Sensation and Perception Quiz
Based on your reading of the text, describe some psychological approaches to managing pain.
Although the basis of pain is biological, many psychology factors influence the experience of pain. Distraction consists of efforts to direct attention away from pain. Focusing one's attention on something can reduce the experience of pain. It is also possible to overwhelm the "gate" that controls the flow of painful stimuli to the pain. Rubbing a sore area or simultaneously applying cold and heat may reduce the experience of pain. Cognitive processes also influence the experience of pain. Pessimists tend to report more pain and distress than optimists. Increasing one's knowledge about the source of pain and treatment options can also reduce the aversive effects of pain. Finally, meditation and biofeedback may provide some relief from pain.
Describe how the eyes process light.
Light enters the eye through the cornea, the transparent covering of the eye's surface. From there, it passes through the pupil, a small opening in the iris. The iris, which is the colored part of the eye, is a muscle that dilates or contracts the pupil to regulate the amount of light that enters. In dark conditions, the iris allows more light, and in bright conditions, it allows less. Behind the pupil is a lens that focuses the incoming light rays onto the retina, a light-sensitive surface that contains the receptors for light, the rods and the cones. The receptors convert the light energy into neural impulses that activate neighboring bipolar cells. These, in turn, activate adjacent ganglion cells, whose axons form the optic nerve, via which information is sent to the thalamus in the brain. From there it is relayed to the visual cortex that processes visual information and enables us to experience sight.
Define parapsychology and describe four forms of ESP.
Parapsychology is the study of events that cannot be explained by known physical, psychological, or biological mechanisms. Telepathy is the ability to project one's thoughts into the minds of others or to read their minds. Clairvoyance is the perception of events that are not available to the senses. Precognition is the ability to foretell the future. Psychokinesis is the ability to cause objects to move without touching them. Strong scientific evidence for these phenomena is lacking.
Summarize the three major theories of pitch perception.
Place theory suggests that sounds of different frequency maximally stimulate different locations on the basilar membrane. For example, high-frequency sounds cause the most stimulation close to the oval window. Lower-pitched sounds cause greatest vibration farther down the basilar membrane. However, this localization holds only for sounds above 4,000 cycles per second. For sounds between 20 and 1,000 cycles per second, the basilar membrane vibrates at the same frequency as the sound wave, and, ultimately, neurons in the auditory nerve fire at the same frequency. This is referred to as frequency theory. Since neurons can fire only at 1,000 times per second, frequencies between 1,000 and 4,000 cycles per second require a volley principle in which groups of neurons fire in alternating succession to match the frequency of the sound.
Differentiate between absolute and difference thresholds.
The absolute threshold is the minimum amount of a stimulus that can be reliably detected. The exact amount is determined by presenting a subject with stimuli of various intensities. The intensity that people can detect 50 percent of the time is the absolute threshold. The different threshold (or just-noticeable difference) is the smallest amount of difference between two stimuli that can be detected. Interestingly, this amount is not constant. Rather, the larger a stimulus is, the more it must be changed to create a just-noticeable difference.
Summarize the principles of the gate-control theory of pain.
The gate-control theory of pain suggests that there is a neural "gate" in the spinal cord that regulates the transmission of pain information to the brain. The "gate" is not a physical structure as such. It is a pattern of neural activity that can either block pain or let pain signals through. A "bottleneck" may occur at the gate if too many signals are present. Dull and throbbing pain is transmitted via thin and slow nerve fibers. Other skin sense information travels via thicker, faster fibers. If this information reaches the "gate" first, it may prevent the pain information from getting through, thereby reducing the experience of pain.
Explain the Gestalt approach to perception.
The term Gestalt can be translated as "unified form," "pattern," or "whole." The Gestalt laws of perception explain how we assemble pieces of information into wholes. One basic principle distinguishes between figure and ground. Objects stand out against some sort of background. There are several specific laws regarding how information is grouped. The law of proximity suggests that we group together items that are close together in space. The law of similarity proposes that we group together items that are similar to one another. The law of continuity says that we perceive a series of stimuli as a unified whole when they seem to represent a continuous pattern. The principle of closure is that we group disconnected pieces of information into a meaningful whole. The law of connectedness asserts that we perceive objects as belonging together if they are located together or seem to be moving together.
Summarize the two major theories of color vision.
The trichromatic theory suggests that our retinas contain three different types of cones. Each type is maximally sensitive to a particular wavelength of light. One type responds best to short wavelengths (blue-violet), another type responds best to medium wavelengths (green), and the third type responds best to long wavelengths (red). Our color experience is a function of how a particular light stimulates the various types of cones. The opponent-process theory suggests that pairs of opposing processes are responsible for color vision. One process is stimulated by green and inhibited by red. Another process is stimulated by blue and inhibited by yellow. A final process is excited by white and inhibited by black. Both theories explain different parts of vision.
______ states that the smallest difference between two stimuli that is detectable 50% of the time is always a constant
Weber's law
according to gate control-when the spinal gates open farther there is
a greater experience of pain
Which of the following leads to the perception of movement? a) A dog suddenly looming much larger b) One person partially blocking another c) A car appearing larger than another car d) An object that is lighter on top and darker on the bottom e) A "haze" cast over distant objects
a) A dog suddenly looming much larger
Kim wrote a term paper about the sense of hearing. She might have titled her paper a) All About Audition b) Knowing Everything There Is to Know About Kinesthesis c) Valuing the Vestibular Sense d) Facts of Olfaction. e) Thinking About Telepathy
a) All About Audition
Which of the following describes the pupil? a) An opening through which light enters the eye b) A part of the eye that adjusts its shape to view objects at varying distances c) A transparent covering at the front of the eye d) A part of the eye that contains the photoreceptors e) A structure responsible for peripheral vision
a) An opening through which light enters the eye
In an attempt to reduce his high blood pressure, Raoul is attached to monitoring equipment that provides him with information about his physiological responses. This information gives him cues to help him learn strategies to control his disorder. Which technique is Raoul using? a) Biofeedback b) Psychokinesis c) Gate-control pain management d) Acupuncture e) Telepathy
a) Biofeedback
Which method of processing visual information involves assembling specific features of shapes to form patterns? a) Bottom-up processing b) Bottom-down processing c) Top-down processing d) Bottom-top processing e) Up-down processing
a) Bottom-up processing
Which of the following is an example of the depth cue of relative clarity? a) From a distance, tall buildings appear farther away when viewed on a smoggy day than on a fair day. b) The texture of sand beneath your feet is more detailed than the texture of sand 30 feet in front of you. c) Lines on the sides of the road appear to come together in the distance. d) Two buildings are known to be the same size, but the one that is closer appears larger. e) In a photograph, patterns of light and dark create the appearance of three-dimensional objects, even though the photo is flat.
