Feature detection cannot explain how you can ____.
A) perceive the same sounds as "I scream" sometimes and "ice cream" at other times
B) identify a new Honda automobile as a car, even if you had never seen that particular model before
C) recognize a friend you have not seen in several years
D) identify a black poodle as a poodle, even if you had previously seen only white poodles

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Feature detection is limited to identifying specific features in sensory input, such as lines and angles in visual information. It cannot account for complex processes such as speech recognition and language comprehension, which involve higher-level cognitive processes. The phenomenon described in option A, where the same sounds can be perceived as different words based on context, is an example of language comprehension beyond feature detection.

Answer: C 
 Recognizing a friend involves much more than just simple feature detection. It involves memory retrieval, social cues, and higher-order cognitive processes such as facial recognition and emotional recognition. These processes cannot be explained solely through feature detection.

Answer: D 
 While recognizing a specific poodle as a poodle may involve feature detection (such as identifying specific fur patterns or body shapes), recognizing that a black poodle is still a poodle despite its color requires additional cognitive processes beyond basic feature detection. These may include categorization and generalization abilities, which allow us to identify similarities between different objects or concepts.

Therefore, the best choices are A and C.

Feature Detection Cannot Explain How You Can ____