Deck 5: Perception and the Senses

Question 1

The process whereby our sense organs receive raw physical or chemical energy from the natural world is called

A) perceiving
B) knowing
C) sensing
D) experiencing

Answer 1

C

Question 2

When the brain organizes and interprets sensory signals so that we are conscious of those sensations, that is known as

A) sensation
B) transduction
C) cognition
D) perception

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following best describes a distinction between sensation and perception?

A)Sensation is something that happens to your sense organs and neurons; perception is something that happens in consciousness.
B) Perception is something that happens to your sense organs and neurons; sensation is something that happens to you.
C) Sensation is something that happens slowly when you are paying attention to something, perception happens automatically.
D) Perception is the only way to directly interact with the world; all sensations are illusory.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Researchers who study the relationship between physical stimuli and how they are perceived via the senses are known as

A) psychotherapists
B) Gestalt psychologists
C) psychophysicists
D) perceptual cognitive scientists

Question 5

What is so unusual about disorders like motion blindness?

A) sensation and perception cause nausea
B) sensing and perception are no longer seamlessly linked
C) sensation becomes impossible
D) the movements of the eye become erratic

Question 6

Not only must a sound be within our sensory range to hear it, it must also reach this for our sensory receptors to register it.

A) just noticeable difference
B) absolute threshold
C) strength activation
D) visual threshold

Question 7

For a psychophysicist the just noticeable difference (JND) between two sensations is

A)equal to the number of times the sensation is experienced
B) a threshold for distinguishing between changes in sensory stimuli
C) the number of weights needed to adjust sensations in different contexts
D) usually less than the absolute threshold of a stimulus

Question 8

According to Weber's law, which of the following is true about the JND?

A) it is always directly proportionate to the level of the standard
B) it is constant across all levels of the standard
C) it is much smaller in olfactory sensation than in auditory sensation
D) it describes the amount of time needed to register a JND

Question 9

This theory emerged explain the interaction between human judgment and bias and the detection of stimuli.

A) Weber's law
B) just noticeable difference theory
C) response bias theory
D) signal detection theory

Question 10

In signal detection theory, this attribute of an environment acknowledges that in our natural environment, there are always many stimuli competing for our attention.

A)response bias
B) noise
C) distortion
D) signal

Question 11

If you were eagerly expecting a phone call from your new romantic partner, you might find yourself mistaking all sorts of irrelevant sounds for the sound of your ringtone. This is an example of

A) response bias
B) noise
C) distortion
D) signal

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the phenomena known as sensory adaptation.

A)The scent of cologne coming from the apartment next door to Madeline was unavoidable and eventually, she confronted her neighbor about it.
B) Terry's dorm floor includes one person who blares loud music late into the night, and he is unable to sleep because of the noise.
C) Though most people are disgusted by the smell of cow dung, Adam hardly notices the smell when milking the cows on his parent's farm.
D) When Harry smells perfume, he is always instantly reminded of his first date.

Question 13

If messages or images are flashed much too briefly to reach conscious awareness, but the images have an implicit effect on some later behavior or thought process, this is known as

A) classical conditioning
B) subliminal perception
C) implicit learning
D) mere perception effect

Question 14

This phenomenon is used to good advantage by advertisers in product placement campaigns, where it is not necessary to provide any information whatever about a product beyond the fact that it is being used by a character in a film, TV show, music video, or video game.

A) mere exposure effect
B) subliminal messaging effect
C) change blindness effect
D) implicit attitude effect

Question 15

What can be concluded from studies of subliminal persuasion on consumers?

A)behavioral evidence of subliminal persuasion was first discovered in 1957.
B)no convincing evidence exists that subliminal persuasion is even possible.
C) subliminal persuasion is only possible if the concealed message is visual.
D) subliminal persuasion is a function of the links between the visual cortex and motor cortex.

Question 16

What result did Pratkanis (1994) report from his controlled experiment on subliminal self-help tapes?

A) the group that received memory tapes scored higher on standard memory tests than the control group.
B) both groups reported improvements in the areas they were told would improve, regardless of what tape they received.
C) both the memory and the self-esteem group scored higher on self esteem after listening to the tapes
D) no participants reported improvements in self-esteem but their memory-test scores improved significantly.

Question 17

The human eye processes light, which is a form of

A)electrophysical stimulation
B)electromagnetic radiation
C) air pressure
D) electrochemical radiation

Question 18

This dimension of energy, which corresponds to our perception of color, is one way to distinguish the visible spectrum of light.