a) From a distance, tall buildings appear farther away when viewed on a smoggy day than on a fair day.
Which of the following statements is true about subliminal perception? a) People can perceive stimuli below the threshold of awareness. b) The effects of subliminal perception are strong. c) Subliminal messages can be used to influence consumer behavior. d) Subliminal messages can help people become more successful in life. e) The brain does not respond to subliminal messages.
a) People can perceive stimuli below the threshold of awareness.
Which of the following statements about perception is true? a) Perception represents the brain's attempt to make sense of the information coming in through the senses. b) Perception is a reactive process. c) Perceptions accurately reflect reality. d) The area of perception that has captured the most research attention is auditory perception. e) Perception is independent of expectations.
a) Perception represents the brain's attempt to make sense of the information coming in through the senses.
Which sense has connections with several structures in the limbic system and is especially effective at stimulating emotional memories? a) Smell b) Taste c) Hearing d) Vision e) Touch
a) Smell
Other factors being equal, which sensory stimulus is LEAST likely to lead to sensory adaptation? a) The wail of a loud car alarm b) The sound of a grandfather clock ticking c) The offensive odors of a cattle farm d) The pressure of wearing a new bracelet on one's wrist e) The temperature of water when one enters a pool
a) The wail of a loud car alarm
Which sense monitors the position of your body in space and helps maintain balance? a) Vestibular b) Kinesthesis c) Proprioception d) Audition e) Olfaction
a) Vestibular
Which color of the spectrum has the shortest wavelength? a) Violet b) Red c) Yellow d) Indigo e) Green
a) Violet
The smallest amount of a stimulus that a person can reliably detect is called the a) absolute threshold. b) difference threshold. c) just-noticeable difference. d) just-noticeable threshold. e) constant threshold.
a) absolute threshold.
Since they can see only during the daylight, some birds must return to roost as darkness approaches. This is because their eyes contain a) cones, but no rods. b) rods, but no cones. c) inefficient cones. d) inefficient rods. e) no rods or cones
a) cones, but no rods.
For the sharpest vision, the image of an object should be focused on the a) fovea. b) blind spot. c) optic chiasm. d) optic nerve. e) retina.
a) fovea.
Only rods allow us to see a) in dim light. b) colors. c) fine detail. d) under bright illumination. e) moving objects.
a) in dim light.
Receptors for kinesthesis are located in a) joints, ligaments, and muscles. b) the skin and hair. c) the inner and middle ear. d) the eyes. e) the mouth and nose.
a) joints, ligaments, and muscles.
The part of the eye that changes shape to adjust for an object's distance is the a) lens. b) pupil. c) cornea. d) retina. e) iris.
a) lens.
People who see only in black and white are called a) monochromats. b) dichromats. c) trichromats. d) unichromats. e) partially colorblind.
a) monochromats.
The tendency for our perceptions to be influenced by our expectations or preconceptions is called a) perceptual set. b) selective attention. c) divided attention. d) perceptual constancy. e) habituation.
a) perceptual set.
In sound waves, height of the wave is to ________ as number of complete waves is to ________. a) pitch; frequency b) frequency; pitch c) amplitude; decibel d) decibel; amplitude e) amplitude; frequency
a) pitch; frequency
The ability to foretell the future is called a) precognition. b) parapsychology. c) clairvoyance. d) telepathy. e) psychokinesis.
a) precognition.
Dr. Dawson's research program is concerned with how a person's experience changes as the intensity of a sound is increased. Dr. Dawson is studying a) psychophysics. b) sensation. c) perception. d) transformation. e) biophysics.
a) psychophysics.
The process by which we receive, transform, and process stimuli is a) sensation. b) perception. c) transduction. d) reduction. e) psychophysics.
a) sensation.
If you are expecting a telephone call, you may be more likely to notice the telephone ringing while you are in the shower than if you were not expecting a call. This example is an illustration of a) signal-detection theory. b) Weber's law. c) sensory adaptation. d) opponent-process theory. e) dual-process theory.
a) signal-detection theory.
The taste receptors are called a) taste cells. b) taste buds. c) gustatory nerves. d) taste nodes. e) gustatory nodes.
a) taste cells.
The belief that the experience of pitch is related to alternate firing of groups of neurons along the basilar membrane is known as a) the volley principle. b) place theory. c) gate-control theory. d) frequency theory. e) the succession principle.
a) the volley principle.
Red, green, and blue-violet light can be combined to create any color of the spectrum. This has been interpreted as supporting a) trichromatic theory of color vision. b) opponent-process theory of color vision. c) feature detection theory of color vision. d) color constancy theory of color vision. e) the existence of afterimages.
a) trichromatic theory of color vision.
