Unit 4 - Sensation and perception - multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT an example of a monocular visual depth perception cue?

(A) Texture gradient

(B) Motion parallax

(C) Interposition

(D) Opponent process

(E) Relative size

D

The four basic gustatory sensations that most animals possess are

(A) bitter, salty, tangy, sour

(B) salty, sweet, bitter, sour

(C) smooth, grainy, cold, hot

(D) grain, fruit, meat, vegetable

(E) salty, sharp, sour, bitter

B

Cats tend to notice slight movements under low lightening conditions with greater ease than do humans; they do not, however, find it easy to distinguish colors. This is primarily due to their retinas containing, in comparison to humans

(A) relatively fewer numbers of amarcine cells and relatively more bipolar cells

(B) relatively fewer numbers of ganglion cells and relatively more osmoreceptors

(C) Relatively fewer numbers of cilia and relatively more optic nerve cells

(D) Relatively fewer numbers of cones and relatively more rods

(E) Relatively fewer numbers of mechanoreceptors and relatively more ossicles

D

The Gestalt concept of perceptual continuity refers to

(A) our tendency to see objects near to each other as belonging to the same group

(B) our tendency to see objects that are closer to us as larger than objects that are farther away

(C) our tendency to see fluid or complete forms rather than irregular or incomplete forms

(D) our tendency to see similar-looking objects as part of the same group

(E) our tendency to see two slightly different images from each of our eyes

C

Which of the following would be the best illustration of Weber's law?

(A) As sound increases to 80 decibels from 40 decibels, most peoples can recognize that one sound is louder than the other. However, if the two sounds are given at 80 and 82 decibels respectively, most people would not recognize the difference between the two sounds.

(B) A person can recognize an imperceptible amount of perfume in a ten foot-by-ten-foot room.

(C) People cannot attend to more then one stimulus at a time.

(D) A person has the ability to tell the difference between a 20 watt bulb and a 100 watt bulb 50 percent of the time.

(E) All auditory stimuli above a certain frequency "sound" as if their frequencies are the same.

A

When physical energy is transformed into neural impulses, it is referred to as

(A) reception.

(B) transduction.

(C) perception.

(D) sensation.

(E) induction.

B

An object as it appears in the world as a visual stimulus is referred to as the

(A) distal simulation

(B) proximal stimulus

(C) figure

(D) ground

(E) retinal image

A

The order of the bones in the middle ear is

(A) incus, malleaus, stapes

(B) stapes, malleaus, incus

(C) stapes, incus, malleaus

(D) malleaus, stapes, incus

(E) malleaus, incus, stapes

E

The amount of a stimulus required to determine that a stimulus has changed just a little bit is called the

(A) difference threshold

(B) absolute threshold

(C) just noticeable difference

(D) just noticeable threshold

(E) taste aversion

C

The part of the eye responsible for receiving photons of the light then translating them into neural messages is the

(A) sclera

(B) lens

(C) cornea

(D) pupil

(E) retina

E

The part of the ear responsible for translating information into neural impulses is the

(A) pinna

(B) cochlea

(C) semicircular canals

(D) tympanic membrane

(E) incus

B

The part of the eye responsible for opening and closing to allow in more or less light is the

(A) sclera

(B) pupil

(C) lens

(D) retina

(E) cornea

B

Assume you would like to look at the stars tonight. Since it is dark, you should try to use which cells in the eye to get a good look?

(A) rods

(B) cones

(C) retina

(D) fovea

(E) periphery

A

The part of the brain responsible for coding auditory information is the

(A) temporal lobe

(B) occipital lobe

(C) somatosensory cortex

(D) frontal lobe

(E) hypothalamus

A

The part of the brain responsible for coding visual information is the

(A) temporal lobe

(B) somatosensory cortex

(C) hypothalamus

(D) occipital lobe

(E) frontal lobe

D

The _____________ is the first structure involved in focusing the photons of light.

