Question 1

The fact that, when we look at an object, each one of our two eyes receives a slightly different image of the object is known as __________

Accepted Answer

Binocular disparity refers to the slight difference between the images received by each eye when looking at an object, which allows for depth perception and stereoscopic vision.

Question 2

The ability to see the world in three dimensions is called __________

Accepted Answer

Depth perception refers to the ability to see the world in three dimensions, which includes perceiving distance, depth, and the relative size of objects. Option B, similarity, refers to the perceptual process of grouping together objects that are similar in some way. Option C, top-down processing, refers to the brain’s use of pre-existing knowledge and context to interpret sensory information. Option D, closure, refers to the brain’s ability to fill in missing information based on perceptual cues.

Question 3

Texture gradient refers to the fact that texture appears to become __________

Accepted Answer

Texture gradient refers to the fact that texture appears to become less detailed in the distance, as distant objects appear smaller and their details blend together.

Question 4

Which of the following occurs when because one object appears to be blocking another object, the viewer assumes that the blocked object is farther away?

Accepted Answer

Interposition occurs when one object is in front of another, which causes the viewer to assume that the obstructed object is farther away. This is also known as overlap. Convergence refers to the inward turning of the eyes when focusing on a nearby object, linear perspective refers to the way parallel lines appear to converge in the distance, and texture gradient refers to the way the texture of a surface appears to change as it recedes into the distance.

Question 5

An illusion __________

Accepted Answer

An illusion is a perception that does not correspond to reality. It is a false interpretation of sensory information. It is not the same as a vision, which is a real perception of something in the external world, and it is not directly related to something that was dreamed. The action of the rods versus the cones in the retina may contribute to some illusions, but it is not the defining characteristic.

Question 6

A piece of paper looks white in both the noonday sun and under moonlight, even though there is less light being reflected off the paper under moonlight. This form of perceptual constancy is called __________

Accepted Answer

Brightness constancy refers to the ability of our perceptual system to maintain a consistent perception of the brightness of an object despite variations in lighting conditions. In this case, even though there is less light reflecting off the paper under moonlight, our perceptual system maintains a consistent perception of the paper's whiteness.

Question 7

When Bill looks at his lamp alternately with his left eye and right eye, the image seems to jump from one position to another. This phenomenon illustrates __________

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Bill looks at his lamp alternately...

Question 8

The depth cue in which faraway objects appear to be hazy and have a blurred outline is called __________

Accepted Answer

The depth cue described is known as Atmospheric perspective, due to the way that distant objects appear obscured by the atmosphere, causing them to appear hazy, blue tinted, and less distinct or sharp-edged than closer objects. Linear perspective involves parallel lines converging in the distance, shadowing involves the placement and intensity of shadows, and motion parallax involves the apparent movement of objects as an observer moves through space.

Question 9

Even though the typical retinal image is elliptical, we perceive pennies as round because of __________

Accepted Answer

Shape constancy is the perception of an object's shape as being consistent and unchanging, even when viewed from different angles or distances. In this case, despite the elliptical retinal image of a penny, we still perceive it as round because of shape constancy.

Question 10

The distance cue in which two parallel lines extend into the distance and seem to come together at one point is called __________

Accepted Answer

This is a classic description of linear perspective, which is a powerful cue for inferring depth and distance in visual scenes. Shadowing and aerial perspective can also provide important information, but they are not specific to parallel lines coming together in the distance. Motion parallax involves the way that objects near us move more quickly across our visual field than objects that are farther away, which can also help us estimate depth and distance. However, this is not the cue being described in the question.

Question 11

Boring's "Old Woman/Young Woman" picture is an example of __________

Accepted Answer

The "Old Woman/Young Woman" picture is an example of an ambiguous figure, as it can be interpreted in two different ways depending on which figure is perceived as the foreground or background.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a monocular cue for depth?

Accepted Answer

Convergence is a binocular cue for depth perception, relying on the movement of both eyes working together to perceive the distance of an object. Monocular cues for depth perception rely on information from one eye only, such as relative size, motion parallax, and texture gradient.

Question 13

Visual distance and depth cues that require the use of both eyes are called __________

Accepted Answer

Binocular cues require the use of both eyes to perceive depth and distance in the visual environment, such as convergence and stereopsis. Monocular cues, on the other hand, can be perceived with only one eye, such as relative size, linear perspective, and texture gradient. Diocular and dichromatic cues are not relevant terms in the context of depth perception.

Question 14

This visual phenomenon was first discussed by Max Wertheimer.

Accepted Answer

Max Wertheimer first discussed the visual phenomenon of phi, which refers to the illusion of movement created by presenting two or more stationary stimuli in quick succession. This is also known as the phi phenomenon or apparent motion.

Question 15

__________ is observed when larger objects are perceived as being closer, and smaller objects are seen as being further away.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as relative size, where the size of an object can give the viewer an idea of its distance. Larger objects appear closer while smaller objects appear further away. Interposition refers to objects overlapping each other in a visual field while linear perspective deals with the perceived convergence of lines. Convergence is the perception of the eyes turning inward as objects get closer.

Question 16

Many psychologists believe that tension of the eye muscles as they converge conveys information to the brain that serves as a cue for __________

Accepted Answer

Tension of the eye muscles as they converge, or move closer together, is a key component of binocular depth perception. This process, called convergence, allows the brain to compute the distance between the observer and the object being viewed.

Question 17

Jamie is sitting in a parked train next to a window. Suddenly, another train goes whisking past the train Jamie is on. Even though Jamie's train is still parked, Jamie reacts as if it is moving. This is an example of __________

Accepted Answer

Jamie's perception of motion is not based on actual movement of the train, but rather on the relative movement of the surrounding environment. This phenomenon is called apparent motion.

Question 18

Convergence and retinal disparity are both examples of __________

Accepted Answer

Convergence and retinal disparity are both examples of binocular depth cues, which means they rely on the input from both eyes to create a perception of depth. Monocular depth cues, such as linear perspective, rely on input from one eye only. Interposition is another monocular depth cue that occurs when one object is in front of another.

Question 19

This allows us to climb and descend stairs without stumbling.

Accepted Answer

Depth perception is the ability to perceive the distance of an object or surface from the observer. This is necessary for activities such as climbing and descending stairs, where depth perception helps us judge the height and location of each step to avoid stumbling or missteps. Shape continuity refers to the ability to perceive an object as continuous despite changes in position or appearance, and is not directly related to stair-climbing. Binocular disparity refers to the differences in the images received by each eye, which our brain interprets to create 3D depth perception. While binocular disparity is related to depth perception, it is not the best choice for this particular scenario. Serial perspective is not a recognized term in psychology or perception.

Question 20

Norbert is looking at his finger tip as it approaches and eventually touches his nose. What Norbert is doing is a demonstration of __________

Accepted Answer

Convergence refers to the inward movement of the eyes as they focus on nearby objects, which Norbert is doing as his finger approaches his nose. Binocular disparity refers to the slight difference in the images projected onto each eye, Closure is the ability to complete incomplete figures, and Interposition is when one object partially covers another, neither of which apply to Norbert's actions.

Quiz 3: Sensation and Perception