A recipe requires 10 grams of salt. Since Weber's constant for saltiness is 1/5, how much more salt must a chef add to make the recipe noticeably saltier? a) 0.2 gram b) 2 grams c) 5 grams d) 10.2 grams e) 10.5 grams
b) 2 grams
The loudness of normal conversation is about how many decibels? a) 25 b) 50 c) 75 d) 100 e) 125
b) 50
Which of the following best describes the organ of Corti? a) An auditory receptor that transforms vibration of sound waves into neural impulses b) A gelatinous structure in the cochlea that contains the auditory receptors c) A sheet of connective tissue separating the outer ear from the middle ear d) A shell-shaped organ in the inner ear that contains sensory receptors for hearing e) A collection of tiny bones in the middle ear that vibrate in response to vibrations from the eardrum
b) A gelatinous structure in the cochlea that contains the auditory receptors
Sound from which of the following should produce the most danger to hearing upon brief exposure? a) A ringing telephone b) A jet airplane c) A lawn mower d) A jack hammer e) Headphones
b) A jet airplane
When you are presented with the following visual information, "A," your brain sees a series of lines and angles in a particular format and interprets this visual information as the letter A. This is an example of which concept from perception? a) Perceptual set b) Bottom-up processing c) Top-down processing d) Selective attention e) Habituation
b) Bottom-up processing
The blackbird in the sunlight reflected more light than the white duck in the shade, yet Brenda perceived the duck to be lighter than the blackbird because of which of the following? a) The Ponzo illusion b) Brightness constancy c) Relative clarity d) Retinal disparity e) Texture gradient
b) Brightness constancy
The sheriff's department of a small town has enlisted the aid of a psychic who claims to have knowledge of where a kidnapper is holding a child, even though she has not physically seen or heard anything regarding the case. The psychic is claiming to have what kind of ability? a) Precognition b) Clairvoyance c) Telepathy d) Psychokinesis e) Subliminal perception
b) Clairvoyance
The Gestalt principle of similarity was at work in which of the following? a) At the playground, Edna saw many children at play. She perceived them as three groups according to their location: one group of children were near and on the slides, one was by the swings, and a third was by the sandbox. b) Frank the lifeguard was watching a group of 7-year-old boy and girl campers swim in the lake. Because all the girls wore white bathing caps, Frank perceived them all as one group, even though they were not in the same place. c) Even though there were 24 dominos laid down on the table end-to-end, Gregory perceived them to be one group because they appeared to represent an uninterrupted series. d) In spite of the fact that the car parked in front was obstructing part of the house, Irena still perceived the whole shape of the house, just as though the car were not there. e) Jared looked up and saw six birds flying above in the sky. He perceived them as two distinct groups because three birds were moving in one direction and three birds were moving together in another direction.
b) Frank the lifeguard was watching a group of 7-year-old boy and girl campers swim in the lake. Because all the girls wore white bathing caps, Frank perceived them all as one group, even though they were not in the same place.
Rebecca tells Tom that he is singing "off pitch." Rebecca is referring to which physical property of sound? a) Amplitude b) Frequency c) Loudness d) Speed e) Decibel
b) Frequency
What is the process of focused attention that induces a relaxed mental and physical state? a) Biofeedback b) Meditation c) Bottlenecking d) Telepathy e) Distraction
b) Meditation
Which of the following is(are) responsible for carrying impulses from the odor receptors in the nose to the brain? a) Olfactory bulb b) Olfactory nerve c) Taste buds d) Pheromones e) Vestibular organ
b) Olfactory nerve
Renee is smelling a rose. Its odor's chemical molecules lock into the odor receptors in Renee's nose. The resulting neural impulses then follow which path? a) Olfactory bulb to olfactory nerve to olfactory cortex in the parietal lobe b) Olfactory nerve to olfactory bulb to olfactory cortex in the temporal lobe c) Olfactory nerve to thalamus to olfactory cortex in the temporal lobe d) Olfactory nerve to olfactory bulb to olfactory cortex in the occipital lobe e) Olfactory nerve to olfactory cortex to olfactory bulb in the occipital lobe
b) Olfactory nerve to olfactory bulb to olfactory cortex in the temporal lobe
Brenda has only one eye. Which of the following depth cues is she unable to use? a) Relative size b) Retinal disparity c) Interposition d) Texture gradient e) Continuity
b) Retinal disparity
Which of the following infants is demonstrating habituation? a) Pedro, who is intently concentrating on the red circle on the bumper of his crib and ignoring the other colors b) Robin, who was intently focused on the sound of the car alarm outside until she tuned it out and fell asleep c) Harry, who keeps crying at the top of his lungs until he is offered a bottle d) Neely, who smiles at the sight of her big brother's face but not at the sight of other children e) Seth, who is so used to sleeping on his stomach that he cries when placed in the crib on his back
b) Robin, who was intently focused on the sound of the car alarm outside until she tuned it out and fell asleep
With reference to Weber's constants, people are LEAST sensitive to changes in which of the following? a) Pitch of sounds b) Saltiness of food c) Heaviness of weights d) Brightness of lights e) Odor
b) Saltiness of food
Which part of your eye gives your eye its color? a) The cornea b) The iris c) The pupil d) The fovea e) The retina
b) The iris
Regarding the sense of taste, which of the following statements is true? a) People without tongues are unable to sense taste. b) The receptors for taste are located mostly on the tongue. c) When taste receptors are "killed off" by hot foods, they remain inactive. d) Genetic factors do not play a large role in either taste sensitivity or taste preferences. e) Pigs are unable to taste sweetness, whereas cats are able to do so.
b) The receptors for taste are located mostly on the tongue.
What is kinesthesis? a) The sense that allows you to maintain your balance b) The sense that lets you know where your body parts are c) The sense that informs you about the movement of your head in relation to the external world d) The sense that transmits messages of pain to your brain e) The sense that monitors the position of your head in space
b) The sense that lets you know where your body parts are
Other factors being equal, which person is most likely to be a "supertaster"? a) Yuan, an Asian man b) Yuna, an Asian woman c) Lenny, a European-American man d) Betty, a European-American woman e) Gaspar, a Hispanic-American man
b) Yuna, an Asian woman
The basis of the place theory of pitch detection is that pitch is determined by the place that vibrates the most along the a) eardrum. b) basilar membrane. c) oval window. d) auditory nerve. e) ossicles.
b) basilar membrane.
