Deck 6: Sensation and Perception

Question 1

Perception is the process by which

A) stimulus energies are detected.
B) stimulus energies are transformed into neural activity.
C) sensory input is organized and interpreted by the brain.
D) nerve cells respond to specific features of a stimulus.

Answer 1

sensory input is organized and interpreted by the brain.

Question 2

Patients who have negative expectations about the outcome of a surgical procedure may experience increased postoperative pain.This best illustrates the importance of

A) subliminal stimulation.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) difference thresholds.
D) top-down processing.

Answer 2

top-down processing.

Question 3

Jake's excellent peripheral vision enabled him to detect a brief flash of light far to his left,even though he couldn't recognize what he had seen.His experience best illustrates

A) top-down processing.
B) prosopagnosia.
C) sensation.
D) priming.

Answer 3

sensation.

Question 4

Sensory nerve endings that respond to stimuli are called

A) perceptions.
B) sensory receptors.
C) sensory stimulation.
D) transduction.

Question 5

Which of the following represents the first of three steps basic to all sensory systems?

A) forming perceptual sets
B) delivering neural information to the brain
C) receiving sensory stimulation
D) transforming stimulus energies into neural impulses

Question 6

Information processing guided by higher-level mental processes is called

A) prosopagnosia.
B) signal detection.
C) top-down processing.
D) transduction.

Question 7

Shelly is shopping when she runs into a friend from high school.Based on information provided in the text,how long will it take Shelly to recognize her friend?

A) less than a second
B) 2 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) almost a minute

Question 8

Top-down processing constructs perceptions from sensory input based on

A) neural impulses.
B) signal detections.
C) absolute thresholds.
D) experiences and expectations.

Question 9

Sensation is to ________ as perception is to ________.

A) encoding;detection
B) detection;interpretation
C) interpretation;organization
D) organization;accommodation

Question 10

Berdine has developed cataracts in both eyes,preventing her from being able to identify even her mother's face.Berdine most clearly is deficient in

A) priming.
B) perceptual set.
C) bottom-up processing.
D) sensory adaptation.

Question 11

Stacey is eating lunch with a long-time friend.Which of the following helps Stacey detect information from her environment?

A) bottom-up processing
B) transduction
C) sensory receptors
D) sensory adaptation

Question 12

The process of detecting and encoding stimulus energies by the sensory receptors and the nervous system is called

A) priming.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) top-down processing.
D) sensation.

Question 13

Normal visual sensation in the absence of complete visual perception is best illustrated by

A) prosopagnosia.
B) priming.
C) the difference threshold.
D) sensory adaptation.

Question 14

Jane is talking to her friend Abigail.Jane uses her ________ to detect information about her environment.

A) sensory receptors
B) bottom-up processing
C) top-down processing
D) transduction

Question 15

Recognizing an odor as the familiar smell of apple blossoms is an example of

A) perception.
B) prosopagnosia.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) subliminal stimulation.

Question 16

Bottom-up processing involves analysis that begins with the

A) hypothalamus.
B) sensory receptors.
C) cerebral cortex.
D) absolute threshold.

Question 17

Hearing a sequence of sounds of different pitches is to ________ as recognizing the sound sequence as a familiar melody is to ________.

A) absolute threshold;difference threshold
B) sensory adaptation;signal detection
C) signal detection;sensory adaptation
D) sensation;perception

Question 18

Transduction refers to the process of

A) organizing and interpreting sensory information.
B) activating mental associations.
C) transforming stimulus energies into neural impulses.
D) drawing on our experience and expectations to construct perceptions.

Question 19

Three steps that are basic to all sensory systems include the ________ of information to the brain.

A) adaptation,stimulation,and detection
B) receiving,transforming,and delivering
C) priming,tracking,and masking
D) signal detection,transduction,and sensory adaptation

Question 20

The process by which our sensory systems transform stimulus energies into neural impulses is called

A) priming.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) transduction.
D) signal detection.

Question 21

Which of the following strategies best illustrates the use of subliminal stimulation?

A) A store plays a musical soundtrack in which a faint and imperceptible verbal warning against shoplifting is repeated frequently.
B) The laughter of a studio audience is dubbed into the soundtrack of a televised situation comedy.
C) A radio advertiser repeatedly smacks her lips before biting into a candy bar.
D) An unseen television narrator repeatedly suggests that you are thirsty while a cold drink is visually displayed on the screen.

