1810 - Chapter 3 - Sensation and Perception

What term describes the process by which we receive, transform, and process stimuli from the outside world to create sensory experiences?

• Sensation

• Threshold

• Knowledge

• Acquisition

Answer explanation

The term 'sensation' refers to the process of receiving and processing stimuli from the environment, leading to sensory experiences. It encompasses how we perceive the world through our senses.

Sensory receptors are

• neurons that carry electrical signals from sensory organs to the spinal cord.

• specialized nerve cells that detect sensory stimuli and convert them into neural impulses.

• sensory organs such as the eyes and ears.

• specialized nerve cells that are only sensitive to pain and heat.

Answer explanation

Sensory receptors are specialized nerve cells that detect sensory stimuli, such as light and sound, and convert them into neural impulses, which are then transmitted to the brain for processing.

The minimal difference in the magnitude of energy needed for people to detect a difference between two stimuli is the

• difference threshold.

• relative threshold.

• minimum receptivity.

• absolute threshold.

Answer explanation

The difference threshold refers to the minimal change in stimulus intensity that can be detected. It is crucial for distinguishing between two stimuli, making it the correct answer.

Byron is a bodybuilder lifting weights at his local gym. He can currently lift 200 pounds, but probably would not notice a difference in the amount of weight he is lifting unless it was greater than four pounds. This example illustrates

• Freud’s thesis.

• Jung’s hypothesis.

• Bandura’s maxim.

• Weber’s law.

Answer explanation

This example illustrates Weber's law, which states that the smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected is a constant proportion of the original stimulus. Byron notices a difference only when the weight exceeds four pounds.

After sitting near an air conditioner for a while, Abraham hardly notices the sound. His reduced sensitivity reflects the principle of

• a difference threshold.

• sensory adaptation.

• perceptual bias.

• perceptual constancy.

Answer explanation

Abraham's reduced sensitivity to the air conditioner's sound illustrates sensory adaptation, where prolonged exposure to a stimulus decreases our awareness of it.

Emily is interested in determining her absolute threshold for noticing sounds. If she wanted to construct a test of her absolute threshold, she should

• try to see if she can notice the difference in loudness after turning down the volume on her speakers by only one notch.

• attempt to recognize the differences in tone between popular music and classical music.

• play a series of sounds at softer and softer levels until she is no longer able to hear anything.

• compare the differences between sounds with loud pitches and sounds with medium pitches.

Answer explanation

To determine her absolute threshold for sound, Emily should play sounds at progressively softer levels until she can no longer hear them. This method directly tests the faintest sound she can detect.

The process by which the lens changes its shape to focus images more clearly on the retina is called

• sublimation.

• refraction.

• accommodation.

• transference.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'accommodation.' This process allows the lens of the eye to change shape, enabling it to focus light more effectively on the retina for clearer images.

People with normal color vision who can discern all the colors of the visual spectrum are called

• chromoatypes.

• trichromats.

• monochromats.

• dichromats.

Answer explanation

People with normal color vision who can see all colors of the spectrum are called trichromats. This term refers to individuals with three types of color receptors in their eyes, allowing them to perceive a wide range of colors.

The highness or lowness of a sound that corresponds to the frequency of the sound wave is

• volume.

• audition.

• pitch.

• amplitude.

Answer explanation

The highness or lowness of a sound is referred to as pitch, which directly corresponds to the frequency of the sound wave. Volume relates to loudness, while amplitude refers to the strength of the wave.

In order to produce the experience of smell, your nose must transmit information to the brain via the

• ocular nerve.

• auditory nerve.

• gustatory nerve.

• olfactory nerve.

Answer explanation

The olfactory nerve is responsible for transmitting smell information from the nose to the brain. The other options (ocular, auditory, and gustatory nerves) are related to vision, hearing, and taste, respectively.