Depth cues that require the use of both eyes are called a) monocular cues. b) binocular cues. c) stereoscopic cues. d) double vision. e) convergence cues.
b) binocular cues.
Grouping disconnected pieces of information into a meaningful whole describes the Gestalt principle of a) similarity. b) closure. c) connectedness. d) proximity. e) continuity.
b) closure.
The carpentered-world hypothesis helps explain the a) phenomenon of psychokinesis. b) cultural differences in the experience of the Müller-Lyer illusion. c) effects of stroboscopic movement. d) Gestalt laws of perceptual organization. e) moon illusion.
b) cultural differences in the experience of the Müller-Lyer illusion.
Weber's law suggests that a) absolute threshold measurements underestimate true perceptual sensitivity. b) difference thresholds are a constant proportion of the original stimulus. c) difference thresholds are a constant quantity. d) difference thresholds decrease as stimuli increase. e) difference thresholds increase as stimuli decrease.
b) difference thresholds are a constant proportion of the original stimulus.
High-frequency sounds cause the greatest vibration of a) hair cells in the middle of the basilar membrane. b) hair cells nearest the oval window. c) hair cells nearest the auditory nerve. d) hair cells farthest down the basilar membrane from the oval window. e) the membrane of the eardrum.
b) hair cells nearest the oval window.
Place theory and frequency theory explain how we detect ________ pitches, and volley principle explains how we detect ________ pitches. a) mid-range; high and low b) high and low; mid-range c) mid-range and high; low d) mid-range and low; high e) low; mid-range and high
b) high and low; mid-range
Dr. Rhoden conducts animal experiments on visual perception. Rhoden wants to stop the animal's pupil from changing size, so he paralyzes the a) cornea. b) iris. c) lens. d) retina. e) pupil.
b) iris.
Just this morning, Brad studied the gate-control theory of pain in psychology class. Therefore, after tripping and scraping his knee on the way back to the dorm, he tried to apply the theory by a) keeping his mind focused on his upcoming date with a new girlfriend. b) lightly rubbing the injured area. c) going to the pharmacy and purchasing an antibacterial ointment. d) borrowing biofeedback equipment from the school clinic. e) narrowing his attentive focus through continuous repetition of the phrase "I'm feeling just fine."
b) lightly rubbing the injured area.
The process by which the brain interprets stimuli and turns them into meaningful representations of the external world is a) sensation. b) perception. c) attention. d) memory. e) audition.
b) perception.
The tendency to perceive properties of an object as remaining the same despite changes in its retinal image is called a) Gestalt organization. b) perceptual constancy. c) perceptual congruity. d) perceptual stability. e) closure.
b) perceptual constancy.
Various species emit chemical substances that play important roles in many behaviors. These substances are called a) hormones. b) pheromones. c) neurotransmitters. d) perfumes. e) olfactions.
b) pheromones.
The phenomenon whereby sensory systems become less sensitive to unchanging stimuli is called a) discrimination threshold shift. b) sensory adaptation. c) signal-detection. d) threshold degradation. e) psychophysics.
b) sensory adaptation.
When Harold first enters his swimming pool, the water feels uncomfortably cold. Five minutes later, the water feels comfortable to Harold. This is an example of a) transduction. b) sensory adaptation. c) Weber's law. d) signal-detection theory. e) just-noticeable difference.
b) sensory adaptation.
In color vision, blue-violet cones are most sensitive to ________ wavelengths, red cones to ________ wavelengths, and green cones to ________ wavelengths. a) short; middle; long b) short; long; middle c) long; short; middle d) long; middle; short e) middle; short; long
b) short; long; middle
All of the following senses go through the thalamus on the way to the cortex EXCEPT a) vision. b) smell. c) hearing. d) taste. e) touch.
b) smell.
Salvador does business as a mind reader. Salvador believes he is capable of a) psychokinesis. b) telepathy. c) subliminal perception. d) clairvoyance. e) precognition.
b) telepathy.
The optic nerve transmits information to the visual cortex in the brain via the a) basal ganglia. b) thalamus. c) hypothalamus. d) hippocampus. e) amygdala.
b) thalamus.
The minimal difference between two stimuli that people can reliably detect is a) the absolute threshold. b) the difference threshold. c) the perceptual threshold. d) the sensitivity threshold. e) Weber's constant.
b) the difference threshold.
Compared to pain fibers, fibers that carry signals about temperature and touch are a) thinner and faster. b) thicker and faster. c) thinner and slower. d) thicker and slower. e) small and reach the brain faster.
b) thicker and faster.
The ratio of rods to cones is approximately a) 10 to 1. b) 1 to 10. c) 20 to 1. d) 1 to 20. e) 1 to 1.
c) 20 to 1.
Approximately what percent of people are "supertasters"? a) 5 percent b) 10 percent c) 25 percent d) 40 percent e) 50 percent
c) 25 percent
Visible light consists of wavelengths of approximately a) 100-550 nanometers. b) 200-650 nanometers. c) 300-750 nanometers. d) 400-850 nanometers. e) 500-950 nanometers.
c) 300-750 nanometers.
Five friends were hiking in the woods. After a couple of hours, when they reached a high spot, they could barely make out the details of a small town below. Which one of them demonstrated a perceptual set? a) Alex, who was tired and who said, "Looking at the number of trees from here to there, I would say it's a distance of about another five miles." b) Bob, who was hot and sweaty and whosaid, "I hope there's a place to get something cold to drink." c) Chad, who was hungry and who said, "I think I see a Pizza sign." d) Doug, whose shoes got soaked in a puddle and who said, "It'll be great if there's a store where I can buy a cheap pair of sneakers." e) Edward, who was anxious and who said, "Who cares what's down there. I think it's time we turned around and started to walk home."
c) Chad, who was hungry and who said, "I think I see a Pizza sign."
