Question 1

Processing that is controlled by the physical message delivered to the senses is:

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing refers to the processing of sensory information that is based on the physical features of the stimulus. It is also known as data-driven processing, as it begins with the sensory input and works its way up to higher-level processing. In contrast, top-down processing involves higher-level cognitive processing that is guided by prior knowledge, expectations, and context. Figure-to-ground processing involves separating a visual scene into a figure (the object of interest) and its background. Opponent processing refers to the mechanism by which the brain processes color information.

Question 2

When the individual elements of a stimulus determine your perception of that stimulus, you are using:

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing is a type of sensory processing that relies on the individual elements of a stimulus to determine perception. This contrasts with top-down processing, which utilizes higher-level cognitive processes such as expectations and context to influence perception. Figure-to-ground processing involves separating an object or figure from its background, while opponent processing refers to the way that certain sensory receptors respond in opposite ways to different types of stimuli, such as colors or light-dark contrasts.

Question 3

According to the opponent-process theory of color vision, you should predict that cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus that are activated when the eye is stimulated by yellow light will be inhibited when the eye is stimulated by light that is:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the opponent-process theory of color...

Question 4

Each of the three cone photopigments responds most to different wavelengths of light.These data best support:

Accepted Answer

The fact that each of the three cone photopigments responds best to different wavelengths of light supports the trichromatic theory. This theory proposes that color vision is based on the combination of signals from three types of cones that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light - short, medium, and long wavelengths. The brain then processes these signals to produce the perception of all the colors in the visible spectrum.

Question 5

Bottom-up processing involves:

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up processing involves the sensory analysis of the actual environmental message, starting with basic features and building up to a complete perception of an object or stimulus.

Question 6

Walter was working in the chemistry lab when there was a small explosion and a flash of red.For several seconds Walter reported seeing spots before his eyes.Based on opponent-process theory, you should predict that the color of the spots that Walter saw was:

Accepted Answer

According to the opponent-process theory, the human visual system interprets color in an antagonistic way, with pairs of colors opposing each other: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. If Walter saw a flash of red, the afterimage or spots he would see according to this theory would be the opposing color, which is green.

Question 7

The results from research studies investigating the way in which the retina encodes information about the color of a visual stimulus support the theory of color vision known as:

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory, also known as the Young-Helmholtz theory, suggests that the human eye has three types of photoreceptors that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light and combine to create the perception of color. This theory is supported by research on the retina's encoding of color information.

Question 8

Sarah had some professional portraits taken, and the photographer used a blue flash.For several seconds after each shot Sarah saw spots before her eyes.Based on opponent-process theory, you should predict that the color of the spots that Sarah saw was:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sarah had some professional portraits taken, and...

Question 9

At the rock concert she attended over the weekend, Veronica noticed that when the red and green spotlights overlapped they seemed to change to a yellow spotlight.This can be explained using the principles of:

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon can be explained using the principles of additive color mixing, where overlapping of red and green spotlights create a yellow spotlight. Subtractive color mixing involves mixing pigments or dyes, while complementary colors refer to colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel. Hypercomplex feature detection is not related to color mixing.

Question 10

The key idea behind the opponent-process theory of color vision is that:

Accepted Answer

The opponent-process theory of color vision suggests that cells in the visual system respond to colors in an opponent manner, such that increased activation of cells that respond to one color (e.g. red) would decrease activation of cells that respond to its opponent color (e.g. green). This theory proposes that colors are processed in three opponent pairs: red vs. green, blue vs. yellow, and black vs. white.

Question 11

Television sets are able to recreate the entire visible spectrum by additively mixing three primary colors.This process is similar to the view of human color vision called

Accepted Answer

The process of mixing three primary colors to create the full range of visible colors is consistent with the trichromatic theory of color vision, which states that the human eye has three types of color receptors that are most sensitive to different wavelengths of light corresponding to red, green, and blue. This theory explains how we are able to see millions of colors through a combination of signals from these three types of receptors.

Question 12

Based on the opponent-process theory of color vision, you could predict that if an individual stared at a picture of the American flag then shifted his or her eyes to a white surface, the afterimage of the flag would appear to be:

Accepted Answer

The opponent-process theory of color vision suggests that colors are perceived through the operation of opposing pairs of colors: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. Staring at the American flag, which is red, white, and blue, would fatigue the red and blue color receptors, leading to an afterimage in the opposing colors. Thus, red would appear as green, and blue would appear as yellow in the afterimage, with white remaining unchanged because it does not have an opponent color.