(A) cornea

(B) lens

(C) retina

(D) sclera

(E) vitreous humor

A

In the signal detection theory, when a participant responds that a stimulus was present and it was, the response is called a

(A) Correct rejection

(B) ROC curves

(C) Miss

(D) Hit

(E) False positive

D

A cue used to understand distance is

(A) pragnanz

(B) linear perspective

(C) Ponzo illusion

(D) Good continuation

(E) Proximity

B

The structure of the eye that changes shape to accommodate the closeness or distance of an object is the

(A) cornea

(B) retina

(C) lens

(D) sclera

(E) iris

C

The structure of the ear that is responsible for gathering sound initially is the

(A) pinna

(B) tympanic membrane

(C) cochlea

(D) semicircular canals

(E) stapes

A

The receptor cells that make the transduction for the auditory system are called the

(A) basilar membrane

(B) hair cells

(C) cochlea

(D) semicircular canals

(E) stapes

B

The cells responsible for coding for color in the eye are the

(A) rods

(B) iris

(C) cones

(D) retina

(E) fovea

C

The point of focus for the eye that contains mostly cones is the

(A) rods

(B) iris

(C) cones

(D) retina

(E) fovea

E

The ______________ carry information from the rods and cones back out to the ganglion cells and then out the brain.

(A) Amacrine cells

(B) Bipolar cells

(C) Optic nerve

(D) Occipital lobe

(E) Temporal lobe

B

The structure that contains the main receptor cells in the auditory system is the

(A) semicircular canals

(B) tympanic membrane

(C) pinna

(D) malleaus

(E) cochlea

E

Mechanical energy of vibrations is transduced to the electrochemical energy of neural impulses at the

(A) retina

(B) lens

(C) cochlea

(D) olfactory mucosa

(E) taste buds

C

Of the following, which bend incoming light rays to focus an image on the retina?

I. cornea

II. iris

III. lens

(A) I only

(B) II only

(C) III only

(D) I and III only

(E) I, II, III

D

When food supplies may be unsafe, which of the following would have an adaptive advantage over most other people?

I. supertasters

II. average tasters

III. nontasters

(A) I only

(B) II only

(C) III only

(D) I and III only

(E) I, II, III

A

On its way to the cones and rods of the eye, (in order) light passes through the

(A) cornea, vitreous humor, lens, iris, aqueous humor

(B) sclera, lens, pupil, iris, vitreous humor

(C) cornea, aqueous humor, pupil, lens, vitreous humor

(D) sclera, aqueous humor, lens, pupil, vitreous humor

(E) retina, vitreous humor, lens, iris, aqueous humor, fovea

C

Neural impulses go directly to the cortex without passing through the thalamus from receptors in the

(A) retina

(B) joints

(C) cochlea

(D) olfactory epithelium

(E) taste buds

D

Of the following, which is not a basic taste?

(A) sweet

(B) salty

(C) peppery

(D) bitter

(E) sour

C

Receptors for kinesthesis are located in the

(A) retina

(B) joints

(C) semicircular canals

(D) olfactory epithelium

(E) taste buds

B

Carlos was just able to perceive a difference in weight when Maria removed two of the 50 jelly beans from his plastic bag. It is most likely that if Carlos had the jumbo bag of 100 jelly beans, the smallest number of jelly beans he could notice removed would be

(A) 2

(B) 4

(C) 8

(D) 16

(E) 20

B

Conventional hearing aids may restore hearing by

(A) restoring functionality to a badly punctured eardrum

(B) amplifying vibrations conducted by facial bones to the cochlea

(C) translating sounds into electrical signals wired into the cochlea's nerves

(D) stimulating the semicircular canals to transduce sound waves

(E) converting sound waves to radio waves

B

The theory that best accounts for the experience of pain is

(A) the opponent-process theory

(B) Weber's law

(C) The trichromatic theory

(D) The direct perception theory

(E) The gate-control theory

E

Which sense is least involved in enabling you to maintain your balance when you stand on one foot?

(A) kinesthesis

(B) olfaction

(C) vision

(D) vestibular sense

(E) somatosensation

B

Although sound comes from speakers on the sides of the room, viewers watching a movie perceive the sound coming from the screen. This phenomenon is best accounted for by

(A) visual capture

(B) proximity

(C) closure

(D) opponent-processes

(E) feature-detection

A

Your tendency to see the words "went" and "ties," rather than the word "twenties" when you look at T WENT TIES is best explained by the organizing principle of

(A) bottom-up processing

(B) closure

(C) continuity

(D) figure-ground

(E) proximity

E

A landscape painting shows boats on a lake in the foreground and mountains farther away. Of the following, which cue would not contribute to your perception that the mountains are farther away than the boats in the picture?