Which of the following is a test for an absolute threshold for taste? a) Detecting a bitter taste in broccoli because one is a supertaster b) Detecting a difference in tastes between two spots on the tongue that are one-eighth of an inch apart c) Detecting one teaspoon of sugar dissolved in two gallons of water d) Detecting the number and type of lemons that were used to make a pitcher of lemonade e) Detecting the sweetness of a fruit while blindfolded
c) Detecting one teaspoon of sugar dissolved in two gallons of water
In a research experiment, participants are shown a series of drawings before seeing an ambiguous picture that could be perceived as a rat or a man. Group 1 sees drawings of animals, and group 2 sees drawings of humans. Perceptual set suggests which of the following results when participants are shown the ambiguous picture? a) Both groups will report seeing a man. b) Both groups will report seeing a rat. c) Group 1 will report seeing a rat, and group 2 will report seeing a man. d) Group 1 will report seeing a man, and group 2 will report seeing a rat. e) Neither group will see a rat or a man, since the picture is ambiguous.
c) Group 1 will report seeing a rat, and group 2 will report seeing a man.
Which German scientist is credited with initiating the scientific approach to psychology with his book Elements of Psychophysics? a) Ernst Weber b) Torsten Wiesel c) Gustav Fechner d) Max Wertheimer e) Wilhelm Wundt
c) Gustav Fechner
Which of the following statements is true about sound waves? a) Sound waves travel faster than light waves. b) The frequency of sound waves determines their perceived loudness. c) Humans hear by sensing sound waves that result from changes in the pressure of air or water. d) Pitch, the perception of how high or low a sound seems, corresponds to the amplitude of the sound wave. e) Sound waves can travel through the empty reaches of outer space.
c) Humans hear by sensing sound waves that result from changes in the pressure of air or water.
Which of the following is true about acupuncture? a) It is a traditional Japanese healing art. b) It has been shown by research to be an effective way to relieve migraine headaches. c) It appears to be no more effective than fake acupuncture, in which needles are inserted superficially in random places in the body. d) Researchers theorize that acupuncture works through the release of dopamine, caused by the stimulation of acupuncture points. e) The practice of acupuncture began approximately 80 years ago.
c) It appears to be no more effective than fake acupuncture, in which needles are inserted superficially in random places in the body.
Regarding the theories of color vision, which of the following is true? a) Trichromatic theory is supported by the behavior of cells lying between the cones and the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex. b) Opponent-process theory is supported at the receptor level. c) Most authorities today suggest that color vision includes elements of both trichromatic and opponent-process theories. d) Trichromatic theory is based on Hering's work with afterimages. e) Opponent-process theory suggests that the eyes have four types of color receptors.
c) Most authorities today suggest that color vision includes elements of both trichromatic and opponent-process theories.
Even though two lines are of equal length, the one with outward-pointing wings looks longer than the one with inward-pointing wings. This is an example of the a) Ponzo illusion. b) interposition illusion. c) Müller-Lyer illusion. d) texture gradient illusion. e) phi phenomenon.
c) Müller-Lyer illusion.
Which Gestalt principle describes the tendency to perceive objects as belonging together when they are close to one another? a) Connectedness b) Continuity c) Proximity d) Similarity e) Closure
c) Proximity
What is the most common form of colorblindness? a) Blue-green b) Red-yellow c) Red-green d) Blue-yellow e) Blue-red
c) Red-green
______ consists of limiting attention to certain stimuli and filtering out other stimuli. a) Sensation b) Perception c) Selective attention d) Perceptual set e) Habituation
c) Selective attention
In studies cited in the text, when women were exposed to male sweat, what were the findings? a) Some complained of nausea; others became sexually aroused. b) Some felt relaxed; others complained of nausea. c) Some felt relaxed; others became sexually aroused. d) All became nauseated. e) All became sexually aroused.
c) Some felt relaxed; others became sexually aroused.
When you are watching a movie, what type of apparent movement gives you the perception of a "moving picture"? a) Converging movement b) Opponent-process movement c) Stroboscopic movement d) Subliminal movement e) Changing size movement
c) Stroboscopic movement
Receptor cells for which sense regenerate within a week to ten days? a) Vision b) Audition c) Taste d) Touch e) Olfaction
c) Taste
Which technique has proved particularly effective in treating migraine headaches? a) Meditation b) Acupuncture c) Thermal biofeedback d) Gate-control pain management e) Electromyographic biofeedback
c) Thermal biofeedback
Which of the following is true of cones? a) They are responsible for peripheral vision. b) They are more sensitive to light than are rods. c) They provide detailed vision. d) They function in dim light. e) They allow some animals, such as bats, to see at night.
c) They provide detailed vision.
Austin experiences motion sickness. From which two senses has Austin received conflicting information? a) Kinesthesis and visual b) Kinesthesis and olfactory c) Vestibular and visual d) Vestibular and olfactory e) Audition and olfactory
c) Vestibular and visual
Which term best captures the meaning of Gestalt? a) Figure b) Ground c) Whole d) Perception e) Parts
c) Whole
Compared to people with average taste sensitivity, people who are "supertasters" have a) different types of taste buds. b) more sensitive taste buds. c) a very dense network of taste buds. d) bigger taste buds. e) fewer specialized taste buds.
c) a very dense network of taste buds.
The optic nerve is made up of the ________ of the ________ cells. a) axons; bipolar b) dendrites; bipolar c) axons; ganglion d) dendrites; ganglion e) dendrites; optic
c) axons; ganglion
Muscular tension caused by your eyes turning inward provides the depth cue of a) retinal disparity. b) binocularity disparity. c) convergence. d) divergence. e) interposition.
c) convergence.