Question 13

Based on the opponent-process theory of color vision, you could predict that if an individual stared at a red square and then shifted his or her eyes to a white surface, the afterimage of the square would appear to be:

Accepted Answer

According to the opponent-process theory, color vision is based on three opposed pairs of colors: red vs. green, blue vs. yellow, and black vs. white. Staring at a red square for a prolonged period would cause the cells that respond to red to become fatigued, while the cells that respond to green would become more active. Thus, when the eyes are shifted to a white surface, the afterimage would appear as green, the opposite color.

Question 14

Clarence was working in the chemistry lab when there was a small explosion and a flash of yellow.For several seconds Clarence saw blue spots before his eyes.This is best explained using the theory of color vision known as the:

Accepted Answer

The opponent-process theory best explains this phenomenon, as it suggests that colors are perceived through the operation of opposing pairs of colors: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. After staring at a bright yellow flash, the blue-yellow opponent process would be temporarily unbalanced, leading Clarence to see blue spots.

Question 15

Currently, the best description of the way in which color is encoded in the visual pathways is that color vision:

Accepted Answer

The current understanding of color vision is that it begins with a trichromatic process in the cones of the retina, which detect red, green, and blue light wavelengths. The information is then processed in the visual pathways and eventually converted to an opponent process when it reaches certain cells in the retina and brain that respond to pairs of colors (red/green, blue/yellow, black/white) in an antagonistic way. Therefore, color vision begins as a trichromatic process in the retina and later switches to an opponent process.

Question 16

According to one theory of color vision, colors are signaled in pairs by neurons that fire faster to one color and slower to another color.This theory is known as the:

Accepted Answer

The theory described in the question, where colors are signaled in pairs by neurons that fire faster to one color and slower to another color, is known as the opponent-process theory. This theory posits that there are three pairs of opposing color channels: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white.

Question 17

Evidence that some cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus fire with an increased frequency when the eye is stimulated by red light, and fire with a decreased frequency when the eye is stimulated by green light, most directly supports the theory of color vision known as the:

Accepted Answer

The firing of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus that increase with red light and decrease with green light is a key piece of evidence in support of the opponent-process theory of color vision. This theory proposes that there are three types of color receptor cells in our eyes that work in opposing pairs: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. Hence, the firing of the cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus can be explained by the mechanism of opponent color processing. The trichromatic theory, on the other hand, proposes that color vision is based on the existence of three types of cones in our eyes that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, while the frequency theory and gate-control theory are theories of pain perception and not related to color vision.

Question 18

Hering's opponent-process theory suggests that visual receptors are linked in pairs.The opposing pairs that he suggested were:

Accepted Answer

Hering's opponent-process theory suggests that there are three opposing pairs of visual receptors: red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white. This means that when one member of the pair is stimulated, the other is inhibited, creating an opposite effect. The choice of red-green and blue-yellow pairs is supported by experimental evidence, while the black-white pair is less well-established but still generally accepted. Option A has a red-yellow pair instead of a red-green pair, while option B has a yellow-white pair instead of a blue-yellow pair. Option D has a green-yellow pair instead of a red-green pair and a red-blue pair instead of a blue-yellow pair. Thus, option C is the best choice.

Question 19

Based on opponent-process theory of color vision, you should predict that cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus that are inhibited when the eye is stimulated by green light will be activated when the eye is stimulated by:

Accepted Answer

According to the opponent-process theory, visual perception of colors is based on three opposing pairs: Red versus Green, Blue versus Yellow, and Black versus White. When a color is perceived, it excites one member of the pair and inhibits the other. In this case, if cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus are inhibited by green light, they should be excited by the opposing color, which is red light. Therefore, the best choice is B) Red light.

Question 20

Currently, our perception of color can best be explained using:

Accepted Answer

Trichromatic theory explains the encoding of color information in the cones of the retina, while opponent-process theory explains the processing of color information in the visual cortex. Both theories work together to explain our perception of color, as color is not simply encoded in the cones but also processed and compared in the brain.

Quiz 5: Sensation and Perception