Question 22

Which early scientist and philosopher was the first to refer to our awareness of very faint stimuli as an indication of our absolute thresholds?

A) Lee Ross
B) Gustav Fechner
C) Dennis Proffitt
D) Ernst Weber

Question 23

Under certain conditions,people are affected by stimuli so weak that they fail to consciously notice them.This is best illustrated by experiments involving

A) sensory adaptation.
B) subliminal priming.
C) perceptual set.
D) prosopagnosia.

Question 24

In experiments,an image is quickly flashed and then replaced by a masking stimulus that inhibits conscious perception of the original image.In these experiments,the researchers are studying the effects of

A) sensory adaptation.
B) the just noticeable difference.
C) subliminal messages.
D) prosopagnosia.

Question 25

A subliminal message is one that is presented

A) below one's absolute threshold for conscious awareness.
B) in a manner that is unconsciously persuasive.
C) with very soft background music.
D) repetitiously.

Question 26

Experiments evaluating the impact of subliminal messages for improving recall of information indicated that they

A) interfere with people's capacity for sensory adaptation.
B) did not help more than a placebo.
C) improve people's capacity for transduction.
D) have a positive long-lasting impact on people's health.

Question 27

Pain receptors trigger neural impulses in response to a sprain or a burn.This illustrates

A) priming.
B) transduction.
C) subliminal stimulation.
D) sensory adaptation.

Question 28

People's response to subliminal priming indicates that

A) they are capable of processing information without any conscious awareness of doing so.
B) their unconscious mind is incapable of resisting subliminally presented suggestions.
C) they are more sensitive to subliminal sounds than to subliminal sights.
D) they experience a sense of discomfort whenever they are exposed to subliminal stimuli.

Question 29

If a partially deaf person's hearing ability ________,his or her absolute threshold for sound ________.

A) improves;remains unchanged
B) worsens;decreases
C) worsens;remains unchanged
D) improves;decreases

Question 30

During a hearing test,many sounds were presented at such a low level of intensity that Mr.Antall could hardly detect them.These sounds were below Mr.Antall's

A) perceptual set.
B) absolute threshold.
C) prosopagnosia.
D) difference threshold.

Question 31

Which of the following is the third step in sensory processing?

A) receiving sensory stimuli
B) detecting signals from the environment
C) delivering neural information to the brain
D) transforming stimuli into a neural impulse

Question 32

The conversion of a fresh coffee aroma into neural impulses by sensory receptor cells best illustrates

A) top-down processing.
B) transduction.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) priming.

Question 33

Which theory would suggest that watching a horror movie late at night could lower your absolute threshold for sound as you subsequently tried to fall asleep?

A) subliminal persuasion theory
B) Weber's law
C) sensory perception theory
D) signal detection theory

Question 34

Which theory predicts when we will first notice a faint stimulus presented amid competing background stimulation?

A) Weber's law
B) subliminal persuasion theory
C) signal detection theory
D) sensory perception theory

Question 35

Priming refers to the activation of certain

A) blind spots.
B) difference thresholds.
C) nerve cells.
D) associations.

Question 36

Subliminally presented stimuli

A) can sometimes be consciously perceived.
B) effectively influence purchases of consumer goods.
C) increase our absolute thresholds for visual images.
D) are usually mentally processed as completely as any other stimuli.

Question 37

Which theory emphasizes that personal expectations and motivations influence the level of absolute thresholds?

A) signal detection theory
B) Weber's law
C) subliminal persuasion theory
D) sensory perception theory

Question 38

After a photo of a nude man or woman was flashed and immediately masked before being perceived,people's attention was unconsciously drawn to images in a way that reflected their

A) perceptual set.
B) absolute threshold.
C) sexual orientation.
D) difference threshold.

Question 39

Tyler formed a positive first impression of a new teacher because her facial expressions triggered memories of his favorite aunt.This best illustrates the impact of

A) priming.
B) prosopagnosia.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) Weber's law.

Question 40

The minimum amount of stimulation a person needs to detect a stimulus 50 percent of the time is called the

A) masking stimulus.
B) just noticeable difference.
C) perceptual set.
D) absolute threshold.

Question 41

The constant movement of our eyes enables us to

A) focus the light on the back of our eyes.
B) adjust the amount of light entering our eyes.
C) minimize sensory adaptation.
D) do all of these things.