"Make the TV louder," said Paula. "I did," said Jack, pointing at the remote. "Doesn't sound louder to me," said Paula. "Does to me," said Jack. Jack is failing to consider the discrepancy between his ______ and Paula's. a) Weber's constant b) subliminal difference c) difference threshold d) absolute threshold e) absolute difference
c) difference threshold
In response to pain, the brain signals the release of a) dopamine. b) acetylcholine. c) endorphins. d) norepinephrine. e) serotonin.
c) endorphins.
Conduction deafness is to ________ as nerve deafness is to ________. a) outer ear; inner ear b) inner ear; outer ear c) middle ear; inner ear d) inner ear; middle ear e) middle ear; outer ear
c) middle ear; inner ear
Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback is to thermal biofeedback as ________ is to ________. a) migraine; tension headache b) finger; forehead c) muscle tension; temperature d) increased blood flow; increased muscle relaxation e) vibration; tone
c) muscle tension; temperature
An object that reflects primarily long-wavelength light would most stimulate which category of cone? a) blue-violet b) green c) red d) yellow e) black-white
c) red
Trichromatic theory suggests that a) the retina has one type of color receptor that responds differently to each color. b) the retina has two types of color receptors that respond in a different manner for each color. c) the retina has three types of color receptors—red, green, and blue-violet. d) color results from opposing processes involving three sets of color receptors, red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. e) color vision is a function of brain activity.
c) the retina has three types of color receptors—red, green, and blue-violet.
the tendency to complete figures that are incomplete
closure
during a lasik procedure the opthalmologist removes small portions of the
cornea
Humans can hear frequencies between a) 100,000 and 200,000 cycles per second. b) 50,000 and 100,000 cycles per second. c) 20,000 and 50,000 cycles per second. d) 20 and 20,000 cycles per second. e) 1 and 20 cycles per second.
d) 20 and 20,000 cycles per second.
The absolute threshold for vision involves being able to see the flame of a candle flickering on a dark, clear night from a distance of about a) 30 feet. b) 300 feet. c) 3 miles. d) 30 miles. e) 300 miles.
d) 30 miles.
Approximately ________ Americans have hearing problems, and approximately ________ are deaf. a) 2 million; 100,000 b) 5 million; 200,000 c) 10 million; 1 million d) 30 million; 2 million e) 50 million; 5 million
d) 30 million; 2 million
Regarding colorblindness, which of the following statements is true? a) More women than men suffer from red-green color-blindness. b) Blue-yellow colorblindness is more common than red-green colorblindness. c) People who are dichromats can perceive the world only in shades of gray. d) About one in every forty thousand people is completely colorblind. e) Red-green colorblindness appears to be carried on the Y chromosome.
d) About one in every forty thousand people is completely colorblind.
Weber's constant for the volume of sound is 1/10. A car alarm is sounding off at 60 decibels. After 5 minutes, it is programmed to get louder. How loud does it have to be for people to perceive it as louder? a) At least 61 decibels b) At least 62 decibels c) At least 65 decibels d) At least 66 decibels e) At least 70 decibels
d) At least 66 decibels
When you perceive something, what is the first step you take? a) Sensing b) Learning c) Memorizing d) Attending e) Thinking
d) Attending
Who conducted a classic study demonstrating perceptual set? a) Hubel and Wiesel b) Hering c) Young and von Helmholtz d) Bruner and Minturn e) Müller and Lyer
d) Bruner and Minturn
What is true about the blind spot? a) It contains rods but not cones. b) It contains cones but not rods. c) It contains both rods and cones. d) It's the part of the retina where the optic nerve leaves the eye. e) It's the part of the retina where light is converted into neural signals.
d) It's the part of the retina where the optic nerve leaves the eye.
Charlene is fastening the clasp of her necklace at the back of her neck. She is aware of exactly where her fingers are without seeing them because of which sense? a) Vestibular b) Olfaction c) Audition d) Kinesthesis e) Touch
d) Kinesthesis
Which of the following is a monocular cue for depth perception? a) Retinal disparity b) Convergence c) Clairvoyance d) Linear perspective e) Stroboscopic movement
d) Linear perspective
Alice has the job of lighting director for the school play. She wants the Cowardly Lion to be bathed in yellow light. In front of her is a console with three buttons: red, blue, and green. Which ones would give her yellow light? a) Blue and red b) Blue and green c) Red, blue, and green d) Red and green e) No combination of any of the three
d) Red and green
Which of the following statements is true about the skin senses? a) Sensations for hotness are produced by stimulation of specialized receptors for heat. b) All skin receptors can respond to more than one type of stimulation. c) There are about ten thousand receptors for touch and pressure distributed throughout the body. d) Sensory information is transmitted from the spinal cord to the somatosensory cortex. e) All receptors for pain are located in the skin.
d) Sensory information is transmitted from the spinal cord to the somatosensory cortex.
Which of the following statements is true about olfaction? a) Human nasal passageways contain about 1,000 odor receptors. b) Human odor receptors are capable of sensing about 1,000,000 different substances. c) All odor molecules have the same shape. d) Smell is the only sense in which sensory information does not go through the thalamus on its way to the cerebral cortex. e) The intensity of an odor depends on the size of a substance's odor molecules.
d) Smell is the only sense in which sensory information does not go through the thalamus on its way to the cerebral cortex.
How are the nerve fibers that carry pain signals different from those that carry signals for warmth, cold, and touch? a) The pain nerve fibers are longer and faster. b) The pain nerve fibers are thinner and faster. c) The pain nerve fibers are thicker and slower. d) The pain nerve fibers are thinner and slower. e) The pain nerve fibers are shorter and faster.
d) The pain nerve fibers are thinner and slower.
Which of the following is the best definition of clairvoyance? a) The ability to foretell the future b) The ability to move objects without touching them c) The ability to read other people's minds d) The perception of events not available to the senses e) The ability to project your thoughts into other people's minds
d) The perception of events not available to the senses
Which of the following is true about ESP? a) College seniors are more staunch believers in ESP than are first-year students. b) ESP, or extrasensory perception, is also known as the "seventh sense." c) Although there is no scientific proof that clairvoyance or psychokinesis exists, there is such proof for telepathy and precognition. d) There is no reliable scientific evidence that any form of ESP exists. e) Belief in ESP is not widespread in this country.
d) There is no reliable scientific evidence that any form of ESP exists.
