Unit 4 Test: Sensation & Perception

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

__d_ 1. The area of the retina where the optic nerve leaves the eye is called the
a. pupil.
b. lens.
c. visual cortex.
d. blind spot.
e. cornea.

__c_ 2. Because she was listening to the news on the radio, Mrs. Schultz didn't perceive a word her husband
was saying. Her experience best illustrates
a. choice blindness.
b. gate-control theory.
c. selective attention.
d. gestalt.
e. opponent-process theory.

_a__ 3. Which of the following is the correct order of structures light passes through in the eye?
a. cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina
b. lens, cornea, pupil, retina, iris
c. retina, lens, cornea, rods, cones
d. pupil, cornea, retina, lens, optic nerve
e. pupil, optic nerve, retina, lens, rods

__a_ 4. Which of the following circumstances is most likely to contribute to conduction hearing loss?
a. misuse of Q-tips (cotton swabs) in cleaning your ears
b. failure to use earplugs while working in a noisy factory
c. exposure to unpredictable or uncontrollable noise
d. biological changes linked with aging
e. exposure to very loud rock music

__a_ 5. Sound wave vibrations are transmitted by three tiny bones located in the
a. middle ear.
b. cochlea.
c. inner ear.
d. vestibular sacs.
e. semicircular canals.

__e_ 6. Under very dim levels of illumination

a. feature detectors in the retina activate.
b. rods fire according to place theory to perceive the available light.
c. foveas react to increase the sensitivity of the optic nerve.
 d. the iris expands to allow more light to reach the retina.
e. rods are more light-sensitive than cones.

__e_ 7. Experiments with the visual cliff suggest that

a. unlike other animals, humans do not perceive depth until about 8 months of age.
b. binocular cues are more important than monocular cues.
c. humans must learn to recognize depth.
d. our brains don't learn how to combine signals from both eyes until months after
birth.
e. the ability to perceive depth is at least partly innate.

__e_ 8. According to frequency theory

a. most sound waves are a complex mixture of many frequencies.
b. frequent or prolonged stimulation of a sensory receptor causes that receptor to
become less sensitive.
c. high-frequency sounds trigger a wave of activity that peaks near the beginning of
the basilar membrane.
d. we hear different pitches because different sound waves cause different parts of the
nerve cells in the cochlea to fire.
e. the rate at which impulses travel up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of
the tone being heard.

__c_ 9. The quick succession of briefly flashed images in a motion picture produces
a. frequency theory.
b. retinal disparity.
c. stroboscopic movement.
d. linear perspective.
e. the Ponzo illusion.

__b_ 10. Taste and smell are both what kind of senses?
a. kinesthetic
b. chemical
c. perceptual
d. vestibular
e. energy

__a_ 11. According to the gate-control theory, a back massage would most likely reduce your physical aches
and pains by causing
a. activation of nerve fibers in your spinal cord.
b. deactivation of the pain receptors on the surface of your skin.
c. the release of adrenaline into your bloodstream.
d. release of pain-killing endorphins in your muscles.
e. the cochlea to transduce impulses sent to the spinal cord.

__e_ 12. One of the ways we perceive images is by organizing stimuli into an object seen against its
surroundings. What is this perceptual tendency called?
 a. retinal disparity
b. opponent-process theory
c. binocular cue
d. sensory adaptation
e. figure-ground

__b_ 13. Mr. Kim's experience of chronic back pain is influenced by his cultural background, his attentional
processes, and nerve damage caused by an automobile accident. An integrated understanding of Mr.
Kim's suffering is most clearly provided by
a. Weber's law.
b. a biopsychosocial approach.
c. opponent-process theory.
d. perceptual constancy.
e. the phi phenomenon.

__e_ 14. Sensation is to ________ as perception is to ________.

a. organization; accommodation
b. encoding; detection
c. interpretation; organization
d. threshold; transduction
e. detection; interpretation

__e_ 15. Distant trees were located closer to the top of the artist's canvas than were the nearby flowers. The
artist was clearly using the distance cue known as
a. light and shadow.
b. relative size.
c. interposition.
d. linear perspective.
e. relative height.

__b_ 16. Which of the following is a binocular cue for the perception of distance?
a. linear perspective
b. retinal disparity
c. relative motion
d. visual cliff
e. relative size

__d_ 17. After a small section of his basilar membrane was damaged, Jason experienced a noticeable loss of
hearing for high-pitched sounds only. Jason's hearing loss is best explained by the ________ theory.
a. gate-control
b. opponent-process
c. Young-Helmholtz
d. place
e. frequency
__b_ 18. The minimum amount of stimulation a person needs to detect a stimulus 50 percent of the time is
called the
a. subliminal threshold.
b. absolute threshold.
c. change threshold.
d. adaptation threshold.
e. difference threshold.