A) amplitude
B) saturation
C) wavelength
D) hue

Question 19

The intensity of a light or sound source is also known as

A) amplitude
B) frequency
C) wavelength
D) radiation

Question 20

In order to reach the retina, light must pass first through this transparent membrane that covers the entire eye.

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

Question 21

When an eye doctor dilates her patient's pupil, this part of the eye, also distinguished by its color, expands to let more light in.

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

Question 22

Like a camera, the eye has this transparent structure to enable sharper focus of light upon the retina.

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

Question 23

The light-sensitive membrane that covers most of the eye's inner surface is called the

A) iris
B) lens
C) retina
D) vitreous humor

Question 24

All of the following statements about the retina are true, EXCEPT

A)The retina is the only part of the eye that interacts with light.
B)The retina contains cells that transduce light into neural energy.
C) The retina constructs a two-dimensional, right-side-up image of the world.
D) The retina houses the rods and cones.

Question 25

Transduction of light into neural energy is accomplished by the

A)vitreous humor
B) lens
C) photoreceptors
D) proprioreceptors

Question 26

The longest part of light's journey from the outside world to the retina is for it to pass through this.

A) lens
B) vitreous humor
C) cornea
D) iris

Question 27

The photoreceptors that respond well in low light, and to motion, but are not specialized for detailed vision are called

A) cones
B) rods
C) ganglions
D) bipolar cells

Question 28

You may be aware of the adjustment of these cells in your retina as they adapt to the darkness when you turn the lights out before bed.

A) cones
B) ganglions
C) rods
D) bipolar cells

Question 29

Most of the cones in the retina are concentrated in this small area in the center of the retina.

A) vitreous humor
B) iris
C) fovea
D) ganglion

Question 30

The optic nerve is composed of

A) the axons of retinal cells
B) the branches of visual connective tissue
C) the axons of eye-muscle cells
D) the dendrites of the optic disc

Question 31

This section of the retina has no rods or cones and is therefore "blind."

A)optic chiasm
B) lateral geniculate nucleus
C) optic nerve
D) optic disk

Question 32

Why do we not perceive or notice the blind spot of the retina during the normal course of our lives?

A) The position of the blind spot is in the extreme periphery of our vision
B)Because the fovea is not affected by the blind spot
C) The brain "fills in" the missing information for us based on experience
D) The muscles of the eye prevent light from entering that area

Question 33

The information collected by the retinas and transmitted to the brain is integrated and interpreted in this area of the brain

A) visual cortex
B) parietal cortex
C) temporal cortex
D) frontal cortex

Question 34

What does it mean to say that objects and light waves do not have color?

A) Color is an illusion created by sensory transduction of light intensity.
B) Color is constructed based on the brain's interpretation of wavelengths reflected off of objects.
C) Color is constructed by the cells in the retina based on the timing of sensations received in each eye.
D) Color is a property of the intensity and wavelength of photons.

Question 35

Hermann von Helmholtz elaborated on the additive color mixture process to create this theory of color vision.

A) monochromatic
B) opponent process
C) trichromatic
D) pigment transduction

Question 36

According to the trichromatic theory of color vision, cones can be categorized based on

A)the location of a cone in one of three parts of the fovea
B) the peak sensitivity of a cone to the intensity of a light source
C) the peak sensitivity of a cone to one of three spectrums of wavelength
D) the level of inhibition in a cone relatively to three wavelengths of light

Question 37

When a person inherits genes that limit the function of medium and long wavelength cones it results in this condition.

A) macular degeneration
B) blue-yellow color deficiency
C) red-green color deficiency
D) glaucoma

Question 38

According to this theory, colors are mixed in the following pairs: blue / yellow, red /green, and black / white.

A) trichromatic theory
B) monocular theory
C) opponent process theory
D) additive color theory

Question 39

This sense transduces vibrations in the air into neural signals.

A) vision
B) audition
C) somatosensation
D) olafaction

Question 40

This property of sound is measured in decibels and varies according to the intensity of the sound source.

A) amplitude
B) wavelength
C) pressure
D) pitch height

Question 41

As the frequency of a sound wave increases we hear it as an increase in

A) volume
B) heat
C) pitch
D) timbre

Question 42

Most people refer to this structure as the ear, but it is actually just the outer projection of the ear.

A) oval window
B) cochlea
C) ear canal
D) pinna

Question 43

After sounds are collected, they are funneled through the __________, an outer ear structure whose primary purpose is to protect the __________ membrane tightly stretched across it at the end.