Which of the following is true about figure and ground? a) It's always easy to tell which is the figure and which is the ground. b) The ground usually has a distinctive shape, whereas the figure does not. c) An outline clearly defines where the figure ends and the ground begins. d) What one sees in an ambiguous figure depends on how one organizes one's perceptual experiences. e) Once one focuses on one part of an ambiguous figure, it becomes impossible to switch back and forth.
d) What one sees in an ambiguous figure depends on how one organizes one's perceptual experiences.
The ability to feel the wing of a bee falling on one's cheek from about 1 centimeter away is a(n) a) difference threshold b) example of subliminal perception. c) just-noticeable difference. d) absolute threshold for touch. e) example of sensory adaptation.
d) absolute threshold for touch.
When the house was quiet, Rhonda, lying in bed, was able to hear the babysitter's watch ticking in the living room, from a distance of 15 feet away, about 50 percent of the time. But when the babysitter moved from the chair to the couch, another foot away, Rhonda was no longer able to hear the watch. The fact that Rhonda can hear the detect the ticking of the watch from that distance signals a(n) a) difference threshold. b) just-noticeable difference. c) perceptual set. d) absolute threshold. e) subliminal threshold.
d) absolute threshold.
The Gestalt laws of perceptual organization refer to a) bottom-up processing. b) top-down processing. c) bottom-up and top-down processing. d) figure-ground and grouping. e) perceptual constancies.
d) figure-ground and grouping.
The muscle that regulates the amount of light entering the eye is the a) lens. b) cornea. c) pupil. d) iris. e) fovea.
d) iris.
The study of events that cannot be explained by known psychological, physical, or biological mechanisms is referred to as a) extrasensory perception. b) clairvoyance. c) telepathy. d) parapsychology. e) subliminal perception.
d) parapsychology.
A magician makes it appear that a scarf moves by itself from around his neck to the neck of a woman in the audience. The people in the audience who think that the magician has the ability to move things without touching them believe in a) clairvoyance. b) psychophysics. c) precognition. d) psychokinesis. e) telepathy.
d) psychokinesis.
Roger was studying psychology in his quiet bedroom when there was a loud "pop" in the apartment next door. Later, when the police asked him whether he heard a gunshot, he said, "No, I guess I was concentrating too hard on my studies." According to Roger, the fact that he did not detect the signal is due mostly to a) the properties of the stimulus. b) the level of background stimulation. c) his physical condition. d) psychological factors e) the sensitivity of his hearing.
d) psychological factors
The study of how physical sources of stimulation are related to our experience of these stimuli is termed a) sensation. b) perception. c) biophysics. d) psychophysics. e) sensory adaptation.
d) psychophysics.
The role of feature detectors is to a) respond to specific objects such as a house. b) detect color stimuli. c) detect black and white stimuli. d) respond to very simple stimuli such as a horizontal line. e) regulate the size of the pupil.
d) respond to very simple stimuli such as a horizontal line.
To see a dimly lit object at night, the image must fall on your a) fovea. b) blind spot. c) cones. d) rods. e) optic nerve.
d) rods.
All of the following are basic tastes EXCEPT a) sweet. b) salty. c) sour. d) savory. e) bitter.
d) savory.
Women's voices are generally higher than men's voices because their vocal cords tend to be ________ and to vibrate ________. a) shorter; more slowly. b) longer; faster. c) longer; more slowly. d) shorter; faster. e) thinner; more slowly.
d) shorter; faster.
The idea that the threshold for sensing a stimulus depends not only on the properties of the stimulus itself but also on the level of background stimulation is explained by a) Weber's law. b) dual-process theory. c) opponent-process theory. d) signal-detection theory. e) sensory adaptation.
d) signal-detection theory.
Sensations of hotness result from a) stimulation of hot receptors. b) stimulation of warm receptors. c) stimulation of cold receptors. d) simultaneous stimulation of warm and cold receptors. e) stimulation of pain receptors.
d) simultaneous stimulation of warm and cold receptors.
The perception of stimuli that are presented below the threshold of conscious awareness is called a) supraliminal perception. b) extrasensory perception. c) telepathy. d) subliminal perception. e) psychokinesis.
d) subliminal perception.
The brain can detect differences in arrival times to the ears of as little as a) 1 second. b) 1/10 of a second. c) 1/100 of a second. d) 1/1,000 of a second. e) 1/10,000 of a second.
e) 1/10,000 of a second.
Which physical property of a sound wave is represented by its height? a) Pitch b) Frequency c) Timbre d) Audition e) Amplitude
e) Amplitude
Marlee's right eardrum was punctured in an accident when she was three years old. She is deaf in her right eardrum but is helped with a hearing aid that amplifies sound waves. What type of deafness does Marlee have? a) Nerve b) Continuity c) Closure d) Subliminal e) Conduction
e) Conduction
Rico is shown the following stimulus: X. When asked what he sees, Rico reports that he sees two intersecting lines, rather than saying that he sees four separate lines. Rico's response demonstrates which Gestalt principle? a) Closure b) Proximity c) Similarity d) Connectedness e) Continuity
e) Continuity
Who won the Nobel Prize for discovering that the visual cortex contains nerve cells that respond only when an animal is shown a line with a particular orientation? a) Ewald Hering b) Hermann von Helmholtz and Thomas Young c) Ernst Weber d) Gustav Theodor Fechner e) David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel
e) David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel
Cathy takes three treatments of chemotherapy a week. At each session she brings along pleasant music to listen to during her treatment. Cathy is using which method of pain management? a) Meditation b) Biofeedback c) Creating a bottleneck at the "gate" d) Obtaining accurate information e) Distraction
e) Distraction
In what order do the ossicles vibrate during hearing? a) Anvil, hammer, stirrup b) Stirrup, hammer, anvil c) Stirrup, anvil, hammer d) Hammer, stirrup, anvil e) Hammer, anvil, stirrup
e) Hammer, anvil, stirrup
Which of the following is a psychological factor that influences a person's threshold for determining a visual signal? a) The sensitivity of her visual system b) Her level of fatigue c) Her physical health d) Her level of alertness e) Her level of motivation
e) Her level of motivation
Regarding hearing loss, which of the following is true? a) Cochlear implants can help correct damage to the auditory nerve. b) Permanent hearing loss results from prolonged exposure to sounds of at least 60 decibels. c) People with conduction deafness cannot benefit from hearing aids. d) Hearing loss in later life is inevitable. e) Most hearing loss in later life is the result of years of abuse from loud music and noise.