__c_ 19. Which theory can best explain why people respond differently to the same stimuli?
a. opponent-process theory
b. the Young-Helmholtz theory
c. signal detection theory
d. bottom-up theory
e. frequency theory

__c_ 20. The ability to detect whether your body is in a horizontal or vertical position depends most directly
on
a. accommodation.
b. subliminal stimulation.
c. the vestibular sense.
d. olfactory receptors.
e. sensory adaptation.

_d__ 21. Movement of the hair cells along the basilar membrane
a. stimulates the taste receptor cells and helps us to distinguish between different
taste sensations.
b. allows us to sense our body's position and movement.
c. causes the olfactory bulb to send signals to the primary smell cortex.
d. initiates transduction and the transmission of neural messages to the auditory
cortex.
e. produces large-fiber activity in the spinal cord that closes the “gate” so we don't
feel pain.

__a_ 22. Sensory adaptation refers to

a. diminishing sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus.
b. the process by which stimulus energies are changed into neural impulses.
c. increasing perception of a constant, annoying stimuli.
d. the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.
e. changes in the shape of the lens as it focuses on objects.

__c_ 23. Some people are better than others at detecting slight variations in the tastes of various blends of
coffee.    This best illustrates the importance of
a. subliminal stimulation.
b. the vestibular sense.
c. difference thresholds.
 d. parallel processing.
e. sensory adaptation.

__d_ 24. Experiencing a green afterimage of a red object is most easily explained by
a. the gate-control theory.
b. the Young-Helmholtz theory.
c. frequency theory.
d. the opponent-process theory.
e. place theory.

__c_ 25. The convergence of parallel lines provides the distance cue known as
a. relative height.
b. continuity.
c. linear perspective.
d. interposition.
e. closure.

__e_ 26. A time lag between left and right auditory stimulation is important for accurately
a. detecting pitch.
b. recognizing rhythms.
c. judging amplitude.
d. determining frequency.
e. locating sounds.

_e__ 27. The sequentially flashing Christmas tree lights appeared to generate pulsating waves of motion. This
best illustrates
a. frequency theory.
b. relative motion.
c. perceptual adaptation.
d. retinal disparity.
e. the phi phenomenon.

__a_ 28. 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. Weber's law.
b. the opponent-process theory.
c. the McGurk effect.
d. sensory adaptation.
e. accommodation.

__e_ 29. As a door opens, it casts an increasingly trapezoidal shape on our retinas; however, we still perceive
it as rectangular. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?
a. figure and ground
b. phi phenomenon
c. perceptual adaptation
d. retinal disparity
 e. shape constancy

_b__ 30. Who emphasized that the whole may exceed the sum of its parts?
a. psychoanalysts
b. Gestalt psychologists
c. parapsychologists
d. evolutionary psychologists
e. behaviorists

__a_ 31. According to the Young-Helmholtz theory

a. the retina contains three kinds of color receptors.
b. certain nerve cells in the brain respond to specific features of a stimulus.
c. the optic nerve processes top-down stimuli.
d. color vision depends on pairs of opposing retinal processes.
e. the size of the difference threshold is proportional to the intensity of the stimulus.

_e_ 32. Which process allows more light to reach the periphery of the retina?
a. sensory adaptation of feature detectors
b. focusing light effectively on the fovea
c. transduction of the blind spot
d. accommodation of the lens
e. dilation of the pupil

__d_ 33. The amplitude of electromagnetic waves determines the ________ of light.
a. wavelength
b. hue
c. absolute threshold
d. brightness
e. difference threshold

__c_ 34. The perceptual tendency to group together stimuli that are near each other is called
a. disparity.
b. perceptual set.
c. proximity.
d. interposition.
e. closure.

__a_ 35. The basilar membrane is located in the

a. cochlea.
b. feature detector.
c. auditory canal.
d. semicircular canal.
e. middle ear.

__d_ 36. Why is transduction important to sensation?

a. It demonstrates how our experiences and expectations affect whether we perceive a
 stimuli.
b. It causes the lens to focus light waves on the retina by changing its curvature.
c. It illustrates how much of information processing occurs automatically.
d. It converts physical stimuli, such as light, into neural messages.
e. It explains our diminishing sensitivity to an unchanging stimulus.