Question 42

Yesterday,after carrying groceries that weighed 5 pounds for a while,Brenda also picked up a parcel left at her door,which weighed half a pound.She immediately noticed a change in the weight of what she was carrying.If her groceries had weighed 10 pounds,the just noticeable difference with the addition of the parcel would be ________ pound(s).

A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 5

Question 43

The principle that two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum proportion for their difference to be perceived is known as

A) prosopagnosia.
B) Weber's law.
C) signal detection.
D) sensory adaptation.

Question 44

Sensory adaptation refers to

A) the process by which stimulus energies are changed into neural impulses.
B) diminished sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus.
C) the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.
D) the effect of our expectations on perception.

Question 45

Brenda is watching a movie at home but the sound on her television is rather low.She asks her brother to turn up the sound.After he increases the volume only 5 decibels,Brenda says "OK.That's good.Thank you." Brenda's detection of this slight increase in volume demonstrates

A) subliminal stimuli.
B) the absolute threshold.
C) top-down processing.
D) the just noticeable difference.

Question 46

After learning that her new college roommate had experienced several depressive episodes during her high school years,Erin incorrectly perceived her roommate's laughter as artificial and phony.This best illustrates the impact of

A) difference thresholds.
B) perceptual set.
C) subliminal persuasion.
D) prosopagnosia.

Question 47

A perceptual set refers to

A) an unnoticed image that activates certain associated memories.
B) an inability to recognize familiar faces or voices.
C) a diminished sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus.
D) a mental predisposition that influences what we perceive.

Question 48

The minimum stimulus difference that a person can detect half the time is called

A) subliminal stimuli.
B) the absolute threshold.
C) top-down processing.
D) the just noticeable difference.

Question 49

After listening to your high-volume car stereo for 15 minutes,you fail to realize how loudly the music is blasting.This best illustrates

A) Weber's law.
B) subliminal stimulation.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) prosopagnosia.

Question 50

In an experiment,researchers expose participants to subliminal recordings designed to boost their self-esteem.Based on existing research,you would be correct in predicting that the recordings will

A) interfere with the participants' capacity for sensory adaptation.
B) have no more impact on participants' self-esteem than a placebo.
C) improve participants' capacity for auditory transduction.
D) have a positive and long-lasting impact on participants' mood states.

Question 51

A concept that helps us to interpret ambiguous sensations is called a

A) sensory adaptation.
B) schema.
C) signal detector.
D) masking stimulus.

Question 52

Giulio's bag of marbles is twice as heavy as Jim's.If it takes 5 extra marbles to make Jim's bag feel heavier,it will take 10 extra marbles to make Giulio's bag feel heavier.This best illustrates

A) bottom-up processing.
B) perceptual set.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) Weber's law.

Question 53

The influence of schemas on our interpretations of unfamiliar information best illustrates

A) context effects.
B) top-down processing.
C) bottom-up processing.
D) sensory adaptation.

Question 54

After hearing rumors about the outbreak of an infectious disease,Alyosha began to perceive his normal aches and pains as disease-related symptoms.His reaction best illustrates the impact of

A) difference thresholds.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) subliminal stimulation.
D) perceptual set.

Question 55

The minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50 percent of the time is called

A) signal detection.
B) the absolute threshold.
C) perceptual set.
D) the difference threshold.

Question 56

The tendency to perceive a moving light in the night sky as belonging to an airplane rather than a meteor best illustrates the impact of

A) signal detection.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) perceptual set.
D) bottom-up processing.

Question 57

After gazing at an angry face,you immediately turn to look at a morphed blend of an angry and a scared face.The face appears scared to you.This best illustrates the impact of

A) Weber's law.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) subliminal sensation.
D) prosopagnosia.

Question 58

When researchers added a few drops of vinegar to a brand-name beer,the beer tasters disliked it only if they had been told they were drinking vinegar-laced beer.This best illustrates the impact of

A) sensory adaptation.
B) prosopagnosia.
C) perceptual set.
D) subliminal stimulation.

Question 59

Jennifer can tune her guitar more effectively than Maria because Jennifer is better at detecting whether specific strings are playing too sharp or too flat.With respect to tone sensitivity,Maria apparently has a ________ threshold than does Jennifer.