e) Most hearing loss in later life is the result of years of abuse from loud music and noise.
Negative afterimages provide support for which theory of color vision? a) Trichromatic theory b) Feature detection theory c) Color constancy theory d) D. Young-Helmholtz theory e) Opponent-process theory
e) Opponent-process theory
Receptors for which of the following are located deepest in the skin? a) Hot b) Cold c) Pain d) Light touch e) Pressure
e) Pressure
Tony observes an oval bowl on a table from several different perspectives. Although the image on his retina changes, he continues to perceive the bowl as oval. Tony's experience is an example of which constancy? a) Brightness b) Textural c) Size d) Interpositional e) Shape
e) Shape
Which of the following are the chemical senses? a) Touch and smell b) Touch and taste c) Touch, taste, and kinesthesis d) Taste, smell, and kinesthesis e) Taste and smell
e) Taste and smell
At the museum, Leonard stared at a painting of a forest, where the artist used detail to create a sense of depth. The trees that were "closer" appeared rough, with greatly detailed leaves and bark, whereas the ones that were "farther away" appeared smooth and with few details. Which depth cue did the painter use? a) Retinal disparity b) Interposition c) Relative clarity d) Shadowing e) Texture gradient
e) Texture gradient
Dr. Barrington is a cross-cultural researcher in the field of perception. She tests three groups of people to determine their susceptibility to the Müller-Lyer illusion. Group 1 consists of Americans, group 2 consists of members of the African tribe of Zulus, who live in rounded structures in southern Africa, and group 3 consists of Zulus who have relocated to American cities. Generalizing from previous research, what will Barrington find? a) None of the groups will be susceptible to the illusion. b) All three groups will be equally susceptible to the illusion. c) Only the Americans will be susceptible to the illusion. d) Both Zulu groups will be more susceptible to the illusion than the Americans. e) The Americans and the Zulus who have moved to American cities will be more susceptible to the illusion than the African Zulu group.
e) The Americans and the Zulus who have moved to American cities will be more susceptible to the illusion than the African Zulu group.
According to Weber's law, people are most sensitive to changes in which sensation? a) The loudness of sounds b) The heaviness of weight c) The saltiness of food d) The brightness of lights e) The pitch of sounds
e) The pitch of sounds
Which of the following is true about pheromones? a) Pheromones are human sexual hormones. b) Humans lack the receptors needed to sense pheromones. c) Pheromones are not associated with sexual behavior in animals. d) Scientists have found that pheromones influence sexual attraction in humans. e) The role of pheromones in human sexual behavior remains unclear.
e) The role of pheromones in human sexual behavior remains unclear.
Which of your senses takes in information from the movement of fluid in the semicircular canals? a) Audition b) Olfaction c) Kinesthesis d) Taste e) Vestibular
e) Vestibular
Which theory of pitch is used to account for the perception of sounds between 1,000 and 4,000 cycles per second? a) Place theory b) Trichromatic theory c) Frequency theory d) Opponent-process theory e) Volley principle
e) Volley principle
When you scratch your eye, the part that is actually scratched is the a) pupil. b) iris. c) lens. d) fovea. e) cornea.
e) cornea.
Neurons that respond to specific characteristics of the visual stimulus are called a) photoreceptors. b) ganglion cells. c) bipolar cells. d) optic neurons. e) feature detectors.
e) feature detectors.
The nerve cells in the back of the eye that transmit neural impulses in response to chemical changes in the rods and cones are a) bipolar cells. b) optic cells. c) foveal cells. d) retinal cells. e) ganglion cells.
e) ganglion cells.
The photoreceptors, or sensory cells, of the human eye are located in the a) iris. b) lens. c) cornea. d) pupil. e) retina.
e) retina.
In vision, the sensory receptors are called a) ganglion cells. b) hair-cell receptors. c) bipolar cells. d) optic nerves. e) rods and cones.
e) rods and cones.
Olfaction refers to the sense of a) taste. b) touch. c) seeing. d) hearing. e) smell.
e) smell.
the tendency to perceive objects or figures as existing on a background
figure-ground
depth perception seems to develop at which stage of human development?
in early infancy
the bass tones rattling the windows of the car next to you at red light are at a (high or low) pitch
low pitch
things that are close to us appear to move more quickly than those that are further away
motion parallax
there are two kinds of vestibular organs
otolith organs and the semicircular canals
difference between the three primary colors when talking about painting compared to the three primary colors of vision (cones)
primary colors of painting - red, yellow, blue primary colors of vision - red, green, blue
red, green color deficiency
protanopia
long wavelengths are at the _____ end of the visible spectrum whereas short ones are at the ______ end
red, blue
the tendency to interpret an object as always being the same size regardless of its distance from the viewer
size constancy
cooking grease splatters john while he is making breakfast, and he quickly jumps away from the stove. the pain he experiences is best described as __________ pain
somatic
artists use the trick of _____ to give the illusion of depth in a painting
texture gradient
the use of preexisting knowledge to organize individual features into a unified while is known as
top-down processing
amplitude is interpreted as
volume