(A) texture gradient

(B) linear perspective

(C) relative height

(D) retinal disparity

(E) interposition

D

When a fortune teller claims to have the ability to see what the person you will meet and marry 10 years from now will look like, the person is professing to possess the ability of

(A) telepathy

(B) clairvoyance

(C) precognition

(D) telekinesis

(E) top-down processing

C

Sensation refers to the

(A) detection of stimulus energy from the environment

(B) conversion of stimulus energy into neural code

(C) organization and interpretation of stimulus energy

(D) adaptation to an unchanging stimulus, resulting in diminished sensitivity

(E) relaying of information that occurs in the brain

A

When Sue first went outside she found the cold unbearable. She complained how cold it was, but after a while the temperature did not seem to bother her. Which sensational process allowed Sue to tolerate the cold?

(A) transduction

(B) selective attention

(C) sensory adaptation

(D) accommodation

(E) perceptual set

C

The height of a sound wave determines the

(A) pitch

(B) frequency

(C) timbre

(D) loudness

(E) transduction

D

_________ are the receptor cells for audition and _________ are the receptor cells for vision.

(A) olfactory cells; rods and cones

(B) taste buds; rods and cones

(C) rods and cones; hair cells

(D) hair cells; rods and cones

(E) proprioceptors; rods and cones

D

The optic chiasm is

(A) responsible for color vision

(B) where the optic nerve leaves the eye, causing a blind spot

(C) where the optic nerves cross over to report information to opposite sides of the brain

(D) where information from rods and cones is passed to the ganglion cells

(E) responsible for detecting fine details

C

All sensory information is sent to the thalamus EXCEPT

(A) taste

(B) vision

(C) audition

(D) touch

(E) smell

E

John complains that when he gets out of bed that he feels dizzy. He also says his ears hurt. Why is John commenting that his ears hurt?

(A) The inner ear, specifically the semicircular canals and vestibular sacs, provide information for the vestibular sense, which monitors balance

(B) The inner ear, specifically the hammer, anvil and stirrup, provide information for the vestibular sense, which monitors balance

(C) The middle ear, specifically the semicircular canals and vestibular sacs, provide information to the vestibular sense, which monitors balance

(D) The outer ear, specifically the semicircular canals and vestibular sacs, provide information to the kinesthetic sense, which monitors balance

(E) The middle ear, specifically the semicircular canals and vestibular sacs, provide information to the kinesthetic sense, which monitors balance

A

According to the Gestalt principle of proximity

(A) objects that display the same features are grouped together

(B) objects that are close together are interpreted as belonging together

(C) monocular cues allow the size of an object to remain constant

(D) binocular cues allow the color of an object to remain constant

(E) objects that are farther away look as if they are moving more slowly than do closer objects

B

Study subjects were placed in a darkened room and told to focus on a single stationary point of light on the wall. After a few minutes subjects reported that the point of light was moving. This apparent movement is known as

(A) phi phenomenon

(B) the Gestalt law of proximity

(C) stroboscopic motion

(D) the autokinetic effect

(E) perceptual constancy

D

Devin understands that when a door is opening it does not lose its original shape. This is known as

(A) perceptual ability

(B) inattentional blindness

(C) constancy

(D) proximity

(E) closure

C

Armando was tearing up old papers when he realized that he had accidentally torn up the homework that was due the next day. Because Armando knew what his homework was he was able to put the pieces back together with relative ease. Armando used which organizational strategy to reconstruct his homework?

(A) Bottom-up processing

(B) Top-down processing

(C) Similarity processing

(D) Perceptual blindness

(E) The cocktail-party effect

B

Which of the following would be most difficult for a person who only had one eye?

(A) inserting a toothpick into a horizontal straw

(B) watching a movie at a theatre

(C) correctly identifying the color of a car

(D) organizing objects into similar patterns or colors

(E) understanding that a line continues despite a break in it

A

The ability to talk on the phone and type on the computer at the same time is the result of

(A) bottom-up processing

(B) perceptual processing

(C) selective attention

(D) closure

(E) convergence

C

Laticia is listening to her teacher conduct a lesson on the parts and functions of the brain. Laticia can distinguish her teacher from the board because of which Gestalt principle?

