts of stimuli.

Accepted Answer

A)   Temporal
B)   Anatomical
C)   Functional
D)   Utilitarian

Question 9

Procedures to determine absolute thresholds have a serious limitation based on the person's general tendency to respond either "yes" or "no" when uncertain.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Without the soft, funnel-shaped outer ear to collect sounds, it would be difficult for humans to hear.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The receptor cells for taste send tiny fibers out through an opening in the taste bud.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Grant perceives snow as remaining white on cloudy days as well as on bright ones. He is not fooled, even though the amount of light the snow reflects is different on cloudy days. Grant's perception is due to _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)   convergence
B)   relative clarity
C)   texture gradients
D)   brightness constancy

Question 13

In addition to salty, sour, bitter, and sweet, which of the following has been proposed as the fifth basic taste?

Accepted Answer

A)   caramel
B)   creamy
C)   umami
D)   pungent

Question 14

Rita's favorite navy-blue sweater is perceived as maintaining its hue whether Rita is outdoors or indoors. But the wavelengths of light reaching Rita's eyes change as the illumination changes. Explain why.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rita's favorite navy-blue sweater is perceived as...

Question 15

Liana is listening to National Public Radio when the satellite feed momentarily goes out for a split second. Despite the short interruption, she was able to understand the conversation. This would be an example of the Gestalt principle of _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)   continuity
B)   similarity
C)   closure
D)   proximity

Question 16

As Shane stands between the railroad tracks, the rails appear to converge in the distance. This cue to inferring depth and distance is called _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)   linear perspective
B)   retinal disparity
C)   relative clarity
D)   relative size

Question 17

Signal detection theory assumes that:

Accepted Answer

A)   a person's ability to detect a stimulus depends only on the stimulus.
B)   people will always be biased toward thinking the stimulus was not there, even if it was.
C)   a person's response depends on the stimulus and on a decision about it.
D)   people will always be biased toward thinking the stimulus was there, even if it wasn't.

Question 18

Miley is thinking about buying a subliminal message CD that is supposed to make her more assertive at work. Based on the information in your textbook, what should you tell her?

Accepted Answer

A)   "Be careful; subliminal messages are very powerful."
B)   "Subliminal messages only work when the person does not know they are being used."
C)   "Few studies have been done on the effectiveness of subliminal messages."
D)   "There is little evidence that subliminal messages can be used to persuade people to do anything."

Question 19

In a signal detection task, the participant reports a signal when no signal was present. This is called a _______________.

Accepted Answer

A)   hit
B)   false alarm
C)   miss
D)   correct rejection

Question 20

Ganglion cells are neurons in the retina of the eye, which gather information from receptor cells by way of bipolar cells.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 6: Sensation and Perception

When two stimuli are compared, the smallest difference in stimulation that can be reliably detected by an observer is called the sensory threshold.

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?

How have researchers shown that a simple visual stimulus can affect a person's behavior? What has research revealed about subliminal persuasion?

The intensity of a wave's pressure corresponds to the frequency of the wave.

The trichromatic theory explains:

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

Visual receptors that respond to dim light are called cones.

_______________ codes rely on the fact that sensory receptors and neurons fire, or are inhibited from firing, only in the presence of specific sorts of stimuli.

Procedures to determine absolute thresholds have a serious limitation based on the person's general tendency to respond either "yes" or "no" when uncertain.

Without the soft, funnel-shaped outer ear to collect sounds, it would be difficult for humans to hear.

The receptor cells for taste send tiny fibers out through an opening in the taste bud.

Grant perceives snow as remaining white on cloudy days as well as on bright ones. He is not fooled, even though the amount of light the snow reflects is different on cloudy days. Grant's perception is due to _______________.

In addition to salty, sour, bitter, and sweet, which of the following has been proposed as the fifth basic taste?

Rita's favorite navy-blue sweater is perceived as maintaining its hue whether Rita is outdoors or indoors. But the wavelengths of light reaching Rita's eyes change as the illumination changes. Explain why.

Liana is listening to National Public Radio when the satellite feed momentarily goes out for a split second. Despite the short interruption, she was able to understand the conversation. This would be an example of the Gestalt principle of _______________.

As Shane stands between the railroad tracks, the rails appear to converge in the distance. This cue to inferring depth and distance is called _______________.

Signal detection theory assumes that:

Miley is thinking about buying a subliminal message CD that is supposed to make her more assertive at work. Based on the information in your textbook, what should you tell her?

In a signal detection task, the participant reports a signal when no signal was present. This is called a _______________.

Ganglion cells are neurons in the retina of the eye, which gather information from receptor cells by way of bipolar cells.