A) lower absolute
B) higher absolute
C) smaller difference
D) larger difference

Question 60

Professor Psychology is conducting a research study on subliminal priming.She hypothesizes that participants who have been exposed to subliminal messages related to fast food will be more likely to select fast food for their complimentary snack than those who have not been exposed to those messages.This hypothesis best illustrates

A) Weber's law.
B) prosopagnosia.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) the two-track mind.

Question 61

Visual perceptions of objects often change when the objects are viewed in different surroundings.This best illustrates

A) prosopagnosia.
B) Weber's law.
C) context effects.
D) subliminal stimulation.

Question 62

Samantha just lost 40 pounds.What will she experience when walking up the stairs at work?

A) The stairs will seem difficult to walk up.
B) She will view the stairs as steep.
C) She will be out of breath by the time she gets to the top of the stairs.
D) The stairs will not seem as steep to her now.

Question 63

When Rick learned that many students had received a failing grade on the midterm exam,he was no longer disappointed by his C grade.His experience best illustrates the importance of

A) sensory adaptation.
B) subliminal sensation.
C) context effects.
D) masking stimuli.

Question 64

Brandon is playing softball and hits almost every ball the pitcher throws.Which of the following is true of Brandon?

A) He has obviously spent a considerable amount of time practicing.
B) He must love to play softball.
C) He perceives the softball as bigger than it actually is.
D) He perceives the softball as closer than it actually is.

Question 65

We may perceive a bottle of fruit juice as less expensive when we are most thirsty.This best illustrates that perceptions are influenced by

A) subliminal stimulation.
B) masking stimuli.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) motivation.

Question 66

In one study,a pictured woman was perceived by some as balancing a box on her head and by others as sitting under a window.The study best illustrated that perceptions are influenced by

A) sensory adaptation.
B) masking stimuli.
C) context effects.
D) subliminal sensation.

Question 67

As Jill goes outside her eyes receive light energy from the sun.Her eyes then ________ the light energy into neural messages that create what she sees outside.

A) transduce
B) perceive
C) interpret
D) understand

Question 68

The amount of energy a light wave contains is its

A) wavelength.
B) hue.
C) brightness.
D) intensity.

Question 69

Our eyes receive light energy and ________ neural messages.

A) transduce it into
B) modify it as
C) move it as
D) send it to

Question 70

Melanie is walking through a field looking at the flowers.She sees some that are yellow and others that are white.The color that she is seeing is referred to as the ________,which is determined by the light's ________.

A) length;intensity
B) hue;wavelength
C) length;amplitude
D) hue;intensity

Question 71

The perceived brightness of visible light waves is determined by their

A) relative motion.
B) hue.
C) amplitude.
D) frequency.

Question 72

The hue of a color is determined by its

A) proximity.
B) wavelength.
C) continuity.
D) amplitude.

Question 73

Visible light is a section of the

A) gamma waves.
B) ultraviolet light.
C) wavelength.
D) spectrum of electromagnetic energy.

Question 74

Although Sue Yen sees her chemistry professor several times a week,she didn't recognize the professor when she saw her in the grocery store.This best illustrates the importance of

A) bottom-up processing.
B) context effects.
C) priming.
D) sensory adaptation.

Question 75

To those throwing a very heavy rather than a light object at a target,the target is likely to be perceived as

A) softer.
B) slower moving.
C) larger.
D) farther away.

Question 76

While listening to sad rather than happy music,people are more likely to perceive a spoken word as mourning rather than morning.This best illustrates that perception is influenced by

A) sensory adaptation.
B) subliminal stimuli.
C) Weber's law.
D) top-down processing.

Question 77

A light wave's intensity is determined by its

A) wavelength.
B) hue.
C) brightness.
D) amplitude.

Question 78

Scary-sounding music accompanied a movie scene in which mountain climbers scaled a steep slope.The fact that the music made the climbing appear more dangerous to viewers illustrates that perceptions are influenced by

A) emotion.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) prosopagnosia.
D) subliminal stimulation.

Question 79

A softball may appear smaller to batters who are discouraged by their poor performance than to batters who are hitting well.This best illustrates that perceptions are influenced by

A) Weber's law.
B) emotion.
C) sensory adaptation.
D) absolute thresholds.

Question 80

Stereotypes are mental conceptions that can strongly influence the way we interpret the behaviors of individuals belonging to specific racial or ethnic groups.A stereotype is most similar to a

A) signal detector.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) perceptual set.
D) difference threshold.