(A) proximity

(B) closure

(C) similarity

(D) continuity

(E) figure-ground

E

The purpose of the pupil is to

(A) focus light on the retina

(B) process color

(C) allow light into the eye

(D) enable night vision

(E) detect specific shapes

C

Awareness, integration, and organization of information into meaningful information is known as

(A) sensation

(B) perception

(C) illusions

(D) false perception

(E) convergence

B

Cells that can respond to specific edges, line, angles, and movements are called

(A) rods

(B) cones

(C) ganglion cells

(D) feature detections

(E) bipolar cells

D

Signal detection theory is most closely associated with

(A) vision

(B) sensory adaptation

(C) absolute threshold

(D) hearing

(E) context effects

C

Which of the following represents perceptual constancy?

(A) We recognize the taste of McDonald's food each time we eat it.

(B) In the photos with people, the people almost always are perceived as figure and everything else as ground.

(C) We know that the brightness of a printed page has not changed as it moves from sunlight to shadow.

(D) From the time they are very young, most people can recognize the smell of a dentist's office.

(E) The cold water in a lake doesn't seem so cold after you have been swimming in it for a few minutes.

C

Our tendency to see faces in clouds and other ambiguous stimuli is partly based on

(A) selective attention

(B) ESP

(C) Perceptual set

(D) Shape constancy

(E) Bottom-up processing

C

Our rods and cones electromagnetic energy into neural messages

(A) adapt

(B) accommodate

(C) parallel process

(D) transduce

(E) perceptually set

D

Which of the following is most likely to influence our memory in a painful event?

(A) The overall length of the event

(B) The intensity of pain at the end of the event

(C) The reason for the pain

(D) The amount of rest you've had in the 24 hours preceding the event

(E) The specific part of the body that experiences the pain

B

Frequency theory relates to the

(A) rate at which the basilar membrane vibrates

(B) number of fibers in the auditory nerve

(C) point at which the basilar membrane exhibits the most vibration

(D) decibel level of a sound

(E) number of hair cells in each cochlea

A

All except one of the following demonstrate a difference threshold. The exception represents an absolute threshold. Which of the following represents an absolute threshold?

(A) a guitar player knows that his D string has just gone out of tune

(B) a photographer can tell that the natural light available for a photograph has just faded slightly

(C) your friends amazes you by correctly identifying unlabeled glasses of Coke and Pepsi

(D) a cook can just barely taste the salt she has added to her soup

(E) your mom throws out the milk because she says the taste is "off"

D

The Gestalt psychologists were interested in

(A) depth perception and how it allows us to survive in the world

(B) why we see an object near us as closer rather than larger

(C) how an organized whole is formed out of its component pieces

(D) what the smallest units of perception are

(E) the similarities between shape constancy and size constancy

C

The hammer, anvil, and stirrup

(A) process only high frequency sounds

(B) process only low frequency sounds

(C) make up a frame that supports the eardrum

(D) transmit sound waves to the cochlea

(E) hold the hair cells that enable hearing

D

Which of the following might result from a disruption of your vestibular sense?

(A) inability to detect the position of your arm without looking at it

(B) loss of the ability to detect bitter tastes

(C) dizziness and a loss of balance

(D) an inability to detect pain

(E) loss of color vision

C

Which of the following is not a Gestalt grouping principle?

(A) proximity

(B) similarity

(C) closure

(D) continuity

(E) figure-ground

E

The two monocular depth cues that are most responsible for our ability to know that a jet flying high overhead is at an elevation of several miles are relative size and

(A) relative motion

(B) retinal disparity

(C) interposition

(D) light and shadow

(E) linear perspective

A

Which of the following phrases describes top-down processing?

(A). the entry level data captured by our various sensory systems

(B). the effect that our experiences and expectations have on perception

(C). our tendency to scan a visual field from top to bottom

(D). our inclination to follow a predetermined set of steps, beginning with step 1, to process sound

(E). the fact that information is processed by the higher regions of the brain before it reaches lower brain

B