Psychology 201 - Chapter 3

Which of the following terms denotes a trick of perceptual constancies on the eye?

a visual illusion

Visual acuity is highest when images are focused on the fovea because of the high concentration of _____ in the region

cones

The loudness of a sound is expressed in

decibels (dB)

Nearsightedness can result when the eyeball is elongated such that the images of

distant objects are focused in front of the retina

The blindspot is

insensitive to visual stimulation

Which of the following statements is true of the absolute threshold?

it is determined by exposing individuals to progressively stronger stimuli until the minimum stimuli the person can detect is found

The _____ conducts sensory input to the brain, where it is relayed to the visual area of the occipital lobe

optic nerve

In the context of the human eye, the size of the _____ is sensitive to an individual's emotions

pupil

On a bright, sunny day, Manny leaves a dimly-lit movie theatre and goes out into the street. The _____ in his eyes adjust to the sudden increase in light

pupils

Exposure to very loud sounds can lead to damage of the auditory nerve or hair cells, resulting in

sensorineural deafness

At the start of the exam Bobbi did not notice any distracting sounds. As time passed she became more and more aware of the ticking clock on the wall. What is this an example of?

sensory adaptation

Two identical model cars are parked at the far end of a parking lot. You are able to determine that one of the cars is closer to you than the other because it appears to be slightly larger, even though you know it is the same as the other. This is an example of which perceptual cue?

size constancy

Visual stimuli can be flashed too briefly, below our absolute threshold for conscious perception, to enable us to process them. This is an example of

subliminal stimulation

The pain message is relayed from the spinal cord to the _____ and then projected to the cerebral cortex, making us aware of the location and intensity of the damage

thalamus

Amy accidentally hit her elbow against the edge of a wall. Amy's mother rushed to her and rubbed the affected elbow. Amy's pain subsided. Which theory would best explain this incident?

the gate theory

_____ refers to the tendency to perceive a broken figure as being complete or whole

the principle of closure

_____ tells us whether we are falling and provides clues to whether our body is changing speed

the vestibular sense

Which of the following is a new basic taste that was recently added to the primary taste qualities?

umami

If you were having trouble with balance, it would most likely be a problem with your _____ system

vestibular

Which of the following senses is dominant in human beings?

vision