Quiz on Sensation and Perception

Match the following types of processing with their characteristics.

• Processing that involves internal cognitive processes influencing perception.

• A. bottom-up

• Processing that starts with sensory input and builds up to perception.

• C. outside-in

• Processing influenced by prior knowledge and expectations.

• D. top-down

• Processing that involves external stimuli affecting internal states.

• B. inside-out

Answer explanation

Top-down processing involves interpreting sensations based on prior knowledge and expectations, making it the correct choice. In contrast, bottom-up processing starts with sensory input without preconceived notions.

During a science class, Christian learned that when his ears receive sound waves, they convert this energy into neural messages that travel to his brain and are processed as sounds. This is an example of _______.

• A. perception

• B. sensation

• C. transduction

• D. interpretation

Answer explanation

The process of your ears converting sound waves into neural messages is known as sensation. It refers to the initial detection of stimuli, while perception involves interpreting those sensations.

During a science class, Kylie and Jayden were discussing how the brain interprets the sound of a bell ringing. What is the term for the process where this sensory information is converted into neural signals?

• a just noticeable difference

• subliminal perception

• top-down processing

• transduction

Answer explanation

The correct term for the process where sensory information is converted into neural signals is 'transduction'. This process allows our sensory systems to interpret stimuli from the environment.

The concept demonstrated when Sophie and Percy fail to notice a red cross passing across a screen while focusing on other objects is (a)   .

• bottom-up processing

• inattentional blindness

• sensory adaptation

• top-down processing

Answer explanation

The concept demonstrated is inattentional blindness, where individuals fail to notice an unexpected stimulus (the red cross) while focusing on other tasks, highlighting limitations in attention.

During a biology class, Logan learned that the nerve that carries visual information from the retina to the brain is the (a)   nerve.

• corneal

• acoustic

• optic

• gustatory

Answer explanation

The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain, making it the correct choice. The other options relate to different sensory functions.

Sophie extended her arm in front of her and then extended one of her fingers. She focused on that finger. Next, she closed her left eye without moving her head; then she opened her left eye and closed her right eye without moving her head. She noticed that her finger seemed to shift as she alternated between the two eyes because of the slightly different view each eye had of her finger. What is illustrated by this example?

• binocular disparity

• bottom-up processing

• oculomotor convergence

• top-down processing

Answer explanation

Akeelah's observation of her finger shifting between her left and right eyes illustrates binocular disparity, which is the slight difference in images seen by each eye, aiding depth perception.

Roscoe is standing on one leg with his arms in the air. The ________ sense helps keep him balanced so he has less chance of falling over.

• nociception

• proprioception

• somatosensation

• vestibular

Answer explanation

The vestibular sense is crucial for balance, as it helps Vinnie maintain his stability while standing on one leg. It detects changes in head position and motion, preventing him from falling over.

Isabella and Jayden were watching a flock of birds flying overhead, each very close to the next one, and they perceived them as all being part of the same group. This distinction takes advantage of which Gestalt principle?

• proximity

• closure

• similarity

• continuity

Answer explanation

The Gestalt principle of proximity explains how we perceive objects that are close together as a group. In this case, the birds flying closely together are seen as part of the same flock due to their proximity.

Match the following theorists with their contributions to the perception of stimulus change.

• Developed the concept of the just-noticeable difference (JND)

• Wilhelm Wundt

• Considered the father of experimental psychology

• Ernst Weber

• Discussed our ability to perceive a change in a stimulus as being relative to the amount of change versus the intensity of the original stimulus

• Hermann von Helmholtz

• Known for the theory of color vision and auditory perception

• Gustav Fechner

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Ernst Weber, who is known for Weber's Law, which states that the perception of change in a stimulus is relative to the original stimulus's intensity, highlighting the importance of relative change.

During a biology class, Jayden asked the teacher which sensory system is involved in the perception of pain. The teacher explained that it is (a)   .

• Thermoception

• Nociception

• Proprioception

• Kinesthesia

Answer explanation

Nociception is the sensory system specifically responsible for detecting and processing pain signals. It differs from thermoception (temperature), proprioception (body position), and kinesthesia (movement awareness).