A) vesicle; tympanic
B) tympanic, ear canal
C) ear canal, tympanic
D) oval window, ear canal

Question 44

This part of the ear, also called the ear drum, transfers sound vibrations to the ossicles of the middle ear.

A) tympanic membrane
B) basilar membrane
C) cochlea
D) auditory membrane

Question 45

This is the central auditory component of the inner ear, and by the time sound vibrations reach it, they have been amplified dozens of times.

A) ossicle
B) tympanic membrane
C) oval window
D) cochlea

Question 46

The collection of fibers in the cochlea that ripples in response to sound vibrations is called the

A) oval window
B) basilar membrane
C) tympanic membrane
D) auditory nerve

Question 47

Which of the following best describes the path of stimulation in auditory sensation and perception?

A) the auditory nerve relays information to the thalamus via the temporal lobe
B) the basilar membrane conveys information to the thalamus via the oval window
C) the auditory nerve relays information to the temporal lobe via the thalamus
D) the tympanic membrane relays information to the temporal lobe via the thalamus

Question 48

All of the following aspects of sound location are true, EXCEPT:

A) The brain factors in both the time of arrival and loudness of a sound source to locate it.
B)Your head dampens sounds such that volume is different in both ears according to the location of a sound.
C) Sounds from the left side of your head will appear louder to your right ear then to your left ear.
D) Sounds from the right side of your head will arrive at your right ear slightly before your left ear.

Question 49

Knowledge of this system of communication is a defining component of being a part of Deaf culture.

A) lip-reading
B) American Sign Language
C) American English
D) email

Question 50

Olfaction and gustation similar sensory systems is that both rely on

A) electrical signals
B) chemical signals
C) synthetic signals
D) organic signals

Question 51

This patch of mucus membrane in the nose contains about 20 million olfactory receptors.

A) olfactory epithelium
B) olfactory bulb
C) lateral geniculate
D) olfactory nerve

Question 52

Why is the nose considered the quickest route to the brain of all sense organs?

A)Odorants cause quick reactions in animals and humans
B) Pheromones are hormone-like chemicals that organize human sexual and aggressive behavior.
C) The olfactory bulb and other areas of the frontal cortex receive signals directly from the nose, bypassing the thalamus.
D) Chemical bonding in the nose occurs more quickly than transduction in the other senses.

Question 53

Some pheromones are called primer pheromones because

A) they prime the responses of non-human animals to human interaction
B)they are involved in primary olfaction but not the perception of odor
C) they prime certain reproductive responses in men and women
D) they are located in the primary olfactory bulb region of the cortex

Question 54

Which of the following is not true regarding the effect of pheromones?

A) Pheromones can affect hormone release.
B) Pheromones can alter internal psychological states.
C) Pheromones can affect sexual and emotional brain states.
D) Pheromones can directly influence the behavior of other people.

Question 55

Taste receptors transduce taste signals and send them to the thalamus along

A)the taste nerve
B) the olfactory nerve
C) the cranial nerves
D) the gustatory nerves

Question 56

The primary and secondary taste cortices of the brain are located in the

A) temporal lobe
B) parietal lobe
C) frontal lobe
D) occipital lobe

Question 57

According to the text, why is it that fatty is a better candidate for a "fifth" taste than umami?

A) Umami was only created to encourage manufacturers to use monosodium glutamate
B)The brain does not respond to savory or salty foods.
C) A preference for fatty, high calorie foods is relatively universal in humans.
D) Umami helps distinguish between fermented cheese and fresh cheese.

Question 58

Though taste is accomplished by the taste buds alone, flavors are a product of taste and

A) olfaction
B) sight
C) transduction
D) gustation

Question 59

Our bodies are sensitive to touch through the skin, but also have this sense, our awareness of our limbs and muscles.

A) nociceptive sense
B) kinesthetic sense
C) muscular sense
D) thermoceptive sense

Question 60

These receptors for tactation are embedded in the layers of our skin, and can be manipulated by physical pressure and psychological suggestion.

A) proprioceptors
B) nociceptors
C) tactile sensors
D) mechanoreceptors

Question 61

The perception of temperature is accomplished by these receptors embedded in the skin.

