Question 1

Information processing that begins with your thoughts, expectations, and knowledge and ends at the sensory level is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Top-down processing is the type of information processing that starts with the brain's higher-level cognitive processes, such as expectations and knowledge, and works down to the sensory data. It contrasts with bottom-up processing, which begins with sensory input and works up to the interpretation in the brain.

Question 2

When you are able to read words that have the letters mixed up just because you are expecting certain words to appear, you are engaged in ________ processing.

Accepted Answer

Top-down processing involves using background knowledge or expectations to interpret incoming information, which is what happens when you can read jumbled words because you anticipate certain words to appear.

Question 3

_______ is/are the mind's window to the outside world.

Accepted Answer

Our senses act as the primary interface between our brain and the external environment, allowing us to perceive and interact with the world around us.

Question 4

Coding converts sensory input into a specific sensation and is dependent upon the _____.

Accepted Answer

Coding in the context of sensory input refers to how different stimuli are represented in the brain. The key factor in this process is the neural pathway that carries the information from the sensory receptors to the brain. Different pathways are responsible for transmitting different types of sensory information, which allows the brain to distinguish between various sensations.

Question 5

Sensory receptors are cells that are specialized _____.

Accepted Answer

Sensory receptors are cells that are specialized to receive and process distinct sensory information.

Question 6

When you look up at the sky and simply notice the clouds, you are engaging in the process of _____; when you try to organize the clouds into recognizable shapes or objects, you are engaging in the process of _____.

Accepted Answer

Sensation refers to the process of sensing our environment through touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. This information is sent to our brains in raw form where perception comes into play. Perception is the way we interpret these sensations and therefore make sense of everything around us. When looking at clouds, initially noticing them involves sensation, and then interpreting shapes within them involves perception.

Question 7

The process of selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensory data into meaningful objects and events is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Perception is the cognitive process that involves selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensory information to make sense of it and understand the environment.

Question 8

Sensory detection happens when our_______ detect and process sensory information from the environment.

Accepted Answer

Sensory detection occurs when our receptors detect and process sensory information from the environment. These receptors are specialized cells capable of responding to various forms of environmental stimuli, such as light, sound, touch, and chemicals, and converting them into neural signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

Question 9

Information processing that begins with smaller sensory features and finishes with completed perceptions is called _____ processing.

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing is the approach in information processing that starts with the sensory input and builds up to the final perception. It is the process of piecing together individual components or elements to form a complete perception or understanding.

Question 10

When you listen to music, the sound waves are converted into neural impulses for your brain to process.This is called _____.

Accepted Answer

Transduction is the process by which sensory stimuli are converted into neural impulses that the brain can interpret.

Question 11

Sensation is the process of _____ raw sensory data from the internal and external world and transmitting it to the brain.

Accepted Answer

Sensation involves detecting environmental stimuli, converting these stimuli into neural signals, and transmitting this information to the brain for further processing.

Question 12

Tiny cells on your retina are detecting the contours of the letters on this page and sending that information to your brain.These are your _____ for vision.

Accepted Answer

Receptors in the retina, such as rods and cones, are responsible for detecting light and visual information, including contours, and sending that information to the brain for processing, thus playing a crucial role in vision.

Question 13

Bottom-up processing is _____ driven, whereas top-down processing is ______ driven.

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing is driven by the sensory input (data) from the environment, whereas top-down processing is driven by our concepts, knowledge, expectations, and experiences.

Question 14

Bottom-up processing starts its work with ____, whereas top-down processing begins its functions with _________.

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing starts with sensation, as it involves processing sensory information as it is coming in. Top-down processing, on the other hand, begins with perception, which involves interpreting sensory information based on previous knowledge and expectations.

Question 15

Converting physical stimuli into distinct sensations is the process known as _________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Converting physical stimuli into distinct sensations is...

Question 16

Brittany received a package in the mail that contained wood pieces she thought must be the new cabinet she ordered, but there were no directions.In order to assemble this cabinet, Brittany must use ________.

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing involves building a perception from the smallest pieces of sensory information, which is what Brittany would need to do to assemble the cabinet without directions.

Question 17

Transduction is the process of converting _____.

Accepted Answer

Transduction refers to the conversion of environmental stimuli into neural impulses that the brain can interpret, allowing organisms to perceive the world around them.

Question 18

The three key functions of sensation are, respectively, _____.

Accepted Answer

Detection, conversion, and transmission are the three key functions of sensation, where sensory systems first detect stimuli, convert (or transduce) them into neural signals, and then transmit these signals to the brain for processing.

Question 19

Your visual receptors have begun to detect, convert, and transmit the contours of the letters on this exam to your brain.You are therefore engaged in the process of _____.

Accepted Answer

Sensation is the process of detecting and converting physical stimuli into electrical signals that can be transmitted to the brain. In this case, the visual receptors are detecting the contours of the letters on the exam and converting them into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain.

Question 20

Avita believes that people who share an astrological sign are compatible.When she met Gary, whose sign was compatible with hers, she immediately saw him as "perfect" for her.This is an example of _____ processing.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of top-down processing because Avita is using her pre-existing beliefs about astrological compatibility to interpret new information (meeting Gary) and make judgments about him. Top-down processing involves using background knowledge to influence perception.

Quiz 4: Sensation and Perception