Question 1

Suppose a country-and-western song were titled, "(If You See Me Gettin' Smaller) I Ain't Shrinkin', I'm Leavin'." This title references the depth cue of relative size.

Accepted Answer

The reference to "getting smaller" implies a change in relative size, which is a depth cue.

Question 2

The phantom limb phenomenon is really just an urban legend.

Accepted Answer

The phantom limb phenomenon is a real neurological phenomenon where individuals continue to experience sensations or pain in a limb that has been amputated or lost. It is not an urban legend.

Question 3

Distinguish between data-based and knowledge-based processing. Provide an original example of knowledge-based processing in perception. Your example may be based directly on your own experience, or it may be simply hypothetical but plausible.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Distinguish between data-based and knowledge-based processing. Provide...

Question 4

Nurture plays little if any role in the development of perceptual constancy.

Accepted Answer

Perceptual constancy, the ability to perceive objects as having the same size, shape, and color despite changes in perspective, distance, and lighting, is influenced by both nature and nurture factors. While innate visual processing mechanisms contribute to perceptual constancy, experience and learning also play a crucial role in shaping our perceptual systems, particularly during critical periods of development. Cultural and environmental factors can also influence the way we perceive objects, as evidenced by studies on visual illusions and cultural differences in perception.

Question 5

Endorphins may work to counteract substance P.

Accepted Answer

Endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body, have been shown to inhibit the release of substance P, a neuropeptide that is involved in the transmission of pain signals. Therefore, endorphins can work to counteract substance P and reduce pain perception.

Question 6

Motion sickness may occur when visual information conflicts with kinesthetic feedback.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Motion sickness may occur when visual information...

Question 7

Retinal disparity is a monocular depth cue.

Accepted Answer

Retinal disparity is a binocular depth cue that occurs because our eyes are separated by a few centimeters, causing the slightly different images that each eye sees to be combined in the brain to create depth perception.

Question 8

Infants can perceive stroboscopic motion.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that infants as young as 2 months old can perceive stroboscopic motion, also known as the phi phenomenon. This is the perception of movement created by rapidly flashing images in succession.

Question 9

Define and provide original examples from your own experience of (a) an absolute threshold; (b) a difference threshold; and (c) adaptation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define and provide original examples from your...

Question 10

Cathy is at the symphony. The notes played by the string instruments seem to stand out as a group from the sounds of the other instruments, illustrating the principle of proximity.

Accepted Answer

The principle being illustrated is similarity, not proximity. Similarity refers to the tendency to group similar elements together, in this case, the similar sounds of the string instruments. Proximity refers to the tendency to group elements together based on their physical closeness to each other.

Question 11

Universities no longer sponsor research on ESP.

Accepted Answer

Many universities and research institutions around the world continue to sponsor and conduct research on various aspects of extrasensory perception (ESP) and related phenomena, although the topic remains controversial and is not as widely studied as more mainstream scientific subjects.

Question 12

The phenomenon of perceptual set demonstrates the importance of knowledge-based processes in perception.

Accepted Answer

Perceptual set refers to the influence of personal expectations, biases, and knowledge on our perception of sensory information. It demonstrates that our previous experiences and knowledge can shape the way we perceive and interpret incoming sensory information. Therefore, knowledge-based processes play a significant role in perception.

Question 13

The Müller-Lyer illusion is a purely data-based effect.

Accepted Answer

The Müller-Lyer illusion is a purely perceptual effect and not based solely on data. It is caused by the brain's interpretation of visual stimuli, particularly with regard to depth perception and spatial orientation.

Question 14

Linear perspective refers to the fact that parallel lines appear to converge with increasing distance.

Accepted Answer

Linear perspective is a fundamental concept in art where it creates an illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface, such as a painting or drawing. This is achieved by using converging lines that recede into the distance, creating the impression of a vanishing point where all parallel lines appear to meet. Therefore, it is true that parallel lines appear to converge with increasing distance, making option A the correct answer.

Question 15

Explain how the physical properties of the light reflected by an object contribute to the perception of its color.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how the physical properties of the...

Question 16

According to the closure principle, people fill in gaps in perception.

Accepted Answer

The closure principle states that people tend to perceive incomplete figures as complete in order to perceive meaningful, recognizable forms. This is a well-established concept in psychology and perception research.

Question 17

Gibson and Walk's research indicated that depth perception is overwhelmingly innate.

Accepted Answer

Gibson and Walk's "visual cliff" experiment suggested that depth perception is largely innate, as even infants and young animals showed hesitation to cross a perceived drop-off, indicating an inherent ability to perceive depth.

Question 18

The Gestalt psychologists were mainly interested in visual illusions.

Accepted Answer

Gestalt psychologists focused on how people perceive and interpret patterns and objects as whole units, not just on visual illusions. They studied the principles of organization in perception, emphasizing the holistic processing of sensory information.

Question 19

There is no scientific evidence to support extrasensory perception (ESP).

Accepted Answer

ESP, also known as sixth sense or psychic ability, has not been supported by any scientific evidence or research.

Question 20

Pain gates may be closed not only from the bottom up, but also from the top down.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Pain gates can be closed by both descending (top-down) and ascending (bottom-up) mechanisms. Descending mechanisms involve the brain releasing natural painkillers, such as endorphins, to inhibit pain signals.

Quiz 3: Biology and Behavior