A) thermoreceptors
B) mechanoreceptors
C) proprioceptors
D) nociceptors

Question 62

Though there are no specific receptors designed to receive pain, nociceptors are characterized as

A) mechanoreceptors embedded in muscles and inner organs
B)free nerve endings anywhere in the body
C) sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system
D) efferent neurons in the spinal column

Question 63

Why is the transmission of first pain much quicker than the transmission of second pain?

A)first pain is conveyed along myelinated A-delta fibers
B) second pain is conveyed along unmyelinated C-fibers
C) first pain is conveyed along unmyelinated A-fibers
D) second pain is conveyed along myelinated C-delta fibers

Question 64

Second pain is more closely related to learning and motivation than first pain because

A)it is slower and generally more unpleasant than first pain.
B)it blocks the delivery of endorphins to the spinal gate
C) it depends on afferent fibers of the somatic nervous system
D) it involves only myelinated axons and is quicker acting.

Question 65

The gelatinous mass of small neurons in the outer layer of the spinal column, known as the substantia gelatinosa is key to this theory of pain perception.

A) anti-nociceptive theory
B) rapid response theory
C) gate-control theory
D) fight or flight theory

Question 66

Gate-control theory describes the action of neurons that inhibit transmission of pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain. The signals are called

A)endorphin signals
B) anti-endorphin signals
C) beta-blocking signals
D) anti-nociceptive signals

Question 67

Engaging in an absorbing activity like video-game playing or completing a crossword puzzle can reduce pain intensity by up to 40% because

A) the activity stimulates reward circuits in the brain
B)the activity provides counterstimulation to the pain
C) the activity directs attention away from processing pain signals
D) the activity stimulates endorphin release in the brain

Question 68

One form of distraction involves physiological stimulation at other sites in the body away from the source of the pain. This is called

A) counter-irritation
B) relaxation
C) physiological distraction
D) beta-blocking

Question 69

Which of the following activities was not discussed among the alternative pain control methods in the text?

A) masturbation
B) smoking marijuana
C) listening to music
D) excersizing

Question 70

The basic premise of Gestalt psychology is that human beings have a tendency to perceive ____________ of objects and the world.

A)altered states
B) meaningful wholes
C) fragmented sensory impressions
D) isolated features

Question 71

Which of the Gestalt visual illusions best illustrates the relationship between attention to the figure and the ground of an image?

A) the Kaniza square
B) the face-urn illusion
C) the "fruit face" illusion
D) the Ponzo illusion

Question 72

Which of the following is not one of the original Gestalt perceptual grouping laws?

A) proximity
B) good continuation
C) similarity
D) change blindness

Question 73

When you are looking out a window at the street and see a parked car partially blocked by a telephone pole, you perceive the car as a whole object, even though your sensations of it are disjointed. This is due to the gestalt law of

A) proximity
B) closure
C) good continuation
D) similarity

Question 74

The visual cliff experiment by Gibson and Walk (1960) demonstrated that infants would crawl over a glass table over a steep drop only if

A)they have not yet developed depth perception
B) they do not understand the Gestalt law of good continuation
C) their retinas are not fully developed
D) their parents were positioned at the opposite end of the table.

Question 75

Much in the way that stereophonic sound creates an illusion of depth by emphasizing different sounds in different speakers, your retinas collect slightly different images of the world which allow for this binocular depth cue.

A)retinal eccentricity
B) retianal disparity
C) retinal convergence
D) retinal perspective

Question 76

The binocular depth cue, convergence, works because

A) your eyes see slightly different images which converge in the brain
B)objects that are closer to you stimulate larger areas of the retina
C) the muscles of the eyes send signals to the brain as they converge on an object
D) the convergence of two lines in the distance gives the illusion of a horizon.

Question 77

The Ames room, in which people can appear to be large or small depending upon their position in the room, most exploits this monocular depth cue.

A)linear perspective
B) size constancy
C) interposition
D) relative size

Question 78

The Ponzo illusion where two equally sized squares look to be different sizes because of their position relative to the other elements of the figure is an example of this monocular depth cue.

A) linear perspective
B) size constancy
C) interposition
D) relative size

Question 79

Unlike the binocular depth cues, the monocular depth cues depend greatly on

A)the mental assumptions of humans about our environments
B)the motion of the eyes and the tension of the eye muscles
C) the physical distance between the retina and the object in the world
D) the mental assumptions about the way the eye works

Question 80

As your friend drives away from you, the image of her car cases an increasingly smaller image on your retina, but you do not perceive the car shrinking. This is because of

A)size constancy
B) shape constancy
C) linear constancy
D) color constancy