222 attention + perception

In the context of visual perception, the “proximal stimulus” refers to:

• The mental interpretation of a stimulus

• The object in the environment

• The image formed on the retina

• The stored knowledge used for interpretation

What does the principle of “figure-ground” organization emphasize?

• That all perception is unconscious

• That stimuli are perceived only if attended to

• That perception separates stimuli into focal objects and backgrounds

• That color dominates shape in visual perception

Which Gestalt principle is best illustrated by a flock of birds flying in the same direction?

• Similarity

• Common fate

• Closure

• Good continuation

The principle of Prägnanz suggests that we tend to perceive:

• The most complex interpretation possible

• The most meaningful and organized pattern

• All stimuli equally, regardless of structure

• Perception is irrelevant to behavior

Which principle explains why we see a circle even if parts of the outline are missing?

• Similarity

• Good continuation

• Closure

• Proximity

The Himba tribe’s local perceptual bias reflects cultural differences in:

• Retinal sensitivity

• Linguistic coding

• Global vs local precedence

• Template availability

When proximity and similarity conflict, research shows:

• Similarity dominates

• Proximity dominates

• Neither principle is activated

• Closure overrules both

Which of the following is not a core principle of Gestalt organization?

• Proximity

• Prototype matching

• Similarity

• Good continuation

The tendency to process the overall configuration before individual parts is known as:

• Feature analysis

• Global precedence

• Template matching

• Attention shifting

Which of the following would the Gestalt school most strongly disagree with?

• The whole is more than the sum of its parts

• Perception is influenced by grouping laws

• Stimulus meaning is irrelevant

• Stimuli are organized automatically into wholes