Question 1

The eye transduces the physical energy of light into:

Accepted Answer

The eye transforms the physical energy of light into a neural code that can be processed by the brain. This process is called transduction, and it occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the retina (rods and cones) convert the energy of photons into electrical signals that can be transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve.

Question 2

A size constancy mechanism helps us to:

Accepted Answer

Size constancy mechanism allows us to perceive an object as having a constant size, even when its distance from us changes, which alters the size of the image on the retina.

Question 3

The information projected to each eye is slightly different, and this gives a clue to distance known as:

Accepted Answer

Binocular parallax refers to the slight difference in the images projected to each eye due to their different positions on the face. This difference is a crucial depth cue that allows for the perception of depth and distance, which is why it is the correct answer.

Question 4

"Motion parallax" refers to:

Accepted Answer

Motion parallax is a depth cue that involves the apparent relative movement of objects as the observer moves. Objects closer to the observer appear to move faster than objects that are farther away, providing information about the relative distance of objects in the scene.

Question 5

Who famously said that the newborn's world is a "blooming, buzzing confusion"?

Accepted Answer

The quote "blooming, buzzing confusion" is most famously attributed to philosopher and psychologist William James in his book "The Principles of Psychology" published in 1890.

Question 6

Gibson and Walk's (1960) visual cliff was reputedly inspired by:

Accepted Answer

According to research, Gibson and Walk's (1960) visual cliff was inspired by the depth of the Grand Canyon.

Question 7

The aim in developing the visual cliff was to investigate whether babies:

Accepted Answer

The visual cliff was developed to investigate whether babies are reluctant to venture onto the deep side, which is a drop-off covered by a glass surface. The experiment was conducted to test whether infants have developed depth perception and whether they can perceive the danger of the drop-off. The study found that babies do exhibit reluctance to venture onto the deep side, which suggests the development of depth perception.

Question 8

By what mechanism do babies perceive depth, according to Gibson and Walk?

Accepted Answer

According to Gibson and Walk, babies perceive depth through motion parallax, which refers to the fact that objects closer to the baby appear to move more quickly than objects further away when the baby moves their head or body. This allows the baby to perceive depth and distances in their environment. Binocular parallax, texture gradient, size constancy, and perspective cues all contribute to depth perception, but motion parallax is the mechanism specifically highlighted by Gibson and Walk.

Question 9

Is perception of depth in the visual cliff related to the baby's ability to move under her own volition?

Accepted Answer

According to Campos, Bertenthal, and Kermoian (1992), the perception of depth in the visual cliff is related to the baby's ability to move under her own volition, as self-produced locomotion plays a role in the development of depth perception.

Question 10

The main finding of Bower's (1965) study was that babies:

Accepted Answer

Bower's (1965) study found that babies seemed to recognize the same cube when it was presented at different distances, indicating early perceptual abilities.

Question 11

Slater, Mattock, and Brown (1990) investigated newborns' abilities to perceive depth with a:

Accepted Answer

Preferential looking paradigm is a common method used to assess infants' depth perception. In this paradigm, two stimuli are presented side by side and the researcher assesses which one the infant looks at longer. If the infant can perceive depth, they will look longer at the stimulus with greater depth cues. Therefore, Slater, Mattock, and Brown (1990) likely used this method to assess newborns' depth perception.

Question 12

Bower, Broughton, and Moore (1970) found that infants ______ when an object rapidly approaches.

Accepted Answer

Bower, Broughton, and Moore (1970) found that infants react defensively when an object rapidly approaches. They showed a startle response, as if preparing for a defensive action. Crying, screaming, calling out for their mother, or smiling were not specifically mentioned in the study as responses to a rapidly approaching object.

Question 13

Kellman and Spelke (1983) investigated infants':

Accepted Answer

Kellman and Spelke (1983) studied infants' perception of object unity and their ability to interpret figure and ground, focusing on how infants perceive objects as whole even when parts are occluded.

Question 14

In the testing phase of Kellman and Spelke's (1983) study, infants preferred looking at:

Accepted Answer

During the testing phase of Kellman and Spelke's (1983) study, infants showed a preference for looking at a bar with a break in the middle. This preference suggests that infants are sensitive to changes in contour and perceive continuity as an important factor in the visual world.

Question 15

Slater et al. (1991) principally demonstrated that neonates:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Slater et al. (1991) principally demonstrated that...

Question 16

Fantz (1961) found that infants prefer to look at:

Accepted Answer

Fantz (1961) found that infants show a preference for looking at schematic faces over stimuli with jumbled features, indicating an innate interest in face-like patterns.

Question 17

The preferential looking paradigm is premised on the assumption that babies prefer to look at:

Accepted Answer

The preferential looking paradigm is based on the idea that infants have a natural inclination to prefer looking at new or novel stimuli. This preference for novelty has been observed in numerous studies, where infants will look longer at stimuli that are different from what they have seen before. Therefore, the correct choice would be A, novel things.

Question 18

Findings reported by Carpenter (1975) suggest that babies prefer to look at their mother rather than at a stranger from about the age of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Findings reported by Carpenter (1975) suggest that...

Question 19

Fogel and Melson (1988) used ______ to demonstrate that babies prefer to look at people's eyes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Fogel and Melson (1988) used ______ to...

Question 20

Meltzoff and Moore (1983) demonstrated ______ in 3-month-old infants.

Accepted Answer

Meltzoff and Moore demonstrated in their study that 3-month-old infants were capable of imitation, which was a groundbreaking finding at the time. They showed that infants could imitate facial expressions and gestures that they had just observed in adults, suggesting that infants have a rudimentary ability to understand the intentions and actions of others from a very early age.

Quiz 10: Developing an Ability to See the World