Sensation is to __________ as perception is to __________.

Detecting a stimulus; recognizing a stimulus

Recognizing a stimulus; detecting a stimulus

Interpreting a stimulus; detecting a stimulus

Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Processing

Quiz

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Social Studies

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9th - 12th Grade

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Practice Problem

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Easy

Daniella Gentile

Used 40+ times

FREE Resource

About this resource

This quiz focuses on sensation and perception in psychology, specifically examining the distinction between top-down and bottom-up processing along with fundamental concepts about sensory systems. The content is appropriate for grades 9-12, aligning with introductory psychology coursework typically offered at the high school level. Students need to understand that bottom-up processing involves building perception from basic sensory input without prior knowledge, while top-down processing uses existing knowledge, expectations, and experience to interpret sensory information. The core concepts require students to differentiate between sensation (the detection of physical stimuli) and perception (the organization and interpretation of that sensory information), recognize how prior experience influences perceptual interpretation, and identify basic sensory organs and their functions. Students must apply these theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios, such as puzzle-solving strategies and skill development over time. Created by Daniella Gentile, a Social Studies teacher in Australia who teaches grades 9-12. This quiz serves as an excellent tool for introducing or reviewing fundamental concepts in psychology, particularly sensation and perception theory. Teachers can utilize this assessment as a formative evaluation to gauge student understanding before moving into more complex perceptual phenomena, or as homework to reinforce classroom discussions about cognitive processing. The quiz works effectively as a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge or as review material before unit assessments. The scenarios presented help students connect abstract psychological concepts to concrete, relatable experiences. This assessment aligns with standards such as NCSS.D2.Civ.1.9-12 for understanding human behavior and social interactions, and supports interdisciplinary connections between social studies and psychology curricula at the secondary level.

Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Processing

14 questions

Alison opened her new jigsaw but soon realized that the puzzle pieces inside had nothing to do with the picture on the box. She completed the puzzle by grouping pieces by colour. Which of the following did Allison use?

The first time Joe had to put together a bicycle, it took a long time. Now that he has built several bicycles, he can put together a bicycle quickly and easily because he knows what the final product should look like. Joe's improved speed and skill can be attributed to ____.

Organizing information into meaningful experiences is called

Sensation is to as perception is to .

________ occurs when sensory information is organized, interpreted, and consciously experienced.

________________ processing refers to how the physical characteristics of stimuli influence their interpretation. In other words, taking in a stimulus without any previous knowledge.

the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information, enabling us to recognize meaningful objects and events. Is this a candlestick or two people's faces depends on our

When you are trying out a new food and trying to determine the taste & flavor, you are using this process

The effect of prior experience and current expectations on perception best illustrates the importance of

What body part do you use to see?

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