__d_ 37. Which receptor cells most directly enable us to distinguish different wavelengths of light?
a. bipolar cells
b. feature detectors
c. optic nerves
d. cones
e. rods

__e_ 38. Trying to see a hidden representational image in a piece of abstract art by looking carefully at each
element in the picture and trying to form an image employs which kind of perceptual process?
a. retinal disparity
b. selective attention
c. interposition
d. perceptual adaptation
e. bottom-up processing

_d_ 39. A perceptual set is a

a. readiness to perceive an object in an unfairly negative fashion.
b. tendency to fill in gaps to perceive a complete, whole object.
c. conditioned response to a perceived event.
d. mental predisposition that influences what we perceive.
e. tendency to view objects higher in our field of vision as closer.

_e_ 40. The feature detectors identified by Hubel and Weisel respond to specific aspects of ________
stimulation.
a. vestibular
b. kinesthetic
c. olfactory
d. auditory
e. visual
Unit 4 Test: Sensation & Perception
Answer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

REF: Page 126 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: The retina MSC: Factual | Definitional
2. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
REF: Page 117 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 2
TOP: Selective attention MSC: Conceptual
3. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 126 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: The retina MSC: Factual | Definitional
4. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
REF: Page 138 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 11
TOP: Hearing loss and Deaf culture MSC: Conceptual | Application
5. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 135 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 8
TOP: The ear MSC: Factual | Definitional
6. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 126 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: The retina MSC: Factual | Definitional
7. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 153 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 16
TOP: Depth perception MSC: Factual | Definitional
8. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 137 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 9
TOP: Perceiving pitch MSC: Factual | Definitional
9. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 156 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 17
TOP: Motion perception MSC: Factual | Definitional
10. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
REF: Page 148 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 14
TOP: Smell MSC: Factual | Definitional
11. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 143 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 13
TOP: Pain MSC: Conceptual | Application
12. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 151 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 15
TOP: Figure and ground MSC: Factual | Definitional
13. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 145 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 13
TOP: Pain MSC: Conceptual | Application
14. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
 REF: Page 116 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 1
TOP: Sensing the world: some basic principles MSC: Conceptual
15. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 155 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 16
TOP: Depth perception: monocular cues (Figure 4.38) MSC: Conceptual | Application
16. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 153 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 16
TOP: Depth perception: binocular cues MSC: Factual | Definitional
17. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 137 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 9
TOP: Perceiving pitch MSC: Conceptual | Application
18. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 120 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 3
TOP: Absolute thresholds MSC: Factual | Definitional
19. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 121 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 3
TOP: Signal detection MSC: Factual | Definitional
20. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 142 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 12
TOP: Touch MSC: Conceptual
21. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 135 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 8
TOP: The ear MSC: Factual | Definitional
22. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 123 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 3
TOP: Sensory adaptation MSC: Factual | Definitional
23. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 122 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 3
TOP: Difference thresholds MSC: Conceptual | Application
24. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 133 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 7
TOP: Color vision MSC: Factual | Definitional
25. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 155 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 16
TOP: Depth perception: monocular cues MSC: Factual | Definitional
26. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 138 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 10
TOP: Locating sounds MSC: Factual | Definitional
27. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 156 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 17
TOP: Motion perception MSC: Conceptual | Application
28. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 122 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 3
TOP: Difference thresholds MSC: Conceptual | Application
29. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 157 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 18
 TOP: Shape and size constancies MSC: Factual | Definitional
30. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 151 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 15
TOP: Perceptual organization MSC: Factual | Definitional
31. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 132 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 7
TOP: Color vision MSC: Factual | Definitional
32. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
REF: Page 126 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: The eye MSC: Factual | Definitional
33. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 125 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: The stimulus input: light energy MSC: Factual | Definitional
34. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 152 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 15
TOP: Grouping MSC: Factual | Definitional
35. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 135 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 8
TOP: The ear MSC: Factual | Definitional
36. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 124 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: Vision MSC: Conceptual | Application
37. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 126 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 4
TOP: The retina MSC: Factual | Definitional
38. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 116 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 1
TOP: Sensing the world: some basic principles MSC: Conceptual | Application
39. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Medium
REF: Page 161 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 20
TOP: Perceptual set MSC: Factual | Definitional
40. ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
REF: Page 129 | Section- Sensation and Perception OBJ: 5
TOP: Feature detection MSC: Factual | Definitional