Biology and Sensation

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AP Psychology › Biology and Sensation

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following describes the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is a bottom-up process and perception is a top-down process

Sensation requires transduction an perception does not

Perception requires transduction and sensation does not

None of these

Perception is a bottom-up process and sensation is a top-down process

Explanation

Sensation can be described as the process of how our nervous system and sensory receptors receive and translate stimuli from our environment. Perception is the process by which our brains organize and interpret sensory stimuli, which allows us to recognize significant events and objects. Sensation functions as a bottom-up process because it starts at a smaller level and works its way up (i.e. from sensory receptors to processing centers). Perception functions as a top-down process because it starts at a larger level and gets smaller as it continues (i.e. from the sensory input down to our expectations and experiences).

2

Which of these is not a monocular depth cue?

Retinal disparity

Perspective

Relative size

Occlusion

Texture gradient

Explanation

Our brains use the differences in the location of an object on our retinas in order to judge their relative distance from one another. This requires two eyes, and thus is binocular. The other cues listed require only one eye (monocular).

3

Which of the following is true regarding subliminal perceptions?

They are defined as the perception of stimuli which are presented too weakly or quickly to be recognized consciously.

They are highly effective at influencing behavior.

They are used frequently by advertisers to increase the sales of products.

They can produce significant changes in a person's emotions.

Explanation

Subliminal perceptions are those that involve stimuli occurring too weakly or quickly to be recognized consciously. When these were first discovered, there was much excitement and concern over the potential applications of non-conscious perceptions to the field of advertising. Although many subliminal ads were created and tested, it has since become apparent that they are largely ineffective. Although subliminal perceptions can alter behavior in laboratory settings, they fail to have a significant impact on human behavior—especially in the area of complex decision making that interested marketers. Subliminal perceptions also fail to produce significant changes in emotions, and—if anything—have a weak or negligible effect at best.

4

What is the name for the least amount of energy required for a sensation to take place?

The absolute threshold

The minimum threshold

Transduction

The just noticeable difference

Explanation

The minimum amount of energy for a stimulus to be registered as a sensation is known as the absolute threshold. Any stimulus that occurs too weakly to surpass this threshold will not result in a sensation, and will thus be undetected.

The just noticeable difference refers to the minimum amount of change in a stimulus necessary for a difference in its intensity to be recognized.

Transduction is the conversion of energy from one form into another, for example, from light energy into electrical energy during vision.

The minimum threshold may sound like the correct answer, but it is in fact not the correct term. The absolute threshold is the appropriate label for the phenomenon.

5

What is the role of the myelin sheath?

The myelin sheath insulates neurons and speeds their transmission of signals.

The myelin sheath protects neurons from radiation damage.

The myelin sheath protects neurons from attack by pathogens.

The myelin sheath secures neurons in place.

The myelin sheath nourishes the neurons.

Explanation

Myelin is a fatty substance produced by glial cells which encases some neurons and serves to insulate them, allowing electrical signals to transmit more quickly along them. Myelin cannot protect the neurons from radiation damage, or from attack by pathogens. Glial cells in the brain form myelin, and contribute to the nourishment and support of nerve cells; however, myelin itself does not serve this function. When myelin deteriorates, nerve transmission can be impaired, as in the case of multiple sclerosis.

6

Which of the following is the term for information that is processed below the threshold for conscious awareness?

Subliminal

Paranormal

Subtypical

Unconsciousness

Explanation

"Subliminal" is defined as "beneath the threshold" and it refers to information which is processed without entering into consciousness. Such information has been demonstrated to impact decision making in laboratory conditions, but failed to provide a significant enough influence to justify its use in advertising or politics. This allayed the concerns over a possible "brainwashing" of the public by the media which arose when this phenomenon was discovered.

Though in Freudian terminology the subconsciousness is described as a component of mental life which is inaccessible to regular consciousness, "unconsciousness" does not match this or the correct answer to the question. Finally, subliminal information is not "paranormal," or outside of the natural laws of physics, in any regard, and neither is it "subtypical", which is in fact, not a word at all.

7

Which of the following is true regarding subliminal perceptions?

They are defined as the perception of stimuli which are presented too weakly or quickly to be recognized consciously.

They are highly effective at influencing behavior.

They are used frequently by advertisers to increase the sales of products.

They can produce significant changes in a person's emotions.

Explanation

Subliminal perceptions are those that involve stimuli occurring too weakly or quickly to be recognized consciously. When these were first discovered, there was much excitement and concern over the potential applications of non-conscious perceptions to the field of advertising. Although many subliminal ads were created and tested, it has since become apparent that they are largely ineffective. Although subliminal perceptions can alter behavior in laboratory settings, they fail to have a significant impact on human behavior—especially in the area of complex decision making that interested marketers. Subliminal perceptions also fail to produce significant changes in emotions, and—if anything—have a weak or negligible effect at best.

8

Which of the following describes the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is a bottom-up process and perception is a top-down process

Sensation requires transduction an perception does not

Perception requires transduction and sensation does not

None of these

Perception is a bottom-up process and sensation is a top-down process

Explanation

Sensation can be described as the process of how our nervous system and sensory receptors receive and translate stimuli from our environment. Perception is the process by which our brains organize and interpret sensory stimuli, which allows us to recognize significant events and objects. Sensation functions as a bottom-up process because it starts at a smaller level and works its way up (i.e. from sensory receptors to processing centers). Perception functions as a top-down process because it starts at a larger level and gets smaller as it continues (i.e. from the sensory input down to our expectations and experiences).

9

Which of the following describes the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is a bottom-up process and perception is a top-down process

Sensation requires transduction an perception does not

Perception requires transduction and sensation does not

None of these

Perception is a bottom-up process and sensation is a top-down process

Explanation

Sensation can be described as the process of how our nervous system and sensory receptors receive and translate stimuli from our environment. Perception is the process by which our brains organize and interpret sensory stimuli, which allows us to recognize significant events and objects. Sensation functions as a bottom-up process because it starts at a smaller level and works its way up (i.e. from sensory receptors to processing centers). Perception functions as a top-down process because it starts at a larger level and gets smaller as it continues (i.e. from the sensory input down to our expectations and experiences).

10

Which of the following is the term for information that is processed below the threshold for conscious awareness?

Subliminal

Paranormal

Subtypical

Unconsciousness

Explanation

"Subliminal" is defined as "beneath the threshold" and it refers to information which is processed without entering into consciousness. Such information has been demonstrated to impact decision making in laboratory conditions, but failed to provide a significant enough influence to justify its use in advertising or politics. This allayed the concerns over a possible "brainwashing" of the public by the media which arose when this phenomenon was discovered.

Though in Freudian terminology the subconsciousness is described as a component of mental life which is inaccessible to regular consciousness, "unconsciousness" does not match this or the correct answer to the question. Finally, subliminal information is not "paranormal," or outside of the natural laws of physics, in any regard, and neither is it "subtypical", which is in fact, not a word at all.

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