Exam 1: Introduction to Perception

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

(a)

For perceiving the brightness of a light, the graph of log magnitude estimate as a function of log stimulus intensity would show a logarithmic relationship, with a gradual increase in perceived brightness as the stimulus intensity increases.

For perceiving line length, the graph would also show a logarithmic relationship, with a gradual increase in perceived length as the stimulus intensity increases.

For perceiving electric shock, the graph would show a more exponential relationship, with a rapid increase in perceived shock intensity as the stimulus intensity increases.

(b)

The slopes of the lines of the log/log plot relate to the concepts of response compression and response expansion. In response compression, the slope of the line is less than 1, indicating that a small change in stimulus intensity results in a large change in perceived magnitude. This can be seen in the perception of electric shock, where a small increase in stimulus intensity leads to a large increase in perceived shock intensity. In response expansion, the slope of the line is greater than 1, indicating that a large change in stimulus intensity is needed to produce a small change in perceived magnitude. This can be seen in the perception of brightness, where a large increase in stimulus intensity is needed to produce a small increase in perceived brightness.

(c)

These slopes relate to Stevens's Power Law, which states that the perceived magnitude of a stimulus is proportional to a power of the stimulus intensity. The slopes of the lines in the log/log plot represent the exponent in Stevens's Power Law. For example, in the perception of brightness, the slope would represent the exponent for the power law for brightness perception. This demonstrates how the perceived magnitude of a stimulus changes with changes in stimulus intensity, as described by Stevens's Power Law.