Sensation and Perception

Our sense of smell may be a powerful trigger for memories because

• we are conditioned from birth to make strong connections between smells and events.

• the nerve connecting the olfactory bulb sends impulses directly to the limbic system.

• the receptors at the top of each nostril connect with the cortex.

• smell is a powerful cue for encoding memories into long-term memory.

The cochlea is responsible for

• protecting the surface of the eye.

• transmitting vibrations received by the eardrum to the hammer, anvil, and stirrup.

• transforming vibrations into neural signals.

• coordinating impulses from the rods and cones in the retina.

In a perception research lab, you are asked to describe the shape of the top of a box as the box is slowly rotated. Which concept are the researchers most likely investigating?

• feature detectors in the occipital lobe

• placement of the rods and cones in the retina

• binocular depth cues

• shape constancy

The blind spot in our eye results from

• the lack of receptors at the spot where the optic nerve connects to the retina.

• the shadow the pupil makes on the retina.

• competing processing between the visual cortices in the left and right hemisphere.

• floating debris in the space between the lens and retina.

Smell and taste are called ___________ because __________

• energy senses; they send impulses to the brain in the form of electric energy.

• chemical senses; they detect chemicals in what we taste and smell.

• flavor senses; smell and taste combine to create flavor.

• chemical senses; they send impulses to the brain in the form of chemicals.

What is the principal difference between amplitude and frequency in the context of sound waves?

• Amplitude is detected in the cochlea, whereas frequency is detected in the auditory cortex.

• Amplitude is the height of the sound wave, whereas frequency is a measure of how frequently the sound waves pass a given point.

• Both measure qualities of sound, but frequency is a more accurate measure since it measures the shapes of the waves rather than the strength of the waves.

• Frequency is a measure for light waves, whereas amplitude is a measure for sound waves.

Weber's law determines

• absolute threshold.

• level of subliminal messages.

• amplitude of sound waves.

• just-noticeable difference.

Gate-control theory refers to

• which sensory impulses are transmitted first from each sense.

• which pain messages are received.

• interfering sound waves, causing some waves to be undetected.

• the gate at the optic chiasm controlling the destination hemisphere for visual information from each eye.

If you had sight in only one eye, which of the following depth cues could you NOT use?

• texture gradient

• convergence

• linear perspetive

• interposition

Which of the following sentences best describes the relationship sensation and perception?

• Sensation is a strictly mechanical process, whereas perception is a cognitive process.

• Perception is an advanced form of sensation.

• Sensation happens in the senses, whereas perception happens in the brain.

• Sensation is detecting stimuli, perception is interpreting stimuli.